Lao weightlifters lift hopes for SEA Games gold
The weightlifting event to be contested at the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane this December will be a new experience for the Lao weightlifting team.
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Mr Khamphouvong in training. |
Currently 29 men and seven women are training at Phonesavanh Secondary School at the National University of Laos in the hope of winning medals at the games.
The Lao Weightlifting Federation (LWF) will test the athletes' fitness and health before they compete at the games.
The 36 member team was selected by LWF last month, after more than 100 weightlifters from Vientiane vied for selection.
The team has been in training since February under the guidance of three expert coaches from Thailand .
One of the coaches, Mr Prasert Sumpradit, said the Lao national team members were strong and enthusiastic.
He said the athletes' power and strength will increase during the next few months of training.
The LWF plans to send the team to train in Thailand from September to December
Mr Prasert said the training camp will be short but the team and their coaches will make good use of the training.
Mr Prasert is an experienced international weightlifter, having won two SEA Games gold medals for Thailand .
He also won a silver medal in the men's 75 kg category at the Asian Games in Beijing , China , in 1990, becoming the first Thai weightlifter to win a medal at the event.
Mr Khamphouvong Vongsavang is a member of the Lao national weightlifting team. He is 28 years old and lives in Chomemany village, Chanthabouly district, Vientiane .
He trains regularly and also works at the Ministry of National Defence. He is hopeful of competing at the upcoming games.
Miss Kongchay Silavong, 17, is a member of the national squad. She is in her fifth year of study at Phonesavanh Secondary School and was born in Phouxay village, Xanxay district, Attapeu province.
She said the Thai trainers are teaching the national squad good lifting techniques and exercises to strengthen their bodies.
The weightlifting event at the games will consist of eight categories for male athletes: 56, 62, 69, 77, 85, 94, 105 and over 105 kg, and 48, 53, 58, 63, 69, 75, 77 and over 85 kg categories for females.
The Lao National Sports Committee set up the LWF in November last year to raise the sport of weightlifting in Laos to international standards.
By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
March 19, 2009
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