Tiếng ViệtVovinam, also known as Vietnamese Martial Arts, has been rapidly growing and gaining popularity in various districts and cities across the nation. This martial art is not just a sport; it offers numerous benefits to practitioners of all ages, from improving health, self-defense skills to shaping character and fostering discipline.
Athletes competing in the Provincial Vovinam Championship in 2022.
The Vovinam training movement, alongside other martial arts like Karate and Taekwondo, continues to flourish and strengthen in the province. The official establishment of the Vovinam – Vietnamese Martial Arts Club in June 2011 and the formation of the provincial Vovinam Federation in 2021 have laid a solid foundation for its development. Although Vovinam was relatively unfamiliar to the public initially, a few core Vovinam clubs paved the way for the establishment of additional base clubs. Currently, the Provincial Vovinam Federation boasts over 500 members and more than 15 Vovinam clubs. Eight districts and cities have set up clubs recognized by the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism as members of the provincial Vovinam Federation. Notably, the Luong Son District Club has the highest number of members, with nearly 100 individuals. Despite facing various challenges, many clubs demonstrate a strong commitment to investing in training equipment, such as protective gear, human dummy, sports weapons, and mats. Numerous members actively engage in training and competitions, achieving remarkable results in provincial and regional tournaments. Notable individuals include Nguyen Thi Thanh Thao and Nguyen Chau Anh from the Hoa Binh City Club, as well as Nguyễn Viet Hoang and Nguyen Bich Ngoc from the Luong Son District Club.
In recent times, the Vovinam training movement has attracted a large number of people to participate, regardless of age or gender, thereby promoting mass sports movements in localities. Since 2015, Vovinam has been included in competitions between schools and the Department of Education and Training at the district and city levels, known as the Provincial Vovinam Student Championship. Especially in 2022, Vovinam became an official competitive sport included in the program of the 7th Provincial Sports Festival.
The Provincial Vovinam Championship, organized by the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in Hoa Binh in 2022, showcased the talent and dedication of over 90 athletes from nine districts and cities. These participants competed fiercely for 12 sets of medals. Luong Son District, known for its strong Vovinam training movement, showcased many young and talented athletes from middle and high schools. The district has consistently achieved impressive results in provincial tournaments, including an overall first-place finish in the 2nd expanded Provincial Vovinam Club Championship in 2019. In the 2022 Provincial Vovinam Championship, Luong Son District fielded 18 athletes, all of whom were exceptional members from the district’s two Vovinam clubs. Their outstanding performance resulted in 6 gold medals, 5 silver medals, and 3 bronze medals for Luong Son District.
Mr. Bach Ngoc Thanh, an official from the District Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, praised the training and development of talented young Vovinam athletes in Lương Sơn District. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, these athletes performed admirably in the tournament, bringing home numerous valuable medals for the district. As a coach, Thanh expressed great satisfaction with their achievements.
Mr. Nguyen Duc Quan, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the provincial Vovinam Federation, stated, “In the coming period, to ensure the strong and solid development of Vovinam throughout the province, the Provincial Vovinam Federation has set forth the direction and tasks for the 2021-2026 term. This includes implementing a comprehensive range of solutions with specific and effective activities in terms of organization, professional management, and the promotion of the Vovinam movement. It also involves training and building the workforce, organizing competitions, and participating in domestic and international tournaments.”
(Source: Linh Nhat – Hoa Binh Newspaper)