General Staff kicks off unarmed martial arts tournament

A performance at the opening ceremony

The tournament attracts the participation of more than 600 martial arts practitioners and coaches from 29 martial arts clubs of provincial and municipal military commands under Military Regions 3, 7, 9, the Commando Corps, Army Officer Candidate School No.1, and Army Officer Candidate School No.2.

During the event, participating martial arts practitioners will compete in different weight classes following sparring format. Male athletes are divided into two groups to compete in nine weight classes, while female participants are in four groups to compete in six weight classes.  

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Director of the Department of Military Training under the General Staff Major General Bui Hong Quang emphasized the significance of the tournament. He said that the unarmed martial arts tournament in 2022 is to evaluate the martial arts clubs’ outcomes in unarmed martial arts training and encourage clubs to promote martial arts training movements to improve troops’ health and raise the combat power of the military.

Competitions take place right after the opening ceremony.

Major General Bui Hong Quang added that the tournament is an opportunity for participating athletes to exchange and acquire more experience from their peers and enhance the martial spirit of the nation. It is also to popularize the spirit and quintessence of national martial arts and military strength of Vietnam to both domestic and international friends and select best athletes for military martial arts teams to participate in national and international tournaments.

The tournament will run until August 10. The organizing panel will present gold, silver, and bronze medals to outstanding athletes of different weight classes and flags and cups to clubs with best performance during the event.

Translated by Tran Hoai