The 21st World Military Taekwondo Championship wrapped up at the Military Zone No.7 Sports Complex Centre in Ho Chi Minh City on October 24 after four days.
The tournament attracted participation of more than 220 participants from 34 teams who competed in 16 categories, including combat competition and six performance categories. Eight of the 16 categories were for women.
Under the slogan ‘Friendship through Sports’, the annual tournament promotes sports training in the military of member countries.
Vietnam had been hoping to win the right to host the tournament since 2004.
As the host nation, Vietnam was represented by 34 athletes. Among them were the trio of Nguyen Thi Thu Ngan, Chau Tuyet Van and Nguyen Thi Le Kim, expected to take the title in the women's team performance. They have been the defending world and Asia champions.
In the combat events, Nguyen Kim Long (under 50kg) Doan Thi Huong Giang (U50kg) and Nguyen Thanh Thao (U52kg) were also medal hopefuls.
Vietnam's best result was two silver medals at the 2010 and 1998 events. This year the host team hopes to end the tournament in the top 15 overall medal tally.
The host Vietnam ranked first with three gold and one silver medal in the demonstration team event for both men and women.
In the women’s combat team event, China was placed first with 8 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals and Iran was second with 3 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze, although the latter ranked first in the men’s combat team event.
The International Military Sports Council (IMSC) has announced that the 22nd World Military Taekwondo Championship will be held in the US.
