Vietnam's tenacious taekwondo team packs a punch

The seven-member Vietnamese team is one of the smallest delegations among the 113 countries and regions participating at the Chengdu FISU World University Games. However, what they lack in numbers they make up for in the power of their kicks and punches on the taekwondo mat.

"It's the first time for me to compete in China, and I feel very excited," said Nguyen Phan Khanh Han, a taekwondo competitor from Vinh Long province in southern Vietnam.

Han certainly channeled her excitement into the competition as she strode confidently onto the green-and-blue mat at Wangjiang Campus Gymnasium of Sichuan University on Saturday.

She kicked her way through the preliminary round and semifinal for the women's individual poomsae event and ended up winning a bronze medal.

The taekwondo competition at the Chengdu games comprises two disciplines — kyorugi, the most well-known category, involves sparring against a rival, while poomsae features a series of choreographed moves that focus on speed, rhythm, power and flexibility.

"What draws me to the poomsae category is that it involves stronger kicks and flips in the air," said Nguyen, a 22-year-old student at Vietnam National University, majoring in physical education.

She began practicing taekwondo when she was 11.

Six out of seven student-athletes from Vietnam will compete in taekwondo poomsae events in Chengdu.

"In Vietnam and my hometown, a lot of people practice taekwondo as a profession or a leisure activity. It's a very popular sport," she explained.

"From a young age, we begin watching videos, delve into details of movements and just practice for fun at home and outside."

Local Chengdu resident Chen Jin took his 9-year-old daughter, who is learning taekwondo, along to watch the competition on Saturday.

"While cheering on the two Chinese taekwondo athletes, we were also amazed by the performances of contenders from other countries," Chen said.

"My daughter noticed that the Vietnamese girl sported a braided boxing hairstyle and told me that she wanted the same style as well. Although the Vietnamese girl cut a diminutive figure to me, the way she kicked, jumped and shouted on the mat was super strong, like a superwoman."

Han went on to help her team win a bronze medal in the women's team poomsae on Sunday.

"I will continue to work harder and work with my teammates," she said. "Working together as a team, we are bound to be stronger."