MYANMAR athletes representing the country at the Southeast Asian Games have continued departing for Thailand. Thailand is hosting the XXXIII South-East Asian Games, and Myanmar athletes have been leaving in groups since 30 November. Yesterday morning, track and field athletes flew to Bangkok, while judo and karate athletes travelled to Songkhla with their officials and coaches. Before their departure, the athletes and team officials spoke about their preparations.
Ma Aye Aye Aung, judo athlete, said: “I went to Japan in September and trained for a month with Japanese judo athletes. I have prepared by analysing my opponents’ styles and techniques. I will compete in the under-28-kilogramme category. I especially studied videos of the Thai judo athlete I usually meet in the semi-finals and finals, focusing on how to counter her strengths and weaknesses. This will be my last competition, so I will give everything to win a gold medal.”
Maung Htet Aung, judo athlete, said: “I have trained to achieve the best possible result. I have been in a training camp for two and a half years and have competed in several events during that time, so I expect a strong performance this year. Thailand is the main opponent and the defending champion. I studied their previous matches and will compete at my best to win a gold medal. Please support us”.
U Maung Maung Htwe Oo, judo team administrator, said: “We selected five female and eight male athletes for the 33rd South-East Asian Games. They are reliable athletes. This year, only four female weight categories were included. For individual events, there will be four female categories and five male categories, nine in total. For kata, there will be one female and one male category. The kata events will take place on the tenth, the individual events on the twelfth and thirteenth, and the final event on the fourteenth. We especially expect medals from the women”.
U Kyaw Htoo Aung, track and field team leader, said: “Twenty-one people, including officials, coaches, and athletes, will take part. We have continued training since the Cambodia Games. We will compete in the decathlon, marathon, race walk, and all other track and field disciplines. The competitions will be held from 10 to 16 December, and we will compete in twenty-two men’s and women’s events. Track and field is a sport where new records matter, and we selected those who won first, second, and third places at the 32nd Cambodia Games, along with promising athletes. I believe we will achieve strong results”.
U Kyaw Kyaw Moe, karate team administrator, said: “We began training under the national programme on 1 June 2024. Promising athletes were selected again through the National Sports Festival, and training continued. After the selection stages, nine final athletes were chosen. Our team includes one official, three coaches, five male athletes, and four female athletes. Three male athletes will compete in team kata; two male and four female athletes will compete individually according to their weight categories; and the four women will also compete in the team event. The competitions will begin on the eleventh.
“Karate is not a record-based sport, so it is difficult to predict medals. However, based on the draw and the athletes’ training experience, I believe medals are possible. The main opponents are the host, Thailand, as well as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Laos and Cambodia have similar levels to us. We will compete in accordance with the State’s policy of achieving international success. Under the federation president’s guidance, the athletes have received continuous training, international exposure, and coaching from foreign trainers. We made special preparations for these Games. The athletes are confident, and we hope to bring back the best results”. — Zaw Min Latt & Thiha/KZL
