Myanmar athletes are heading to Thailand to compete in the XXXIII South-East Asia Games, hosted across Bangkok, Chonburi, and Chiang Mai. The national delegation includes competitors in men’s volleyball, boxing, archery, wushu, pencak silat, e-sports, and women’s weightlifting. Officials and coaches accompanied the athletes as they departed from Yangon by air yesterday morning.
BOXER May Thazin Phoo said, “We have prepared extensively for the competition. Weight management is key, and I have focused on perfecting every technical detail. I won silver at last year’s SEA Games in Cambodia, and this year we aim for gold”.
ARCHERY athlete Pyae Soe Lin shared, “I started archery in 2015 and have been a national team member for seven years. I have trained intensively for these SEA Games to improve upon my past performance. I will compete in both Compound and Recurve events, having trained at the camp for two years to achieve top results”.
PENCAK Silat athlete Shin Htet Aung said, “I discovered Pencak Silat through regional competitions, guided by my coach, who was also a national champion. I will use my skills to overcome my competitors and aim for gold”.
WOMEN’S weightlifting athlete Zin May Oo added, “I will compete in the 48-kilogramme category. Preparation has taken two years, with daily training intensifying as the competition approaches. I previously won gold at the SEA Games in Cambodia, and I aim to perform my best again”.
Officials also highlighted the athletes’ preparation efforts.
BOXING Team Manager U Wunna stated, “Although this is the athletes’ first major SEA Games, we invited the president of the Asian Boxing Federation and a Japanese coach, a 66-kilogramme champion, for training.
Eight athletes and three officials will compete across all weight classes from 13 to 16 December, aiming for gold”.
ARCHERY Team Manager Daw Aye Aye Thin noted, “We have been preparing since August 2023, selecting the best athletes through competitions. Fourteen athletes, including seven men and seven women, will compete individually and in teams from 13 December onwards, aiming for medals”.
PENCAK Silat Team Manager U Htein Lin added, “Athletes were selected from regions nationwide and trained for eleven months. Fourteen athletes will compete in nine events from 13 to 17 December. We are fully prepared and confident of winning gold for Myanmar”.
WOMEN’S Weightlifting Team Manager U Ugga Aye said, “Seven athletes will compete across seven weight classes. Training began in October 2023, with athletes selected nationwide. Continuous monitoring ensures high-quality performance, and we aim to return with gold medals for Myanmar”.
The Myanmar delegation is poised to showcase its skills and win honours at the XXXIII South-East Asia Games, continuing the country’s tradition of strong performances in regional sports competitions. — Zaw Min Latt/Thiha/KZL
