AS Myanmar national athletes continue to compete in the 33rd South-East Asia (SEA) Games hosted by Thailand, the final group of athletes, Myanmar’s wrestling team, departed for Thailand yesterday morning from Yangon International Airport.
The wrestling competitions will be held from 17 to 19 December in Chonburi, Thailand. The Myanmar national wrestling team will compete in both Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling events.
“Our team consists of a total of 11 members, including one foreign coach, one Myanmar coach, one team administrator, five male athletes, and three female athletes. We will compete in both Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling events. We are all ready for the SEA Games. We selected experienced athletes and young talents, and conducted a training camp in April under the Wrestling Federation. We practised in India in October, and we are all active mentally and physically. Being the last group, we, the wrestling team, will grab gold medals,” said Daw Thida Mon, head of the wrestling team.
Male athletes will compete in both Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling events, while the female athletes will compete in freestyle events.
“For the SEA Games, we trained intensively not only in Myanmar but also in India with a combined team of Indian and Myanmar coaches. I also have experience in judo, which I have integrated with wrestling techniques to prepare as best as possible. I will compete in the women’s freestyle 53-kilogramme category. I have studied the condition of my opponents as well. Although competitions always involve wins and losses, I expect to compete at my best and for a gold medal,” said Ma Khin Khin Su, a female wrestler.
Although Myanmar did not participate in wrestling at the previous two SEA Games, the federation has carefully formed a team of veteran athletes and new-generation wrestlers, training them both domestically and abroad with internationally experienced coaches. As a result, the team is well prepared to win medals for the country at this SEA Games.
“I will compete in the Greco-Roman 97-kilogramme category. I have trained well with foreign coaches, and in India, I trained alongside world champions, which has given me strong confidence. My main competitors will be from Vietnam and Indonesia. My event is scheduled for 17 December, and I have prepared thoroughly, intending to achieve the highest award, gold medal,” said Ko Zaw Zaw Aung. — Thitsa (MNA)/KTZH
