The previous rules of the SEA Games allowed participating countries to register two weightlifters for a single weightlifting category.  However, the host country of this year’s event, Myanmar, has issued its own rules which permit only one weightlifter to compete.

Viet Nam can therefore only select one of their two outstanding athletes to compete in the men’s 56kg category.  They are world bronze medallist Thach Kim Tuan from Ho Chi Minh City, and SEA Games champion Tran Le Quoc Toan from Da Nang.

The Deputy Head of the National Sports Administration, Mr Lam Quang Thanh, said that participating countries can in fact register two weightlifters for each category, but they are only allowed to choose one to compete.   

Viet Nam can select only one of the two outstanding athletes Kim Tuan and Quoc Toan to compete in the men’s 56kg category

“This new rule is no different from the registration of only one weightlifter.  We are considering options to ensure optimal opportunities for Vietnamese weightlifters to gain medals." said Mr Thanh.

This makes the selection of the athlete to represent Viet Nam in the men’s 56 kg category very difficult.  Currently, both of Viet Nam’s weightlifters have the ability to win the gold medal in this weight category. 

The head of the weightlifting division, Mr Do Dinh Khang, says: “Both Toan and Tuan are good, so they will keep practising until the competition day, and both will go to Myanmar.  At that point we will announce our selection, but it needs to be kept secret now because the opponents are very interested in the membership of our team.”

(Source: Danang Today/Viet Nam Net)