Despite challenges resulting from the coronavirus crisis, the Da Nang kickboxing team gained certain successes last year, and brought home 3 golds from Viet Nam's National Kickboxing Championship 2020.

Dinh Do Na (in blue boxing helmet) is one of the best athletes in both boxing and kickboxing teams in Da Nang

Such achievements were mainly attributed to relentless efforts made by local athletes, and reasonable and effective adjustments in training methods by the team’s coaching board.

For a long time, members of Da Nang boxing team have been participating in kickboxing events. Despite their outstanding achievements in such Vietnamese national sporting events, but most of kickboxers have suffered very bad injuries because boxing and kickboxing may sound similar but they are entirely separate sports with very different rules and regulations.

The main difference is that in kickboxing, both hands and feet can be used, but only hands are allowed in boxing. In addition, kickboxing involves punches and kicks, while boxing entails punches and blocks.

Since being assigned to lead boxing and kickboxing teams in Da Nang in 2019, coach Huynh Van Tuan has adjusted his training lessons and instructed his trainees how to block their opponents' kicks effectively and to prevent themselves from unfortunate injuries.

Besides, super-effective kickboxing moves have been introduced to local athletes to help them get the best possible results in their matches.

Coach Tuan’s persistence and great efforts have been paid off as boxers Vo Thi Trinh, Nguyen Minh Hoang and Dinh Do Na bagged 3 golds in Viet Nam's National Kickboxing Championship 2020.

This year, coach Tuan plans to let such promising boxers as Vo Thi Trinh and Dinh Van Thi focus on the boxing team in order to prepare for the National Physical Exercise and Sports Festival 2022.

“Apart from key kickboxers namely Tran Minh Cong, Duong Thanh Hung and Luong Ngoc Thanh, I plan to transfer boxers with good footwork to the kickboxing team to build a strong and professional team in the time to come. In addition, the recruitment of new female kickboxers will be part of this year’s plan” Mr Tuan revealed.

By NGUYEN AN - Translated by M.D