Lao wrestlers to compete in int'l championships in 2017

Lao junior and open level wrestling teams will compete in three international championships in neighboring countries this year.

Three men's U16 wrestlers in the 58, 60 and 75kg categories will take part in a championship in Thailand during July. The three athletes are currently training at the Lao National Sport Training Center in Lao capital Vientiane, Lao Wrestling Federation Secretary Manolom Phinith said Thursday.

Meanwhile, the men's open level team will compete at a wrestling championships in the Philippines in August and then another in Vietnam in October.

Manolom said unfortunately the national team will not compete at the 29th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games this year because hosts Malaysia have not included any wrestling events.

"In addition, we are not ready for women wrestlers to compete at the other regional events this year," he said.

However, the federation plans to support the wrestling event at next year's 11th National Games in Lao northern Xiengkhuang province.

The Lao wrestling team was unsuccessful at the Southeast Asian Wrestling Championship in Cambodia in December 2016 and went without medals at the Fifth Asian Beach Games in Vietnam in 2016.

At the 22nd SEA Games in Vietnam in 2003, the Lao wrestling team won a bronze medal. At the 23rd SEA Games in the Philippines in 2005, the team achieved the same result.

At the 26th SEA Games in Indonesia in 2011, the Lao team won three bronze medals while at the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar in 2013, Lao athletes won one gold, two silver and five bronze medals. Endit