Le Huynh Chau (R) attacks his opponent during a competition
Photo: Tuoi Tre
The journey ahead at the London 2012 Olympics will surely be rough, but taekwondo martial artist Le Huynh Chau said he still sets a target of advancing into the semifinal.
“I’m well confident with my current form,” he told Tuoi Tre after finishing a two-month training trip in Korea in preparation for the Olympics.
“My strength and skills have been much improved from the time I earned a bronze medal at the Asian championships last May.”
Chau and his teammate Chu Hoang Dieu Linh have been trained by former world champion Kang Nam Won, who he said had guided him with the most modern coaching methods.
The martial artists also had the chance to practice with the standardized electronic body protectors that will be officially used at London 2012, he added.
“Now that I’m familiar with the equipment, I have learned the easiest way to fight for score,” said Chau.
But he added that the fact that he was not seeded at the tournament is an issue, as this means he will face strong opponents at the very first matches.
“There are simply no weak rivals at the Olympics, and I have to extend effort to achieve the semifinal target,” said Chau, who is still undergoing a weight-loss process to be suitable to compete at the men 58kg event from his current 60kg.
He will continue practicing with the national taekwondo squad in Hanoi, before leaving for a training trip at France to get accustomed to European time and weather.
The team will fly to London on August 5.