Ha Noi, Army stay on top in freestyle

(09-04-2005)

THAI NGUYEN — Equipped with greater skill and strength, wrestlers of the Army and Ha Noi dominated almost all categories in the men freestyle events’ qualifying rounds at the National Wrestling Championship and are expected to take the lion’s share of medals in today’s nine finals.

In the 84kg pool, Man Ba Xuan from the Army team came up against no serious competition. Even national team member Nguyen Van Chinh from Ha Tay couldn’t score a point against him. Xuan won 10-0 to sail t t round.

In the 66kg pool, Nghiem Dinh Son of the Army beat Hanoian Phan Duc Khang 12-8. While his teammate Nguyen Van Duc easily progressed into the next round .

In the 74kg category, young Hanoian wrestler Nguyen Ba Chuc did well, winning 6-3 against defending champion Le Duy Hoi of the Army.

Chuc’s teammate, Vu Dang Dong has one eye on gold following his 7-0 win against Nghiem Xuan Chen of the Army.

Doi Dang Hy, who has recently recovered from injury, met no difficulty, beating Nguyen Van Tinh Minh of Ha Tay after only two minutes in the 60kg category.

The National Wrestling Championship opened in the northern province of Thai Nguyen with the participation of almost 150 wrestlers from 13 teams.

They competed in nine pools from 48kg to 120kg in both Greco Roman and freestyle disciplines. The event concludes today with nine golds up for grabs. — VNS