HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese boxers are ready to fight in the Asian Games (ASIAD) in Indonesia today.

The team includes three male boxers, namely Nguyễn Văn Chung, Trần Đức Thọ, Trần Văn Thảo, and three females Lừu Thị Duyên, Nguyễn Thị Tâm and Vương Thị Vỹ.

Among them, Thảo and Tâm are Việt Nam’s golden hopes. Thảo won the WBC Asia Super Flyweight title last November, while Tâm recently made Vietnamese history as the first Vietnamese female boxer to win an Asian title.

During Thảo’s career, he has won all 10 of his fights, with seven coming from knock-outs in the men’s 52kg category.

“I and my team have had intensive training in Thailand and now we are ready to fight in Indonesia. For me, every rival is strong so I will try to beat each rival to reach the final,” Thảo added.

Vietnamese boxers took part in the ASIAD for the first time in 1990. At the ASIAD 2014 in South Korea, Vietnamese boxers only brought home bronze medals thanks to female boxers Lê Thị Bằng in the under 50kg and Lừu Thị Duyên in 60kg category.

“I often train and play with all my heart. I only want to touch the ASIAD gold medal. I will try my best for my country and Việt Nam’s boxing,” said Thảo.

Meanwhile, Asian champion Tâm said she will also make every effort to win.

“I am very comfortable now. My coaches, especially Nguyễn Như Cường, created a plan for me to train and rest reasonably to ensure I’m in the best physical condition to compete in Indonesia,” said Tâm.

“We have talented boxers who will compete to bring glory to the nation. However, the Việt Nam Boxing Federation (VBF) hasn’t set any targets to avoid causing pressure for them. But I believe the ASIAD this year is a great chance for them to prove their position in the region,” said Trần Minh Tiến, chairman of VBF.

Before heading to Indonesia, the VBF also announced that every ASIAD gold medal winner will receive VNĐ100 million (US$4,350), while silver and bronze medal winners will get VNĐ60 million ($2,600) and VNĐ40 million ($1,700), respectively.

Besides Tâm and Thảo, both Duyên and Vỹ have experience in international events and won silvers at the Asian championship last year, while Chung and Thọ are elite boxers of HCM City. — VNS