More than 1,000 young martial artists compete fiercely in Thanh Hoa

VHO - On the evening of June 18, at Lam Son Square (Thanh Hoa City), thousands of spectators warmly applauded to welcome more than 1,000 young martial artists from all over the country to compete in the 26th National Traditional Martial Arts Youth Championship. Not only is it a top martial arts playground, the tournament is also an opportunity to honor the martial spirit, affirming the strong vitality of Vietnamese traditional martial arts in the heart of the heroic Thanh land.

Brilliant stage lights, red flags with yellow stars fluttering in the central square of Thanh Hoa city, the opening ceremony of the 26th National Traditional Martial Arts Youth Championship 2025 has officially kicked off the exciting competition season of young Vietnamese martial arts.

More than 1,000 athletes and coaches from 35 provinces and cities across the country attended the opening ceremony of the 2025 National Traditional Martial Arts Youth Championship at Lam Son Square, Thanh Hoa City. Photo: Anh Tuan

The tournament, organized by the Thanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in coordination with the Department of Physical Training and Sports (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) and the Vietnam Traditional Martial Arts Federation, took place from June 18 to 25 with the participation of more than 1,000 athletes and coaches from 35 provinces, cities and sectors across the country.

Not only is the number of participants large, this year's tournament also marks innovation in content and competition format.

In the boxing event, the fighters competed in three age groups: 6, 10, 11, 14 and 15, 17 with many diverse competitions such as sparring, optional boxing and prescribed boxing.

In particular, for the first time, collective martial arts content by age group was included in the competition program, opening up opportunities for competition and arousing team spirit among young martial artists.

The competition also has a notable innovation when the age groups of 12, 13 and 14, 15 compete on the mat, while the 16, 17 groups compete on the ring floor instead of all age groups competing on the floor like previous seasons.

This is a technical adjustment step suitable for physical strength and age, ensuring safety and increasing professionalism in the organization.

This year's tournament is part of a series of activities responding to the Campaign "All people exercise following the example of great Uncle Ho" for the period 2020-2025.

But more than that, the tournament also carries the hope of spreading the traditional cultural and sports values ​​of Thanh Hoa to friends all over the country. As the cradle of many national sports movements, Thanh Hoa once again affirms its role as a dynamic, responsible and professional host in organizing tournaments of national stature.

Athletes compete in the group boxing event after the opening ceremony. Photo: Anh Tuan

Through the tournament, the organizing committee also aims to comprehensively test and evaluate the professional capacity of the team of coaches, referees and sports officials.

At the same time, select potential athletes to add to the national team, preparing the next generation for future regional and international competitions.

Right after the opening ceremony, the first matches took place with exciting moves, demonstrating technique, speed and solid fighting spirit.

The pounding of drums and cheers, combined with the spirit of "unity - honesty - nobility", created an emotional atmosphere, both encouraging sportsmanship and honoring the beauty of Vietnamese martial arts.

The tournament is expected to end on June 25, with the final matches promising to be tense and dramatic.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/hon-1000-vo-si-tre-tranh-tai-ruc-lua-o-xu-thanh-144129.html