Nguyen Giang Son and Tran Quang Bu Win Gold in Italy
Nguyen Giang Son and Tran Quang Bu each won gold medals in their respective weight classes at a Vietnamese traditional martial arts competition held in Italy from Sept. 30 to Oct. 5.
600 Participants Compete in World Championships
The event served as a series of competitions, seminars, and training exchanges organized by the World Federation of Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts in cooperation with the Wushu Kung Fu and Vietnam-Italy Martial Arts Federation. The centerpieces of the program were the 2026 World Championships and Junior Championships for Vietnamese traditional martial arts. More than 500 coaches and athletes competed across various age groups in 378 different events, spanning both performance (poomsae) and combat categories.
Nguyen Giang Son Dominates 68kg Division
Nguyen Giang Son, a native of Da Nang, secured the gold medal in the men’s 68kg combat category. Son’s path to the title began with a victory over an Italian athlete from the host nation. He maintained this momentum through the subsequent rounds, defeating opponents from Nigeria and Saudi Arabia to claim the top spot on the podium.
Tran Quang Bu Secures 60kg Title
In the men’s 60kg combat division, Tran Quang Bu earned the gold medal. Bu reached the top of the podium after defeating competitors from Italy and Burkina Faso, utilizing decisive strikes to secure his victories.
Vietnam Deploys 83-Member Delegation
The Vietnamese traditional martial arts delegation consisted of 83 total members, including officials, referees, coaches, and athletes. Of this group, 40 athletes were selected based on their previous high-level performances in domestic and international competitions. The gold medals won by Son and Bu contributed to the overall success of the national team and established the standing of Da Nang’s traditional martial arts on a global stage.
Training Shifts to 10th National Games
Coach Huynh Duc Bey stated that athletes will maintain intense training following the Italy competition. The immediate focus for the team is the 10th National Games scheduled for the end of the year, while long-term preparations continue for the next major international event in 2026.
Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts in Italy
- Event Dates: Sept. 30 – Oct. 5
- Total Participants: 600 from 45 countries
- Combat Gold Medalists: Nguyen Giang Son (68kg), Tran Quang Bu (60kg)
- Vietnam Delegation Size: 83 members (40 athletes)
- Next Major Goal: 10th National Games (Year-end)
Common Questions About the Italy Martial Arts Event
Which countries did the Vietnamese athletes face in the finals?
Nguyen Giang Son defeated athletes from Italy, Nigeria, and Saudi Arabia to win the 68kg gold. Tran Quang Bu defeated opponents from Italy and Burkina Faso to secure the 60kg title.
Who organized the traditional martial arts championships?
The event was hosted by the World Federation of Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts in collaboration with the Wushu Kung Fu and Vietnam-Italy Martial Arts Federation.
How many events were contested during the championships?
There were 378 different competitions involving poomsae and combat, with over 500 athletes and coaches participating across different age groups.
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