More than 100 martial artists gave a demonstration to a curious crowd at the Faculty of Economics and Business at the National University of Laos on Saturday.

The demonstrators, from the junior and senior categories of various martial arts, comprised 50 judo fighters, and 40 male and 21 female practitioners of aikido. They came from Vietnam , Cambodia , Singapore , Thailand and Laos and performed alongside karatedo teams. They received training for this event from Japanese experts.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Phongsavat Boupha, Deputy Minister of Information and Culture Bouangeun Xaphouvong, Japanese Ambassador to Laos Masaaki Miyashita, presidents of the judo aikido and karatedo federations and senior officials watched the performance along with students.

“It is my great pleasure that the Embassy of Japan is hosting this martial arts demonstration here today. I would like to welcome all guests and thank them for coming to this event,” Mr Miyashita said.

Judo is a traditional Japanese martial art dating back to ancient times along with sumo wrestling. It is renowned for its solid manual movements, without the use of any protective gear or equipment. After the Second World War, it gained an international reputation and was practised by millions of people all over the world. For some time it was included in the Olympic Games.

Karatedo is believed to have its origins in Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture of Japan . Again, it doesn't involve the use of any instruments, but there is more emphasis on striking and kicking.

The birth of aikido is relatively recent, dating back to around the 1920s. This martial art is primarily used for self-defence, rather than for attack. It also attaches great importance to harmony between the body and the mind. These martial arts are not simply physical sports, but also emphasise the importance of discipline and self-control.

Some of the players who demonstrated their skills and expertise on Saturday had won SEA Games' medals.

“I am confident that many more of them will obtain medals in the coming SEA Games in Vientiane later this year,” Mr Miyashita said.

He said the Japanese government was continuously contributing to the development of martial arts in Laos by organising annual events and building the Lao-Japan Budo Centre in Vientiane .

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Lao judo and karatedo federations and the Lao Aikido Club for their valuable collaboration with the Embassy of Japan in organising today's event,” he added.

“It's particularly important to mark this event as part of the Mekong-Japan Exchange Year 2009 programme. I hope you enjoy beautiful and powerful performances by Lao martial artists.”

The national judo team will compete at a judo competition to be held in Thailand on April 4. Teams will also take part in the first Asean Martial Arts competition to be held in Thailand at the end of April.

Judo events in the 25th SEA Games will include eight men's categories (55kg, 60kg, 66kg, 73kg, 81kg, 90kg, 100kg and over 100kg), while the eight women's categories are in the 45, 48, 52, 57, 63, 70, 78 and over 78kg weight divisions.

Karatedo events will consist of male combatants in seven categories (55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg) and women fighters in four (48, 53, 60 and over 60kg).

At the 24th SEA Games held in Thailand last year, the Lao judo team won two gold, one silver and three bronze medals, while the karatedo team won a bronze medal.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes

Labels: 2009, Brunei, Cambodia Vietnam, indonesia singapore, Judo, Karatedo, Laotian, Malaysia, martial arts, Myanmar, Philippines, team, Thailand Vietnam, vientiane game

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DIVING
Aquatics Center, His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary Stadium09:00 10m Platform Women Final13:00 10m Platform Synchronized Men Final
EQUESTRIAN
Horseshoe Point & Thai Polo Club, Pattaya City, Chonburi Province07:00-08:00 Eventing 3rd Horse Inspection09:00-11:30 Eventing Show Jumping 2 Final Test (Team and Individual) Open
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Indoor Stadium 1, His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary Stadium 09:00-11:00 RG Apparatus (Com.III) W Finals09:00-11:00 (Rope & Hoop)12:00-14:00 RG Apparatus (Com.III) W Finals12:00-14:00 (Clubs & Ribbon)

Labels: Badminton, Basketball, Bowling, Cycling, Equestrian, Golf, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Karatedo, Sailing, Tennis, Thailand, Volleyball

DIVING
Aquatics Center, His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary Stadium09:00 10m Platform Women Final13:00 10m Platform Synchronized Men Final
EQUESTRIAN
Horseshoe Point & Thai Polo Club, Pattaya City, Chonburi Province07:00-08:00 Eventing 3rd Horse Inspection09:00-11:30 Eventing Show Jumping 2 Final Test (Team and Individual) Open
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Labels: Badminton, Basketball, Bowling, Cycling, Equestrian, Golf, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Karatedo, Sailing, Tennis, Thailand, Volleyball

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Labels: Badminton, Bowling, Gymnastics, Judo, Karatedo, Sailing, Sepak Takraw, Soccer, Taekwondo, Tennis, Thailand, Volleyball

BADMINTON

Gymnasium, Vongchavalitkul University, Nakhon
14.00 Singles & Doubles Women’s Finals
14.00 Events Men’s Finals
14.00 Mixed Finals

BASEBALL

Baseball Stadium, Queen Sirikit Sports Center, Pathumthani Province
13:00-17:00 M15 PHI - THA Men Round Robin
17:00 Awarding Ceremony

BILLARD & SNOOKER

Sima Thani Grand Ballroom, Sima Thani Hotel, Nakhon
10:00-13:00 Snooker Singles Men Semi Finals
13:00-16:00 9 Ball Pool Singles Men Finals
16:00-19:00 Snooker Singles Men Finals

FUll Schedule

Labels: Badminton, Bowling, Gymnastics, Judo, Karatedo, Sailing, Sepak Takraw, Soccer, Taekwondo, Tennis, Thailand, Volleyball

62 medals are up for grabs today as 25 SEA Games sporting events are to be held later in the day

Two medals from diving, two from Basketball, one from Billard & Snooker, two from Bowling, ten from Boxing, two from Cycling, one from Football Women, two from Futsal, four from Golf, one from Gymnastics, two from Hockey, four from Judo, seven from Karatedo, two from Softball, six from Taekwondo, eleven from Muay Thai and two from Petanque

BADMINTON

Gymnasium, Vongchavalitkul University, Nakhon
14.00 Singles & Doubles Women’s Semi Finals
14.00 Events Men’s Semi Finals
14.00 Mixed Semi Finals

BASKETBALL

Keelapirom Stadium, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon
15:00-17:00 M10 THA - PHI Men Round Robin
17:00-19:00 W6 THA - MAS Women Round Robin

BASEBALL

Baseball Stadium, Queen Sirikit Sports Center, Pathumthani
09:30-13:30 M13 CAM - MYA Men Round Robin
14:00-18:00 M14 INA - PHI Men Round Robin

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Labels: Badminton, Basketball, Bowling, Cycling, Equestrian, Golf, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Karatedo, Sailing, Tennis, Thailand, Volleyball

ARCHERY

Football Field 2,Suranaree University of Technology
08:00-08:45 Practice
09:00 1/2 Finals Women Compound
09:30 1/2 Finals Men Compound
10:00 Bronze Women Compound Match
10:30 Bronze Men Compound
11:00 Gold Women Compound
11:30 Gold Men Compound
12:00 Lunch Break Team Finals
12:00 Medals Ceremony W & M Team Compound
12:30-13:15 Practice
13:30 1/2 Finals Women Recurve
14:00 1/2 Finals Men Recurve
14:30 Bronze Women Recurve
15:00 Bronze Men Recurve
15:30 Gold Women Recurve
16:00 Gold Men Recurve
16:30 Medals Ceremony W & M Team Recurve & Closing Party Banquet

BADMINTON

Gymnasium, Vongchavalitkul University
14.00 Singles & Doubles Women’s Quarter Finals
14.00 Events Men’s Quarter Finals
14.00 Mixed Quarter Finals

FULL SCHEDULE

Labels: Archery, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cycling, Golf, Judo, Sailing, Sepak Takraw, Softball, Swim / Dive / W.polo, Taekwondo, Tennis, Thailand, Traditional Boat Race, Weightlifting