Hanoi (VNA) – So far, 22 Vietnamese athletes have qualified for the Beijing Olympics this August. However, the country is hopeful that a canoeist and a trap shooter will also make the grade.

Among the first to qualify for the Olympics were three taekwondo artists, who performed outstandingly at the Asia Zone’s qualifying round in HCM City . World Taekwondo Federation rules state that the top three players from each category automatically qualify for the Olympics.

Further good news followed the 24th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games when it was announced that eight wushu artists would also be going to the Olympics. They are Vu Thuy Linh, Vu Tra My, Tran Duc Trong, Nguyen Huy Thanh, Nguyen Mai Phuong, Nguyen Thuy Ngan, Luong Thi Hoa, Truong Trong Do.

Shortly after, it was announced that Doan Kien Quoc would be the only Southeast Asian table tennis player to be going to the Games. Other athletes who qualified early in 2008 were weight lifters Hoang Anh Tuan and Nguyen Thi Thiet, badminton players Nguyen Tien Minh and gymnast Do Thi Ngan Thuong.

Thuong is the first Vietnamese gymnast to qualify for the games. She established her reputation as the leading gymnast in the region at three consecutive SEA Games when she pocketed a total of five gold medals

Aside from those who have qualified directly for the Games, a number of athletes have earned wildcards. Theuy are Tran Thi Thuan, Nguyen Manh Tuong, badminton player Le Ngoc Nguyen Nhung, runners Vu Thi Huong and Nguyen Dinh Cuong and swimmer Nguyen Huu Viet.

Vietnam ’s stated goal was to send between 22-25 athletes to the Olympics. That figure was only exceeded by the number of Vietnamese athletes who competed in the 1998 Seoul Olympics.

Vietnam ’s strongest medal hopes lie with taekwondo martial artists Nguyen Thi Hoai Thu (women’s 57kg category), Nguyen Van Hung(men’s under 80kg pool), Hoang Ha Giang (women’s 49kg class) and weight lifter Anh Tuan (men’s 56kg category).

Vietnam ’s best performance to date at the Olympics was a single silver medal won by women’s taekwondo artist Tran Hieu Ngan in Sydney in 2000.- Enditem