VietNamNet Bridge – Despite returning home empty-handed from the Asian Wrestling Championship, Nguyen Thi Lua still remains a firm hope for a berth at the London Olympics.
Lua was outgunned in the women's 48kg semi-final match at the tournament, but still put up a creditable effort in light of a recent injury which interrupted her training, her coaches said.


This year Lua won't take part in the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia because her category is not included so her next big target is the Olympics for which the door is wide open.


Six athletes in each category at the September World Wrestling Championship will get a ticket to London. Lua was 5th at the 2009 event.


Based on her result at the Guangzhou Asian Games where she pocketed a silver medal, she can compete for top two places in the three upcoming Olympics Asian qualifying rounds.


Lua who has become the high profile face of Viet Nam has won six international medals from Asian tournaments.


Apart from Lua, Viet Nam also pins hopes on Luong Thi Quyen of the women's 63kg class and Duong Thi Lan in the women's 59kg class.


VietNamNet/Viet Nam News