Wrestler Lua qualifies for 2012 London Olympics

Vietnamese hopeful Nguyen Thi Lua has taken a berth to the world’s largest sporting event after wining a silver medal at the 2012 Olympic-Asian Wrestling Qualifiers in Kazakhstan on April 1.

Lua entered the finals after defeating Chov Sotheara from Cambodia and Nurmatova Mikhrniso from Kyrgyzstan 11-0 and 5-1, respectively, in the women’s 48kg category.

Though Lua, who ranked second at the 16th Asian Games (ASIAD 2010), lost to Korean rival Hyung-Joo, she became the first Vietnamese wrestler qualifying for the coming summer Olympics in London.

Meanwhile, Lua’s teammates Tran Thi Dieu Ninh (59kg) and Luong Thi Quyen (63kg) missed the chance to move further at the tournament in Kazakhstan.

So far, nine Vietnamese have won tickets to the 2012 Olympics, namely Phan Thi Ha Thanh and Pham Phuoc Hung (gymnastics), Le Huynh Chau and Chu Hoang Dieu Linh (taekwondo), Van Ngoc Tu (judo), Hoang Xuan Vinh and Le Thi Hoang Ngoc (shooting), Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuc (athletics), and Nguyen Thi Lua (wrestling).