Laos snatches first gold medal from taekwondo event

(KPL) The Lao National Taekwondo team yesterday showed good performance in the taekwondo competition of the Poomsae category (man and woman’s single dancing style), winning the first gold medal and silver medal for Laos.
Mr. Soukthavy Panyasith has won a gold medal in men’s single poomsae category by defeating his opponent from Myanmar. The victory made Soukthavy the first ever athlete to win gold medal for the Lao PDR in this 25th SEA Games, scheduled on 9-18 December 2009.
Soukthavy also helped his brother Bounheng Panyasith and fellow Soukthavone Manilath win a silver medal in men’s team category competition against Vietnam. The Philippines and Thailand won bronze medals from the men’s team competition.
One more silver medal was taken by Chithdavone Philavong in women’s single division competition against Myanmar. Malaysia and Indonesia won bronze medals from the competition.
The taekwondo event of the 25th SEA Games will be held at the Booyoung indoor arena, National University of Laos, from 9 to 13 December.
The Lao team will vie for medals in 14 taekwondo categories.