A recent exchange event organised by the Quy Nhon Kickfit Club in Quy Nhon Nam Ward drew more than 80 martial artists from 11 dojos and clubs inside and outside the province. Bouts were arranged by age group and weight class, creating a series of closely contested and spirited matches.
Organisers carefully monitored each fight, adjusting match duration and pairing athletes by appropriate weight to ensure safety and fairness. The atmosphere on the mat was described as intense, with a strong competitive spirit evident throughout the event.
Several participants were competing for the first time. Some appeared nervous and had to stop early due to limited experience, while others were so eager that they missed referees’ instructions. Fighters in the older age groups, however, showed greater composure and confidence.
Clubs from outside the province are also actively involved. The Le Minh Kha Dojo from O Loan Commune in Dak Lak province regularly brings students to Gia Lai for exchanges. Coach Le Minh Kha said the matches provide valuable real-world experience, helping students build confidence and mature in an environment where formal competition opportunities remain limited.
Making its debut, the An Nhon Martial Arts Club brought 19 students, with 10 taking part in matched bouts. Master Le Dinh Minh said the club combines intensive training with external exchanges to expose students to competitive pressure and strengthen motivation.
Individual fighters echoed the benefits. Truong Dang Huy, born in 2010 and competing in the 45kg category, said he still felt nervous despite previous provincial tournament experience and hoped to improve his situational awareness and reaction speed.
Since its establishment in 2023, the Nhon Ly Hoi Club has actively joined exchange activities, quickly building connections with other coaches in the province. Over the past two years, the club has consistently ranked among the top five at provincial traditional martial arts, kickboxing and boxing competitions.
Coach Nguyen Le Tin said regular exchanges give students a platform to test techniques, gain combat experience and learn from peers, driving enthusiasm and discipline in training.
One standout student, Bui Thanh Duc, born in 2011, won gold medals in boxing, kickboxing and traditional martial arts competitions in 2025. He said feedback from coaches during exchanges helped identify technical weaknesses and boosted his confidence.
Other dojos, including Truong Ngoc Be in Binh An Commune, Nam Phuong in An Nhon Nam Ward and Phan Tho in Tay Son Commune, also hold frequent exchanges, particularly ahead of provincial tournaments.
Coaches say these activities not only sharpen fighters’ skills but also allow timely adjustments to training methods. As a result, the grassroots martial arts movement has been strengthened, laying a sustainable foundation for developing high-performance athletes.