Normally, Vietnam only has to compete with Malaysia for the first position in the medal tally, but the host is now a tough rival for both.

Vietnam’s hope for golds will be placed on Nguyet Anh and Bich Phuong as the team’s three veterans Ngoc Thanh, Hai Yen and Hoang Ngan cannot join the squad due to their injuries.

Martial artists competing in the kata (performance) event have trained in Japan and those in the kumite (combat) event have attended a number of international competitions.

Karatedo, scheduled to be held in Jakarta from November 12-14, will have 17 sets of medals.