– How did Toan start to come to martial arts?
Le Huu Toan: I started practicing martial arts since 2007, when I was a secondary student in my hometown Dak Lak. I remember then, my Vovinam teacher went from Buon Ma Thuot city to nearly 20km to my place to teach martial arts. My family is quite deserted, away from the city, so the travel is quite hard.
When I practiced martial arts, I felt more confident, the fear of the surrounding things so also reduced. I thought that when I practiced martial arts, I no longer felt afraid of the tall and bullying people out there. At that time, everyone saw someone going from afar to teach martial arts so everyone liked it. My family immediately registered me to go to martial arts school, and I also liked it because I was mobilized and learned to protect myself.
– From Vovinam, what is the reason why Toan charmed with Boxing?
In 2012, I started to go to Ho Chi Minh City to study and work. In parallel with daily work, I went to practice at Vovinam in Tan Binh District. That was the time when I was cared for by the teachers, paying attention because it was able to play the content of antagonism. Since then, I have facilitated the development of antagonists in Vovinam.
I like to interact with martial arts clubs within Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, I also asked the teachers to allow me to test fire in other subjects such as Kickboxing, Canopy and Boxing. During such martial arts and competition, I gradually realized that I fit the style of Boxing.
– The road from Boxing amateur to the professional boxing match of Toan took place quite quickly, in just 3-4 years …
In 2019, I joined SSC and participated in professional boxing practice but had previously had the experience in this martial art. That was 2018, the time I attended the Boxing Championship of Ho Chi Minh City. At that time, I just came from another subject so I could only play hard, but I was also limited in how to move.
That year I won the bronze medal. At the end of the tournament, I went to exchange with different clubs throughout the city. SSC at that time or organized events to practice, interact with other clubs every Saturday. I like to exchange and practice, so I often come here, thereby having the opportunity to meet with other martial arts club members.
From such training and exchange matches, the coach found that I was able to play so I encouraged me to register to participate in the club's internal tournaments. My technique was still not pure boxing at that time because from another subject to turn. Everyone said my fighting style was a bit wild, but the spirit of competition became the factor that helped me score points in the eyes of the coach.
My experience and technical experience gradually better through each match. In 2019, I first participated in a professional boxing event at SSC. At the end of the tournament, I asked permission to join SSC to practice, compete and be approved by the coach, as well as the club.
– In addition to practicing boxing, Toan also earns a living with other professions?
When I first joined SSC, I went to teach Vovinam in Tan Binh District. The work of living makes me only can practice boxing every morning. I told coach Dodong about my work, and the coach said in a professional environment, I need to practice 2 sessions a day. Listening to the coach, I started arranging work to be more suitable.
Back then, every day I practiced 2 boxing sessions at SSC, then went to Tan Binh district to teach Vovinam. I used to work at a printing company before, and another insurance company. The income was not as good at that time. Fortunately, at the present time, I can focus on boxing practice without having to think too much about other jobs.
– It is said that even when he has become a national boxing champion in his weight class, Toan still has been with a motorbike with him for 10 years?
This is related to my family. My family is a purely agricultural family in Dak Lak, so the economic conditions are not very good. I just went to work and lived and helped my family, so my spending is limited than other ordinary people. I have to be less interested for myself to share with my family.
– Toan know you have the opportunity to compete for the championship?
Before the Lunar New Year, the coach called me out to talk privately and told me to be able to compete. I heard that it was not sure about that opportunity, because the time of competition, professional training was not too long. But after Tet, the coach and the company have officially announced that I know I definitely have a stretching match.
Honestly, when I first learned that I was WBA Asia's belt, I felt quite surprised and worried. People put their faith and expect too much. Actually, I only practice a lot to temporarily forget the pressure on myself. Fortunately, I did not lose sleep, because the practice was quite good, so I could sleep well (laugh).
Struggle for the championship is very different from ordinary matches. I only hit 6 rounds before, but this battle will take place in 12 rounds. It is a challenge for me, because a 12 match will be very different from 6 rounds. I have to pay attention from eating to exercise, nutrition … to be able to play enough to play in 12 rounds.
The pressure and volume of training in the battle made me feel quite tense. I have shared this with my coach and manager, because this is a challenge for me personally. After listening to me, the coach said he believed in me, saying I could win. That helped me focus more on training, thereby towards the immediate goal.
At the end of the WBA Asia belt match, I had a big tournament in the immediate future as the Boxing Championship of the Nation's strong teams 2022. I will try to practice and play in that tournament well, then set out a plan for the upcoming matches.
– What advice Toan wants to give young people who want to try their best with Boxing?
Just try, just challenge yourself. We may not achieve the expected success, but in the process of working, we can improve ourselves. The final result is sometimes not really as important as the process we spend it.
– Thanks To Toan! Wish Toan continue to practice and compete successfully in the future!