Viet Nam take second at worlds

What a kick: Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat won gold in the men's 60kg at the World Muay Thai Federation Championships in Bangkok, Thailand. — VNA/VNS Photo

HA NOI — Viet Nam's muay thai (Thai kickboxing) team took second place with two gold, one silver and seven bronze medals at the World Muay Thai Federation Championships in Bangkok, Thailand on Tuesday.

Although Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat earned a gold medal in the men's 57kg category in 2011, HCM City-based martial artist competed in the 60kg category this year. In the final, he gave a strong gold medal performance against defending champion Alexei Eltsov from Russia.

The second gold medal came to Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thang in the women's 57kg category after her opponent Liashsnagpull Renthei of India withdrew from the match.

Phan Thi Ngoc Linh lost to Guathiere Cecile of France in the women's 57kg to win the silver medal.

In a separate competition for young athletes, Vietnamese martial artists showed their rapid development by winning seven gold medals – six more than they earned one year ago.

In the women's event, Bui Yen Ly, Phung Thu Ha and Tran Thi Huong defeated tough host rivals to take first place in the 51kg, 63.5kg and 60kg categories, respectively.

In the men's event, Nguyen Tang Quyen (51kg category), Nguyen Huy Tan (45kg), Nguyen Doan Long (54kg) and Truong Quoc Hung (67kg) all secured gold medals.

After the tournament, athletes Nhat, Linh, Nguyen Phu Long and Nguyen Huu Phuc continue to compete at the World Muay Semi Professional Championships in Thailand until Saturday. — VNS