Jujitsu

Vietnamese fighter Phùng Thị Huệ celebrates her championship title at the Asian Jujitsu Championship 2022 on March 30 at the National Stadium in Manama, Bahrain. Photos Jujitsu AsianUnion

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam grabbed two gold medals at the sixth Asian Jujitsu Championship 2022 on Wednesday at the National Stadium in Manama, Bahrain.

World defending champion Phùng Thị Huệ shone in the women’s 45kg class, beating Hamda Al Shekheili of the UAE in the final match.

Earlier, Dương Thị Thanh Minh, the world silver medallist, defeated Rania Meqbel of Jordan in the women’s 52kg category.

Vietnamese fighter Phùng Thị Huệ (left) beats a Thai rival on her way to winning the 2022 Asian Jujitsu Championship women’s 45kg title in Manama, Bahrain.

The Vietnamese team also secured a bronze in the women’s 57kg pool through Vương Võ Kim Thanh.

All medals were in the newaza (ground fighting techniques) discipline, helping Việt Nam place third among 26 teams participating in the tournament after two days of competition.

On March 31, athletes will participate in fighting (stand-up fighting techniques), discipline and duo show (performance) on the final day.

Vietnamese fighter Dương Thị Thanh Minh (red socks) overcomes Rania Meqbel of Jordan in the women’s 52kg category final at the Asian Jujitsu Championship on March 30 at the National Stadium in Manama, Bahrain.

Việt Nam sent 14 athletes to the Bahrain tournament, an important warm-up for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games this May.

At the previous Games, Việt Nam placed sixth with two silvers and six bronzes.

The team expect to win at least one title when competing on home ground.

Jujitsu is also set to be part of the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Tashkent, the 2025 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Saudi Arabia and the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games. — VNS