Rowers competing on the first day of qualifiers at the SEA Games 31. Việt Nam got off to a good start on May 9. VNA/VNS Photo Minh Đức

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese rowers got off to a good start on the first day of rowing at the SEA Games 31, finishing first in both the men’s and women’s qualifying in the Thuỷ Nguyên rowing centre in Hải Phòng City.

Hồ Thị Lý, Phạm Thị Thảo, Phạm Thị Huệ and Đinh Thị Hảo of Việt Nam clocked in 7 minutes and  27.14 seconds to finish first in the women’s quad sculls, ahead of Thailand’s Natticha Kaewhom, Piyamon Toemsuk, Pawiwa Surasang and Ponthida Thupthai, who came in second with 16 minutes and 1 second.

The powerful Indonesian team, made up Dewi Purwanti, Maslin Efrilia, Annisa Meilani Yahya and Puteri Agni Anugerah, finished the qualifying round.

In the men’s lightweight double sculls, Vietnamese duo Nhữ Đình Nam and Bùi Văn Hoàn finished first with a time of 6 minutes and 28 seconds, while Thailand’s Nawamin Dechudomrat and Sornram Sinlapasorn came in second with 6 minutes and 36.75 seconds.

Indonesians Ardi Isadi and Kakan Kumana finished the qualifiers in third.

Crowds cheering on the rowers at Thuỷ Nguyên Rowing Centre on May 9. Teams will continue the qualifying rounds to determine who reaches the finals. VNA/VNS Photo Minh Đức

The host dominated the qualifying round in the morning by finishing first in the men’s doubles sculls, ahead of Thailand (7 minutes, 25.17 seconds), Cambodia (8 minutes, 18.71 seconds) and Indonesia (7 minutes, 12.89 seconds).

Nguyễn Văn Hiếu and Nguyễn Văn Hà did their best in the event with a time in 7 minutes, 14.34 seconds.

In the women's coxless events, the team of Phạm Thị Ngọc Anh, Lê Thị Hiền, Hà Thị Vui and Dư Thị Bông had a row with a time of 7 minutes and  53.98 seconds, finishing top of the pile. Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia ranked behind them in the qualifiers.

In the men’s lightweight coxless four, Vietnamese Vũ Ngọc Khánh, Hoàng Văn Đạt, Võ Như Sang and Phạm Chung beat off rivals from Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar and the Philippines in the qualifying round. Their time of 6 minutes and 34.94 seconds was enough to win first place in the qualifiers.

With a time of 7 minutes, 19.85 seconds in the women's light quad sculls, Nguyễn Thị Giang, Hồ Thị Lý, Phạm Thị Thảo and Lương Thị Thảo dominated a tough race against Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Đinh Thị Hảo and Phạm Thị Huệ also set up a good finish in the women’s pair, crossing the line in 8 minutes, 25.52 seconds. Singapore, Indonesia, Myanmar and the Philippines came in behind.

Việt Nam completed the first day of rowing with their best finish thanks to Nguyễn Văn Hà, Nguyễn Văn Tuấn, Nhữ Đình Nam and Bùi Văn Hoàn in the men’s lightweight quad sculls with total time of 6 mins, 48.42 seconds.

The rowing events will continue with qualifying rounds on May 10 to select the best teams for the finals on May 11. Competitors are vying for a total of 16 gold medals in the rowing event.

Head coach of the 29-member rowing team of Việt Nam Lê Văn Quang said that the team are targeting five or six gold medals in the SEA Games 31.

Two traditional powerhouses, Thailand and Indonesia, have had a slow start to qualifying, though defending champions Indonesia should not be written off so quickly. 

The Indonesia team include top athletes like Rio Riski Darmawan, Edwin Ginanjar Rudiana, Rifqi Harits Taufiqrahman, Ihram, Kakan Kusmana, Mahendra Yanto, Ardi Isadi, Jefri Adrianto Suwarno, Ali Mardiansyah, Denri Maulidzar Al Ghiffari, Ferdiansonh and Ali Buton in the men’s team, and Chelsea Corputty, Mutiara Rahma Putri và Melani Putri in the women’s.

Indonesia spent time preparing in the Netherlands to defend their title at the SEA Games 31 – where they will challenge the hosts and Thailand.

Canoeing events will take place at the same venue between May 17-21.