A Vietnamese triathlete expresses his happiness at the 2022 VNG  Ironman 70.3 Việt Nam finish line. More than 2,500 athletes, of which 1,100 Vietnamese, joined the race. Photo courtesy of VNG IRONMAN 70.3 Việt Nam

ĐÀ NẴNG — Vietnamese Hạnh Nguyễn and Australian Michael Cassinides topped the women’s and men’s divisions respectively at the 2022 VNG Ironman 70.3 Việt Nam on Sunday.

Hạnh clocked a time of 5 hours, 9 minutes and 25 seconds in the women’s 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run to win the title.

Pannapat Krarunpetch of Thailand and Agnieszka Najnigier Pierzynowska from Poland finished second and third, respectively.

In the men’s division, Australian Michael Cassinides took the men’s title with 4hrs 16min 15sec, ahead of Andy Wibowo from India, who came second, and Golatat Kunaborimas from Thailand, in third.

Triathletes swim at the 2022 VNG Ironman 70.3 Việt Nam. They had to test their power in a 1.9km swim, 90km bike ride and 21km run. VNS Photo Trần Lê Lâm

The race, which drew 2,500 athletes, saw a record number of Vietnamese triathletes with more than 1,100.

Five Vietnamese triathletes – Đặng Quốc Tuấn, Cao Ngọc Hà, Nguyễn Tiến Hùng (men’s side), Nguyễn Thị Thu Trang and Phạm Tố Phương – were among the best finishers in the race on Sunday.

The VNG Ironman 70.3 Việt Nam, with the motto ‘Embracing Challenges’, has been successfully organised in Đà Nẵng six times since 2015.

The Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa once again served as the host hotel and race centre, according to the triathlon’s organising committee.

Two athletes pass Thuận Phước bridge as they compete in the men's 90km bike at the 2022 VNG Ironman 70.3 Việt Nam. VNS Photo Trần Lê Lâm

The 2022 VNG Ironman 70.3 Việt Nam said it would announce 70 qualifying slots for the 2022 Ironman 70.3 World Championship held in St George, Utah, from October 28-29, including 25 qualifying slots for Women. — VNS