Sepaktakraw

World championship winners, Việt Nam, pose for photo after their win in Thailand on Wednesday. Photo of takrawworld  .

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam were crowned winners of the 2022 King's Cup Sepaktakraw World Championship on Wednesday in Bangkok, Thailand.

They defeated the hosts 2-0 in the women's quad (group of four) event, which was organised for the first time at the annual championship, to take the historic title.

Trần Thị Ngọc Yến's tough strikes helped Việt Nam quickly win the first set 21-15. The Thais came back strongly in the second and almost levelled things up with the score 22-21 to Việt Nam. 

It was Sasiwimol Janthasit who made a mistake with a strike that hit the net, bringing Việt Nam to 23-21 to win the title.

It was sweet revenge for the Vietnamese after they lost to the Thais in the final of the same event at the 31st SEA Games two months ago in Hà Nội.

The win also ends Việt Nam's 16-year losing streak to world No 1 Thailand in this category. 

On their way to the finals, Việt Nam beat Malaysia, Cambodia and Pakistan 2-0 to advance to the semi-finals. They then beat South Korea 2-0 to enter the final.

Việt Nam also pocketed a silver in the men's quad event after they lost 21-15, 21-12 to South Korea in the final; and a bronze in the men's regu (group of three), also losing 21-12, 25-24 to South Korea in the semi-finals.

Việt Nam also ensured at least a silver medal in the women's regu event as they qualified for the final match, where they will meet with South Korea.

The 35th world championship has been held annually in Thailand since 1985, though 2020 and 2021 were not organised due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year's tournament began on July 24 and will close this Sunday at Fashion Island Sports World. 

Twenty-three International Sepaktakraw Federation member countries, mostly from Asia-Oceania, participated in the tournament.

Việt Nam took to Bangkok 15 athletes, competing in six out of 10 categories available. VNS