National Sports Games

Athletes compete in karate competition at the ninth NSG in Ninh Bình Province. VNA/VNS Photo

NINH BÌNH — Hà Nội won top place at the ninth National Sports Games' karate competition which wrapped up on November 30 in Ninh Bình Province.

The Hanoian fighters secured four golds, four silvers and five bronze medals, overcoming the last Games' winning team, the Military, in the medal tally.

In the last day, Hà Nội advanced to the finals of all three team events of kumite and won two titles.

The Military finished second with two golds, three silvers and two bronzes. Đồng Tháp were third with two golds, three silvers and one bronze.

Karate lured a large number of competitors, just behind football, futsal and athletics, at this NSG.

Nearly 400 athletes from 39 teams took part in the five-day tournament, 50 per cent more than at the 2018 Games.

Remarkably, there were some teams, such as Gia Lai and Đà Nẵng, that pocketed their first ever NSG golds, proving the development of martial arts in the country, according to organisers.

"In this NSG, teams have prepared well. Athletes received strong support to improve their technique. The final result showed in the quality of all teams," said Vũ Sơn Hà of the Karate Department of the Việt Nam Sports Administration. "Organisers ensured fairness and accuracy for the tournament as we installed more cameras to supervise better and invited international referees to officiate matches."

"We have also found new faces for the national team who will compete in international events," he said. - VNS