SEA Games

Hoàng Thị Mỹ Tâm won the women's 55kg category gold in the 32nd SEA Games on May 7 in Cambodia. VNA\VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam's karate fighters won more gold medals at the 32nd SEA Games yesterday in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

After their two golds in kata (performance) events on Saturday, the team grabbed two more in kumite (combat) yesterday.

Asian champion Hoàng Thị Mỹ Tâm defeated Cok Istr Sanistyarani of Indonesia 4-3 in the women's 55kg category.

She made a big jump from the third position last Games to the top this time.

"I have tried my best in every match. It is time to show how I have trained and been trained to be successful. I have been determined to get the highest result in this Games. I am excited about the win," said Tâm.

Đinh Thị Hương (right) beat Filipino rival Misu Remon in the women's 68kg class. She won 7-4 to secure top position.

"My victory is for the supporters and teammates who strongly encouraged and pushed me throughout the tournament."

Earlier, her teammate Đinh Thị Hương dominated her Philippine rival Misu Remon in the women's 68kg class. She won 7-4 to secure the top position.

The team have won four golds, and can gain more as karate events continue.

Vovinam martial artists also won two gold medals yesterday.

Đỗ Phương Thảo took the title in the women's 60kg, beating Kesinee Tabtrai of Thailand 8-5 at the Chroy Changvar International Conference Centre.

Đỗ Phương Thảo (right) takes the title in the women's 60kg vovinam.

Meanwhile, Nguyễn Thanh Liêm, although being sick, defeated Emmanuel Cantores of the Philippines 9-1 in the men's 60kg final.

“I had a high temperature of 39 degrees Celsius prior to the final. I am encouraged to go on in the competition. Honestly, I didn't feel tired at all but strong enough to land punches and kicks against the rival," said Liêm.

"I am happy with the success and that I have contributed my part to the vovinam team's achievement."

The vovinam team earned three golds in combat to date together with a number of silvers in performance events.

In jujitsu, Đào Hồng Sơn grabbed a gold for Việt Nam in the men's 56kg pool in which rivals competed in round-robin.

Đào Hồng Sơn of Việt Nam (right) defends his title in the men's 56kg jujitsu.

Sơn had the same points after three wins and one loss with fighters from Singapore and the Philippines but his outstanding performance pushed him to the gold.

Singapore did not agree with the decision but their complaint was rejected after judges reviewed all matches.

It was Sơn's second gold in a row after he was champion at the 31st Games on home soil last summer.

Yesterday morning, Vietnamese athletes won one gold in the men's duathlon event.

Phạm Tiến Sản successfully defended his title after a combination of 5km running, 20km biking and 2.5km running, with a total time of 54.37 minutes.

Phạm Tiến Sản won the title in the men's duathlon.

His teammate Nguyễn Thị Phương Trinh won a silver, a new height in her career. Trinh was the first Vietnamese athlete to win a medal in this tough sport. She secured a bronze in the 2019 Games in the Philippines.

This year, Trinh finished second with a time of 1:05.12.

The winner was Filipino Marion Kim Exconde Mangrobang in 1:04.23.

Maharani Azhri Wahyuningtyas of Indonesia took bronze with 1:06.14.

The biggest surprise of the morning was the historic victory of the Vietnamese women’s 3x3 basketball team. They beat the Philippines 21-16 to lift the trophy.

Việt Nam women's 3x3 basketball team celebrate their historic win.

On the men’s side, Cambodia clinched their first gold medal in SEA Games basketball at the expense of the Filipinos. With three out of four players naturalised, the hosts won 20-15. VNS