Swimmer Trịnh Thị Bích Như (centre) celebrates winning gold medal in the women’s 100m freestyle on Thursday at the ASEAN Para Games. — VNA/VNS Photo Hoàng Minh

Para Games

HÀ NỘI — Swimmer Trịnh Thị Bích Như broke her own ASEAN Para Games record yesterday, the last competition day of the ASEAN Para Games 12 in Cambodia.

In the women’s 100m freestyle, classified S6, Như finished first after clocking a time of 1:23.77. This result helped her take the gold medal and set a new Games record, beating her old record of 1:25.11.

Như left behind the runner-up, Indonesian Siti Alfiah who finished with a time of 1:33.82.

With five gold medals and three new records gained, Như is currently one of the best athletes at the Games.

Earlier, Như brought home gold medals in the women’s 50m butterfly, 100m breaststroke and 200m medley. She also had no rivals in the women’s 50m freestyle.

“I am very happy to take five gold medals and set three new records. It is the first time I have gained the best achievement at a regional sports event. Despite having to compete in many distances, I have completed my task well,” Như said.

So far, the Kiên Giang Province-born girl has won a silver medal in the world championship in 2013, and two silver medals in the world event in 2015. In the Asian championship, she brought home three silvers in 2014 and three silvers in 2018. In the ASEAN Para Games and domestic events, she holds many gold medals and records.

Meanwhile, in the men's categories, Danh Hòa continued to have outstanding results in the 100m freestyle race, classified S4. He won gold and set a new Games record with a time of 1:36.23.

Hòa is one of the athletes with the highest individual achievements in the Vietnamese swimming team. He has earned four gold medals and made three new records.

In the men’s 50m freestyle, classified S8, Phạm Thành Đạt took home one silver, while Trần Văn Mốm won one bronze in the 100m freestyle, classified S3.

Earlier, Đạt made a strong sprint to finish in first place in the men’s 50m butterfly, S8, to win the gold medal.

In addition, Hồ Thị Loan took silver in the S10 women's 50m freestyle, and Lê Thị Dung also won a silver medal in the S8 women's 50m freestyle.

Nguyễn Đăng Viễn, head coach of the Vietnamese swimming team, said that the achievement of Vietnamese swimmers has exceeded the target set by the team. This was a miracle created by the efforts of athletes and coaches. — VNS