Asian Games

Võ Thị Phương Quỳnh poses with her women's kurash 87kg bronze medal. The Vietnamese earned her medal after only four months of training in this sport. VNA/VNS Photo.

HÀ NỘI — Võ Thị Phương Quỳnh brought Việt Nam their only medal on October 2 at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Quỳnh lost to Zahra Bagheri of Iran in the semi-finals of the women's kurash 87kg category. She shared the third position with Iranian Melika Vandchaly who was defeated by Chinese Liu Yi in the other semi.

In the final, Liu beat Bagheri to lift the gold.

Quỳnh's bronze was the only medal of the Việt Nam's kurash team who ended their campaign on the same day.

"I am sorry that I could not reach my target of being in the final match," said Quỳnh.

"My rival was much stronger than me. I tried my best but I feel this result was still a success because it was my first international tournament.

"It was the last day of competition but our team had not won any medal. I entered with highest determination and finally completed the team's mission of at least one bronze," said Quỳnh who initially practised judo before switching to kurash four months ago. 

"I am proud of the bronze and will train harder for more in the future."

With only one bronze earned in the ninth day of the Games, Việt Nam, with one gold, three silvers, 13 bronzes in total, dropped to 18th in the medal tally.

China proved their world sport powerhouse position with 151 golds. Japan with 33 and South Korea with 31 are second and third, respectively. VNS