Aquathlon

Hoàng Văn Hải at the finish line of the Aqua Warriors Hạ Long Bay aquathlon tournament on April 14 in Quảng Ninh Province. — Photos courtesy of Bolt Event

HẠ LONG — Hoàng Văn Hải overcame title favourites while Nguyễn Thị Kim Cương proved her power to win the first Aqua Warriors Hạ Long Bay aquathlon tournament on April 14 in Quảng Ninh Province.

Hải completed the men's Aqua categories in 1hr 42.35min, including a 3km swim (38.27min) and a 15km run (1:00.42), to take the title.

He was about 6min faster than national champion Vũ Đình Duân, who clocked 1:48.52.

Nguyễn Thị Kim Cương seen in the run stage of the women's Aqua category.

Nguyễn Văn Thái came third with a time of 1:50.03.

On the women's side, the national triathlon winner had no worthy rival in both swimming and running.

She finished first, clocking 2:01.40, including 50.01min for the swim and 1:07.48 for the run.

She was followed by Lê Thị Như Quỳnh (2:07.46) and Nguyễn Thị Trà My (2:09.29).

Athletes take part in the swim stage of the tournament.

Other categories of the largest national aquathlon were Olympic Aqua Warriors (1.5km swim, 10km run), Sprint Aqua Warriors (0.75km swim, 5km run, Junior Aqua Warriors (0.3km swim, 2km run) and Kids Aqua Warriors (0.15km swim, 1km run).

"The Aqua Warriors Ha Long Bay is a competitive tournament between athletes for individual prizes. It is also an event to enhance the spirit of team work through relay and team competitions," said Dương Đình Việt of the organising committee.

The organisers promised to make the Aqua Warriors Hạ Long an annual tournament, responding to the campaign "All people do exercise following the example of the great President Hồ Chí Minh" and the programme to prevent and control accidents and injuries in children for the period 2021-30 (including preventing drowning).

It is expected to contribute to promoting Quảng Ninh as a tourist destination and developing local tourism.

Many children enjoy the kids race divided into different age groups.

At the awards ceremony, organisers delivered a total bonuses of VNĐ320 million, with the Aqua champions walking away with more than VNĐ14 million in cash and gifts.

The two-day event featured some 1,500 athletes including national elites and foreign competitors from South Korea, the US, Australia, France, India, Russia and New Zealand.

It was jointly held by the provincial People's Committee, Culture and Sports Department and Bolt Event. — VNS