Huỳnh Hà Hữu Hiếu off Việt Nam (right) is announced world 45kg Muay Thai champion after her victory on June 9 in Greece. Photo screenshot

HÀ NỘI -- Huỳnh Hà Hữu Hiếu topped the world again as she won the gold medal at the 2024 Senior World Muay Thai Championships on 9 June in Greece.

The Vietnamese fighter defeated Sofia Istratova of the Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) team 29-28 in the women's elite 45kg final in the historic city of Patras.

Hiếu, the WBC Muay International champion, was the better fighter in the first two rounds, with all judges awarding her a 10-9 win in each. Istratova fought back strongly in the third round and led 10-9. However, it was not enough for her to win the bout.

On her way to the top of the podium, Hiếu defeated the powerful Arissara Noon-Eiad of Thailand and Islay Erika Bomogao of the Philippines. It was her third world championship title following her victories in 2019 and 2021. She also dominated the world youth championships in 2013 and 2016.

Regionally, Hiếu, 24, has taken one gold, one silver, and one bronze at the SEA Games.

In other categories, Lê Hoàng Đức took silver in the men's elite 48kg, losing to Supphanat Phetrak of Thailand; Nguyễn Doãn Long claimed silver in the men's elite 63.5kg, losing to Abil Galiyev of Kazakhstan.

In the junior disciplines, Trần Thị Ánh Tuyết won gold in the women's U23 75kg after beating Salama Aljneibi of the UAE 30-27. Hoàng Thị Thu bagged silver in the women's U23 71kg, and Bùi Hải Linh earned silver in the women's U23 51kg. VNS