Karate 

Nguyễn Thị Ngoan of Việt Nam cruises to victory in the women's kumite over-68kg, defeating Arika Gurung of Nepal 6-0. Photos AKF

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam pocketed three gold medals from the Asian Karate Federation Senior Championships which ended on September 22 in Hangzhou, China.

In the last day of competitions, Vietnamese fighters competed in three kumite (combat) matches.

Hoàng Thị Tâm defeated Wei Yuchun of the hosts 4-2 to take the title in the women's 55kg category. 

Hoàng Thị Mỹ Tâm of Việt Nam (second, right) and other medal winners in the women's kumite 55kg category podium.

Nguyễn Thị Ngoan excelled in the women's over-68kg class, beating Gurung Arika of Nepal to take gold.

Tâm and Ngoan then grouped with teammates Đinh Thị Hương and Nguyễn Thị Diệu Ly to outclass China 2-0 to defend their top place in the women's team event.

In addition to golds, athletes also took two silvers and one bronze to rank second in the medal tally.  

Japanese and Vietnamese fighters compete in the women's kata team final. Japan win to take gold.

Japan placed first in the table with five golds, three silvers and three bronzes. Kazakhstan were third, winning two golds, two silvers and one bronze.

"We appreciated the athletes' effort in this tournament. They prepared well and competed with highest determination," said coach Vũ Sơn Hà.

“Currently, we are home to young and quality coaches and good martial artists who promise to earn high results in international tournaments."

The Asian championships featured 355 competitors from 30 countries and regions, with a total of 16 sets of medals awarded. Karatekas who won the continental top two medals will qualify for the Karate World Cup.  VNS