Swimming

: Nguyễn Huy Hoàng (second row, left) and Mai Trần Tuấn Anh (second row, right) pose on the podium after winning silver and bronze, respectively, in the men's 5km event at the Asian Open Water Swimming Championships 2026 in Indonesia. Photo courtesy of SAV Vietnamese swimmers (in red) on the podium after the men's 5km individual event at the Asian Open Water Swimming Championships 2026 in Indonesia. Photo courtesy of SAV

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese swimmers have made a huge splash in Bali, winning a number of medals at the ongoing Asian Open Water Swimming Championships 2026 in Indonesia.

It is the first time that Việt Nam has sent swimmers to this continental tournament which began on June 13.

Running until June 15, the event features 78 elite swimmers from 18 countries and regions competing alongside the A-STREAM Open Water Swimming Series.

Swimmers competed in the men's and women's individual 5km categories at Jimbaran Bay, where the Vietnamese coaching board said wind and high waves posed major obstacles for all participants.

Paris Olympian Nguyễn Huy Hoàng and teammates Mai Trần Tuấn Anh, Nguyễn Viết Tường took part in the men's competition.

Despite strong rivals, Hoàng finished second in a time of 57min 04.10sec. Anh was third in 57min 04.06sec. They were just a small gap behind China's Tianchen Lan, who clocked 56min 57.00sec.

In the women's category, Võ Thị Mỹ Tiên and Nguyễn Khả Như represented Việt Nam. Tiên who also competed at the Paris Olympics, came third in a time of 1hr 02min 20sec.

China's Wu Shutong (1hr 02min 07sec) and Chen Yijing (1hr 02min 08sec) finished first and second, respectively.

Athletes will compete in the 4x1,500m mixed relay and 10km individual events today.

In April, Vietnamese athletes competed at the Asian Beach Games 2026 where they took two silver and two bronzes including second place in the the 4x1,500m mixed relay.

They will face many regular rivals in Bali later today and the coaching board believed they are capable of a top two finish.

Chairman of the Indonesian Aquatics Federation, Harlin Erlianto Rahardjo, said the tournament also featured an open series for non-athletes, drawing about 300 participants. Most participants were fascinated by Jimbaran Beach’s beauty.

The tournament is expected to boost Indonesia’s sports tourism and further enhance Bali’s appeal. — VNS