Athletics

Lê Thị Diễm Hằng poses for a photo after her win set a new record in the women's U20 400m competition. Photo courtesy of SAV

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam topped the Southeast Asian U18 and U20 Athletics Championships, which finished on November 8 in Thailand, securing 19 gold medals for the No 1 place. 

Thailand came second with 16 golds, and Malaysia finished third with eight titles.

It was a successful result for Việt Nam, who were second last season with only 13 golds.

Among this year's champions were Chu Hải Đăng, who also set a new record in the boys' U18 1,500m with a time of 4min 4.63sec, and Lê Thị Diễm Hằng, who reached a new peak in the women's U20 400m with a time of 55.43sec.

Other winners included Đinh Thị Thu Hương in the women's U20 3,000m steeplechase; Phan Văn Anh Kiệt in the men's U20 javelin; Bùi Tuấn Tú in the boys' U18 2,000m steeplechase; and Nguyễn Tấn Tài in the boys' U18 400m hurdles and the 4x400m U18 mixed relay.

According to the Vietnamese coaching board, the championships served as an opportunity to further evaluate the expertise of young Vietnamese athletes against their peers. Based on these results, officials will select those in top form to join the Vietnamese youth national athletics team for training in 2027. — VNS