Sports
Việt Nam Regional Specialities Fair 2024 starts in Hà Nội
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| Nguyễn Thị Như Hoa (second, left) and her coaches pose for photo after winning her top place in China. — Photo zing.vn |
Viet Nam News -
HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam pocketed two Olympic slots in fencing during Asia-Pacific zonal qualification matches in China yesterday.
Nguyễn Thị Như Hoa defeated Ulyana Balaganskaya of Kazakhstan 15-5 in the women’s epee final.
Earlier, Hoa beat Lim Cheryl of Singapore 14-12 and Chinese Taipei’s Chang Chialing 8-7.
According to Phùng Lê Quang, head of the Việt Nam Sports Administration’s Fencing Department, Hoa’s victory was a surprise. The 32-year-old qualified as the top athlete in the category.
Her teammate Vũ Thành An grabbed his own ticket in the men’s sabre event.
The Southeast Asian Games champion got a first round bye and had no difficulty to defeat rivals from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to enter the final.
The top three players in the men’s tournaments will automatically qualify.
Hoa and An will be Viet Nam’s second and third fencers to compete in the Olympics in history
Qualification continues today with leading athletes, Nguyễn Tiến Nhật and Nguyễn Lệ Dung participating.
Four years ago, Nhật became the first Vietnamese fencer to compete at the Olympic Games in London.
Việt Nam have secured 11 Olympic slots. The country set a target of sending at least 18 athletes to the Rio de Janeiro Games this summer. -- VNS
