SEA Games

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam won a bronze in sepak takraw on August 25 morning, the first medal on day 6 of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Malaysia.

The women’s team won the bronze medal after losing 16-21, 18-21 to Myanmar in the semi-final of the sepak takraw’s quadrant event. Myanmar won the gold, while Indonesia took the silver.

In the past, Việt Nam used to be a powerhouse in sepak takraw, just behind Thailand. But in recent years, performance has slipped and Việt Nam have lost their position in the world as well as in the SEA Games.

In swimming, there is hope of Nguyễn Thị Ánh Viên winning a hat-trick today as she will take part in three finals.

The 20-year-old will first swim in the women’s 400m individual medley, her strong point; it has no qualification. The second event is the 200m breaststroke, in whose heats she timed 2:35.89. She is the defending champion and record holder in these two categories.

Viên will also contest in the 50m backstroke final; her time of 29.70sec put her at top place in the qualifier. Two years ago, in Singapore, she finished third after Tao Li and Shana Lim Jia Yi of Singapore, who are both absent this time in Malaysia. Nguyễn Diệp Phương Trâm will also vie for a medal in this event. She ranked No. 4 in the qualifier.

Nguyễn Hữu Kim Sơn qualified for the men’s 400m individual medley with a time of 4min 36.07sec, but his teammate Trần Duy Khôi failed at 4:49.65.

Hoàng Quý Phước and Lê Nguyễn Paul also qualified for the men’s 50m freestyle, with Paul coming third (23.31sec) and Phước fifth (23.38) in the qualifier.

In basketball, the women’s squad were trounced 44-118 by the Philippines in the group round at the Malaysia Basketball Association Stadium.

In shooting, Phùng Lê Huyên and Nguyễn Duy Hoàng advanced to the final of the men’s three-position rifle. However, women shooters Nguyễn Thị Xuân and Iwaki Ai failed to make it to the top three in the 10m air rifle event.

In table tennis, Việt Nam’s men’s team beat Cambodia 3-0 in the group round, topping Group B after three wins and earning a berth in the semi-finals. The women’s team lost 0-3 to Singapore and will next play Indonesia.

Today, track-and-field athletes will take part in many events. Việt Nam are expected to win in the women’s 5,000m, men’s 10,000m, men’s javelin and women’s long jump events.

Pencak silat and taekwondo competitions will also be held today. Martial arts are Việt Nam’s strong points in international competitions.

Meanwhile, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyễn Ngọc Thiện sent a letter of congratulations to the Việt Nam SEA Games delegation this morning, expressing his happiness at the team’s success. On behalf of the ministry, Thiện congratulated all athletes, especially those in gymnastics, karate, cycling, athletics, fencing, wushu, shooting and women’s football, and expressed hope that the team would continue performing well in the competition. — VNS