Viet Nam News
Asian Games
HA NOI — Vietnamese rowers won the country’s first gold medal in the women’s lightweight quadruple sculls event at the Asian Games (ASIAD) 2018 in Indonesia yesterday.
Ta Thanh Huyen, Luong Thi Thao, Ho Thi Ly and Pham Thi Thao completed the race in a time of 7:01.11, 3.27 seconds faster than the Iranian runners-up and 5.11 seconds faster than bronze medalists South Korea.
The Vietnamese girls burst into tears at the finish as they quenched Viet Nam’s thirst for gold after four days of competition.
The result was a much needed surprise after the failure of several hopes for gold.
“I have never thought that I can win gold medal in the continental leading event. We are very proud to bring the victory to the country,” said Huyen.
Tran Duc Phan, head of Viet Nam sports delegation in Indonesia couldn’t hide his joy.
“I am very happy and moved. The gold medal of rowing helped Viet Nam team ease the pressure. It will be a driving force for other athletes to perform better,” said Phan.
With this result, Vietnamese rowers will receive VND650 million (US$28,260) from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Viet Nam Olympic Committee and sponsors.
Meanwhile, rower Nguyen Thi Hai ended in fifth place in the women’s singles sculls, while Le Thi Hien and Pham Thi Hue finished last in the women’s pairs event.
Viet Nam took one more silver medal yesterday after wushu artist Bui Truong Giang lost to Shen Guoshun of China 2-0 in the men’s sanda 56kg category final.
Four years ago in Incheon, South Korea, Giang also bagged a silver medal after losing to a Chinese rival.
Giang, who was born in 1993 in the northern province of Thai Binh, won his first international bronze medal at the World Youth Wushu Championship in 2012 in Macau, China. He also won a silver medal at the World Youth Wushu Championships in 2014 in Turkey.
In other news of taekwondo, golden hope Truong Thi Kim Tuyen failed in the qualifying round. She lost to Yamada Miyu of Japan 27-35 in the women’s under 49kg.
This loss will be a lesson for world silver medalist Tuyen in upcoming events to earn a ticket to compete in the Olympic event which she dreams.
Tuyen’s teammate, Ly Hong Phuc was defeated 16-27 by Abughaush Ahmad of Jordan in the men’s 68kg.
In pencak silat, Pham Tuan Anh beat Botsavang O Khe of Laos 5-0 to qualify for the quarter-finals of men’s 65-70kg in which he will face Phuttan Wutthichai of Thailand.
SEA Games gold medalist Nguyen Duy Tuyen bested Phimmasone Savatvilay of Laos 5-0 in the men’s 85-90kg to reach the semi-finals. He will meet Pamungkas Aji Bangkit of India in the next phase.
Viet Nam now has 12 medals, one gold, four silvers and seven bronzes. — VNS