HCM CITY — Vietnamese athletes will face tough competition at the 19th HCM City International Track and Field Championships which starts tomorrow, as countries in the region are sending their best athletes.

The Asian Games' 200m silver medalist, Vu Thi Huong, is trying to regain her form after a poor performance in the Southeast Asia Games last year and international tournaments this year.

She will face a strong competitor, Adabi Siti Zubaidah of Malaysia, in the women's 100m and 200m events.

In the women's triple jump, SEA Games gold medallist Tran Hue Hoa will face Londa Maria Natalia of Indonesia, whose jump was only three centimetres behind Hoa at the SEA Games last year. Londa is also very strong in the long jump.

In the javelin event, South Korea's Ku Yun-hoi is the favourite to win gold. His 74.85m achievement even surpasses Viet Nam's record.

Malaysia's Yap Jeng Tzan is strong in the women's discus throw, and Hussein Adi Aliffudin is the favourite to win gold in the men's shot put.

However, in the women's 800m and 1500m events, Truong Thanh Hang, the Asian Games' double silver medallist, will likely win gold because she has few true rivals.

National record-holder Nguyen Thanh Ngung is tipped to win gold in the men's 10,000m walk.

Around 450 athletes from 10 countries in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region will participate in the annual track and field tournament.

Viet Nam will have a total of 300 athletes, taken from its national team and from 27 provinces and cities.

The tournament will end on Thursday. — VNS