World record: Powerlifer Le Van Cong competes in the men's 49kg category at the Myanmar Para Games. The Vietnamese athlete won a gold medal with his world record result. — VNA/VNS Photo Huy Hung

HA NOI (VNS) — Le Van Cong yesterday matched the existing powerlifting world record to win gold at the ongoing ASEAN Para Games in Myanmar.

In the men's 49kg event, Cong lifted 176kg, equaling the world record set by Nigerian Yakubu Adesokan at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Powerlifting Asian Open Championships in Kuala Lumpur last year.

"I am really proud on winning this medal. Working hard in poor practising conditions in some ways helped me a lot to be successful. I hope that my success will play a role in encouraging people with disabilities to contribute more to our society," Cong said after stepping down from the podium.

Dato' Zainal Abu Zarin, President of Asian Paralympic Committee, who presented the medal to Cong, said he admired the Vietnamese athlete for matching the world record at a regional tournament. He hoped that Viet Nam would invest more in the sport and record similar achievements at the IPC Powerlifting World Championships held this April in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Earlier, Asian defending champion Nguyen Binh An successfully defended his title at the Games in the men's 54kg category, lifting 170kg.

Vietnamese swimmers proved their talent with five gold medals yesterday morning.

Vo Huynh Anh Khoa took his second title in the men's S9 200m freestyle race, leaving his nearest rival 25m behind when he touched the finish line.

Khoa was also the athlete who won Viet Nam its first gold on the first day of competition on Wednesday, winning the 400m freestyle with a time of 4min 57.65sec, setting a new Games record.

His colleague Dang Van Cong also shone yesterday, taking gold in the men's S8 50m backstroke event.

Pham Thanh Son clinched his title in the men's S9 100m butterfly race and Nguyen Van Hanh won the S7 50m breaststroke event.

In the track-and-field events, Vietnamese athletes won two gold medals and set as many Games records.

Nguyen Thi Thuy set a new Games record in the women's F44 long jump event with a 3.36m leap.

Cao Ngoc Hung threw his discus a distance of 45.87m in the men's F57/58 event, defending his crown and setting a new record Games.

On Wednesday, the first day of the Games, Vietnamese athletes topped the table with 11 gold medals. — VNS