Muscle man: Vietnamese Pham Van Mach performs to bring home a gold medal from the Asian Bodybuilding Championships which closed in China yesterday. — VNS Photo

HA NOI (VNS)— Pham Van Mach successfully defended his men's under-55kg category title at the Asian Bodybuilding Championships, which wrapped up yesterday in Guangzhou, China.

His female teammate, Dinh Kim Loan, later achieved the team's goal by winning a gold in the U49kg class.

It is the seventh time the An Giang Province-born Mach has stepped up to the top podium of the continental tournament. He equalled the record of Vietnamese legend Ly Duc.

Meanwhile Loan made a great comeback after losing her title last year.

She previously triumphed three times in a row from 2008-10.

Regrettably for the Vietnamese team, however, the world champion Nguyen Thi My Linh failed to conquer the Asian event, losing to the host rival, Liang Yue Yun, in the final of the women's fitness pool.

Viet Nam also pocketed four silver medals, which were claimed by Nguyen Anh Thong in the men's U60kg, Nguyen Hai Au in the men's U70kg, Kosa Dinh Huu Cong in the boys' over-70kg and Tran Thi Cam Tu in the women's 1.55m fitness.

Two bronzes were also awarded: one to Nguyen Ngoc Tien in the women's 1.55m fitness and the other to Pham Duc Dai in the boys' U70kg.

The Asian championships drew more than 180 athletes from 32 countries and territories. Viet Nam participated with 16 representatives. — VNS