Runner Nguyen Thi Oanh (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Athletics competitions of SEA Games 31 wrapped up on May 19 with the lastfour events and host Vietnam retaining its ‘throne’.
The Vietnamese delegation made history by winning 22 goldmedals, surpassing its set target of 15-17. Track and field continued to be Vietnam’s ‘gold mine’ at the region's largest sporting event.
With these achievements, Vietnam topped the athletics medaltally for three consecutive years.
On May 19 morning alone, athletes of the host nation bagged golds in three out offour events.
Hoang Nguyen Thanh brought home the first ever gold medal inthe men’s marathon at SEA Games, quenching Vietnam’s thirst after more than 60years.
Marathoner Hoang Nguyen Thanh (Photo: VNA)Thanh faced fierce competition from defending champion AgusPrayogo of Indonesia and Tony Ah-Thit Payne of Thailand.
He reached the finish line first after 2:25:08, faster thanthe second-placed Prayogo by 30 seconds, and set a new personal record.
Vo Xuan Vinh and Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuc also triumphed in themen’s and women’s 20km walk, respectively.
Previously, Nguyen Linh Na pocketed a gold in the women’s heptathlonfor Vietnam after 17-year drought.
Bui Thi Nguyen clocked 13.51 to win a gold in the women’s100m hurdles, while Lo Thi Hoang sprang a surprise in the women’s javelin throwwith 56.37m, setting a new SEA Games record.
Runners Nguyen Thi Oanh and Nguyen Thi Huyen wereoutstanding gold medallists of Vietnam.
Oanh successfully defended her title in her three fortes: the women’s 1,500m; 5,000m and 3,000m steeplechase, in which she broke her ownrecord set in the previous SEA Games.
This year, Huyen claimed the 10th gold for her collection ofgold medals at SEA Games.
The biggest regret was that Le Tu Chinh was ruled out of SEA Games 31 by injuries, a considerable loss to the host country in the women’s100m and 200m races and 4x100m relay. She used to pocket four gold medals atthe two previous Games.
Athletic events took place at My Dinh National Stadium inHanoi from May 14 to 19.
Success in athletics, dubbed ‘Queen of Sports’ and a popularOlympic one, proved that Vietnam has been on the right track in investment strategyof sports.
General Secretary of the Vietnam Athletics Federation NguyenManh Hung expressed his hope that recent achievements will inspire youngtalents so that the country’s athletics will take off further.
At SEA Games 29 held in Malaysia in 2017, the team obtainedup to 17 gold medals for the first time in the regional sporting event’shistory, almost doubling Thailand’s results, though the initial target was setat about 10 - 12 golds.
Two years later, track and field athletes of Vietnam won 16golds, 13 silvers, and nine bronzes, sustaining their top place on the medaltable at SEA Games 30 in the Philippines.
SEA Games 31, themed “For a Stronger South East Asia”, isbeing held in Hanoi and 11 neighbouring provinces and cities until May 23.
It features 40 sports with 523 events, attracting around10,000 participants. The biennial event was initially slated for late 2021 butdelayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic./.
