Boxers leave their mark in India; Athletes run for peace in Ha Noi; Ha Noi Open tourney starts today; China hosts first World Mind Games

Viet Nam won two silvers and two bronze medals at the Asian Women’s Boxing Championship in India.

Ngo Thi Phuong and Nguyen Thi Vui lost in the finals of the U-48kg and U-57kg categories.

Earlier, Nguyen Thi Hoa and Ngo Thi Chung trounced their rivals in the U-46kg and U-54kg classes to win bronze medals.

The tournament, which ran from September 24-29, drew fighters from 20 countries and territories.

According to the head of the national boxing department, it was Vietnam best performance in an Asian competition.

In 2005 Vietnamese boxers won three bronze medals.

Viet Nam’s next international competition will be the world championship in China later this year.

Athletes run for peace in Ha Noi

The final round of the 35th Run for Peace-Ha Noi Moi Newspaper will be held on Sunday in the capital with the participation of more than 1,200 athletes.

The race around Hoan Kiem Lake will mark the 54th anniversary of Hanoi’s liberation (October 10th).

The amateur race will be 3.5km for men and 1.75km for women, while the men’s professional race will be 8.7km and the women’s 5.2km.

The event also celebrates the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Run Day, which was established on June 23, 1948.

Thousands of runners competed in the qualifying rounds, which started in June and finished by the end of September.

The first Olympic Day Run in 1987 saw runners from 45 countries compete.

Ha Noi Open tourney starts today

The 12th Ha Noi Open Badminton Championship kicks off at the Trinh Hoai Duc Gymnasium today.

This year’s tournament will be the biggest yet due to the enlargement of Ha Noi City, which now includes former Ha Tay Province.

According to organisers, there will be separate events for amateurs and professionals.

Sponsors Ha Noi Television and Radio have tripled the professional winners’ prize money to VND3 million. They will also be given gifts totalling some VND2.5 million.

The finals take place on Sunday.

China hosts first World Mind Games

Viet Nam yesterday headed for Beijing to take part in the first World Mind Sports Games, which start tomorrow.

The 29-member delegation will compete in three events – chess, Chinese chess (xiangqi) – a demonstration event – and go.

They will compete against 3,800 rivals from 140 countries and territories. Viet Nam will not be competing in bridge and draughts.

Apart from Viet Nam, Southeast Asia will be represented by Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar and the Philippines

(Source: Viet Nam News)