Viet Nam lead regional canoe champs; Badminton champs kick off; Thai Son Nam win futsal contest

The national members dominated the tournament with six golds in women’s and men’s single 500m and double 500m events.

Four other gold medals went to the national junior team, who competed in the youth tournament.

According to Viet Nam coach Nguyen Van Thang, good weather conditions and preparation were two key elements in the team’s victory.

Viet Nam led the competition with total of 15 gold, eight silvers and four bronzes. Host Singapore were second, with 5-8-16. Thailand ranked third, earning 6-9-0.

Badminton champs kick off

The National Top Badminton Players Championships kicked off yesterday in the northern province of Vinh Phuc.

More than 50 athletes have registered to take part in the event, the last competition of 2008, which has five categories of men’s and women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

The absence of Le Ngoc Nguyen Nhung, one of top national top players, is deeply felt. She is busy with family matters.

In the men’s singles, national No 1 seed Nguyen Tien Minh will defend his title. Ranking 17th in the world after winning the Viet Nam Open last week, Minh is a good bet to nab the VND10 million (US$600) winner’s pot.

Son makes 20 youngest chess GMs

Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, 18, was named one of the world’s 20 youngest chess grand masters, reported the website chessbase.com .

Son was the only representative from Viet Nam and the second in the Southeast Asia, after Wesley So of the Philippines, to make the list. The record holder was Sergey Karjakin of the Ukraine who won the GM title at 12 years and seven months.

Son was listed 13th on the list after becoming an International Grand Master in 2004 at the age of 14 years and 10 months. The Kien Giang-based player became the world U10 champion in 2000 and has nabbed a number of domestic and international titles since then.

At the recent Chess Olympiad competition in Dresden, Germany, Son played a key role in helping Viet Nam team rank ninth.

Thai Son Nam win futsal contest

Viet Nam’s Thai Son Nam defeated a Malaysian team 10-2 to win the second HCM City International Futsal (indoor football) Championship Kinh Do-Vinacapital Cup 2008 yesterday in Phu Tho Stadium.

After a three-day round robin, Thai Son Nam earned a total seven points in three matches to secure first place and received a US$5,000 prize.

Total Sports of Japan passed Thailand in the last day of the competition to get four points and take the $3,000 second place prize.

Organisers also awarded best player to Lertchai Issarasuwipakorn of Thai Son Nam and best goalkeeper to Kyohei Noda of Total Sports. Each received a $200 prize.

The second international futsal tournament which kicked off in HCM City last Friday attracted four teams from Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and host Viet Nam.

(Source: Viet Nam News)