Vietnamese martial artists have pocketed seven golds, 11 silvers and 21 bronzes at the Asian Martial Arts Games in Thailand, ranking sixth among 40 participating countries.

On the games’ final day on August 8, Nguyen Tuan Hoc secured a silver medal in Kurash in men’s under-73kg division. Although defeating Iraqi rival, Alshamri Slaf, Hoc, however, lost the game to Mustafayev Ramazan of Kazakhstan.

Earlier on August 7, Vietnamese Kurash artists Nguyen Thi Lan (women’s U- 57kg) and Nguyen Thi Huong (women’s U-63kg) won two silver medals, bringing Vietnam’s total medal in Kurash event to three silvers and one bronze – an achievement that Vietnamese sport officials have not thought of before participating in the games.

In karatedo, young female artist Bui Thi Trieu outstandingly beat China’s Feng Lanlan 2-0, but lost to Japan’s Maejima Sayuri in a semi-final. Trieu beat Soriano Mae 4-3 to snatch a bronze.

On August 7, the Vietnamese martial artists won five golds, with four coming from Pencak Silat.

The four gold medals in Pencak Silat went to Truong Van Mao in men’s 75kg division, Huynh Thi Thu Hong in women’s 55kg category, Le Thi Hong Ngoan in women’s 70 kg division, and Le Thi Phi Nga in women’s 50kg class.

The last gold on the day went to female kick-boxer Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai in women’s 56kg class.

Thailand topped the medal tally with 21 golds, 17 silvers, and 16 bronzes. It was followed by Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea, China and Japan.

Vietnam sent 87 artists to compete in wushu, taekwondo, Pencak Silat, Muay Thai, karatedo, kurash and judo at the Asian Martial Arts Games which ends on August 9.

VietNamNet/VNA