Vietnamese competitors secured two silvers and one bronze medal in xiangqi, rowing and sepak takraw on the 6th day of competition at the on-going 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China yesterday.

Vietnamese rowers exceeded expectations when Dang Thi Tham, Dang Thi Hanh, Nguyen Thi Huu, Tran Thi Sam won the silver medal for Vietnam in the lightweight 2,000m sculls for four in a fierce competition between the host China, Vietnam and Iran. At the finish line, Vietnamese rowers finished second with a time of 6 minutes and 48.43 seconds behind the Chinese gold medallists who clocked 6 minutes and 35 seconds. Iran came in third with 6 minutes, 52.45 seconds.

Earlier on Thursday, Pham Thi Thao and Pham Thi Hue city bagged the first silver medal in rowing for Vietnam in the 2,000m women’s double sculls.

On Friday, Vietnamese master Nguyen Thanh Bao beat his opponent from Hong Kong (China) in his final match of the men’s individual xiangqi event, accumulating a total of 11 points, which was equal to China’s Hong Zhi but Bao ranked second because of his previous loss to the Chinese master. In the women’s individual event, Ngo Lan Phuong only ranked fourth with nine points. Both gold and silver medals in this event went to Chinese masters while Chinese Taipei took the bronze.

In women’s sepak takraw, the Vietnamese team, which placed second in Group C, took on Group D’s first place Thailand in the semi-finals. Vietnam started the game with their best players but failed to show their strength and only took the bronze after losing 2-0 to their Thai rivals.

As of yesterday, Vietnam have won 11 silver and 11 bronze medals, standing at 20th in the medal tally.

Source: Nhan Dan