The first international Muay Thai Tournament took place in central city of Phan Rang – Thap Cham in the Ninh Thuan Province, on the evening of April 16. Vietnam’s Duy Nhat and Ngoc Linh were the champions of the men’s and women’s 57kg categories.

For the first time, Vietnamese players competed against semi-professional and professional players from Thailand,

the home of this martial art; with four semi-professional and two professional games.

The game between Vietnam’s Phan Thi Ngoc Linh (right) and Thai rival Vatinee Saranbusu (women’s 57kg category).

Ngoc Linh (left) defeated Vatinee Saranbusu, a member of Thai
national Muay Thai team, to win the championship belt.

Vietnam’s Vo Van Dai, who won a silver medal at the World Muay Thai Championship 2010,

was trounced by Thai player Pongisiri Gong Gerd for 1-2 (men’s 59kg).

Current World Muay Thai champion (men’s 57kg) Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat (Vietnam), vanquished Kamphon

Yodsungnoen to take the championship belt in a tense game.

At men’s 54kg, Vietnam’s Nguyen Phu Long got an injury after 39 seconds of battle. Thai player Sarawut Sucharit won the championship belt. Finally, Vietnam and Thailand took two championship belts each.

PV