VietNamNet Bridge – Hanoian athletes win up to 30 per cent of Viet Nam’s gold medals at international events, and they are expected to do the same in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games.

Fencer Nguyen Thanh An promises to compete with his best in SEA Games during a meet between officials and coaches and athletes of Ha Noi before their leave for SEA Games. — Photo thethaovietnam.vn

At a meet on Monday, To Van Dong, director of Ha Noi’s culture and sports department, encouraged the capital city’s athletes to continue performing well at the SEA Games in Malaysia, which will kick off on August 19.

Ha Noi is the country’s leading sports hub, and in the SEA Games, around 150 athletes from the capital city, which is one-fourth of the delegation, will compete in 24 events.

The sportspersons have received strong support in the form of training and competitions to sharpen their skills months before the events. Many of them, such as fencer Vu Thanh An, gymnast Dinh Phuong Thanh and taekwondo fighter Ha Thi Nguyen are expected to deliver outstanding performances in Kuala Lumpur.

Athletes in archery, athletics, cycling and karate also have a good chance of bringing home golds.

At the previous Games in Singapore two years ago, Ha Noi’s competitors grabbed 25 of Viet Nam’s 73 golds.

Dong wished all participating athletes from Viet Nam in general and Ha Noi in particular his best for the Games.

Three days before the SEA Games’ opening ceremony, archer Nguyen Tien Cuong of Ha Noi will take part in his competition. The defending champion hopes to bring the first gold home in the men’s individual compound event. The world No 72 is the highest ranking player in Southeast Asia. 

VNS