Badminton players officially began their competition at the Ciputra Hanoi-Yonex Sunrise Vietnam International Challenge 2019 at the Tay Ho district gymnasium on April 9.

Vietnamese badminton players Do Tuan Duc and Pham Nhu Thao (L) triumphed at last year's tournament (Photo: thanhnien.vn)

The event proves its growing prestige as it drew the participation of 292 players from 18 countries and territories, including Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, which are strong in badminton.

On the day, the players competed in the men’s and women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.

This year’s competition sees the participation of such experienced players as Heo Kwang-hee of the Republic of Korea, the highest ranked player in the men’s singles, who is the world No 46, Firman Abdul Kholik of Indonesia, No 51, and Vietnam’s top player Nguyen Tien Minh, No. 64 in the world.

In the women’s singles, Indonesian Dinar Dyah Ayustine who is the reigning champion, Vietnamese Nguyen Thuy Linh and Malaysian Lee Ying Ying are the top three title candidates.

Vietnamese players compete in all the categories.

The event will last until April 14.

The Vietnam International Challenge has been running for 12 years and became an official tournament of the Badminton World Federation last year.