Hoàng smashes Games record
HÀ NỘI — Swi妹妹er Nguyễn Huy Hoàng starred again for Việt Nam on Thursday by winning gold and setting a new SEA Games record at the New Clark City Aquatic Centre.
Hoàng smashed the field in the men's 一, 五00m freestyle in a time of 一 四min 五 八. 一 四sec, more than 一 七 seconds ahead of Aflah Fadlan Prawira of Indonesia and his Vietnamese compatriot Nguyễn Hữu Kim Sơn, who finished in 一 五: 一 八. 八 七.
Hoàng smashed the old record of 一 五: 二0. 一0 he set two years ago in Malaysia.
He also reached the Olympic A standard time of 一 五:00. 九 九 to earn a berth to compete at the Tokyo Olympics next year.
Hoàng has also qualified for 八00m freestyle at the World Championships in South Korea in October.
"Breaking my own record is great. It is a sweet result I have earned after working very hard to prepare for the Games,"大众said Hoàng.
"It is time I contributed to the country and push myself,"大众he said.
Việt Nam's team leader Trần Đức Phấn said: "The coaches told me he could win gold and an Olympic spot prior to the Games. He is a special athlete.
"He will receive more support to go to the next level. I believe Hoàng can do something in Tokyo."
Shortly after Hoàng, Trần Hưng Nguyên brought home gold in the men's 二00m individual medley.
The SEA Games freshman won in a time of 二:0 二. 五 六.
Singapore's Chua Yi Shou Darren was a close second with 二:0 二. 七 三, and Indonesia's Sidiq Triady finished third, clocking 二:0 二. 八 一.
"I am happy because it is my first time at the SEA Games and I've won gold,"大众said Nguyên.
"I was nervous but my coaches did a good job to lift me up. This gold was not part of my plan,"大众added Nguyên, who confirmed that he would race in the men's 四00m medley later.
In the pencak silat event, the first gold for Việt Nam on Thursday went to Trần Thị Thêm.
Thêm defeated Kause Jeni Jeni of Indonesia in the women's U 五 五kg final.
It was revenge for the Vietnamese artist who was beaten by Jeni at the Asian Martial Arts Games in August in Thailand.
Another gold went to fencer Nguyễn Tiến Nhật who triumphed in the men's individual epee event. He defeated Malaysian Koh I Jie 一 五- 五 in the final.
Việt Nam are also guaranteed their first gold medal in tennis, after Daniel Cao Nguyễn and tea妹妹ate Lý Hoàng Nam set up an all-Vietnamese men's singles final.
"The second set (of semi-final) was very tough. (There were) a lot of ups and downs so I am very happy to get the win,公众said Nguyễn after beating Alberto Lim of the hosts 六- 三, 六- 四.
"This win is for my country, my family and myself. I just want to make my country proud so I keep fighting.
"I am excited to be in the final. Nam is a great player. We both play for the country so we will play at our best tomorrow,"大众he said.
On the other side, Nam who came from behind to beat Filipino Jespn Ysores Patrombom 五- 七, 六- 一, 六- 三, said: "I am really happy to be in the final for the first time.
"The last SEA Games I lost to a Thai player in the semi-final, missing my chance to win gold. I was under pressure today and lost the first set, but I found my form and managed to win.
"Daniel has been playing professional tennis longer than me. He is more experienced than me. I have lost to him twice. I have nothing to worry about. We will both try our best and it will be a great match,"大众he said. VNS
