Hanoi Aikido performances stun martial artists

Over 200 martial artists, instructors and coaches from Hanoi and other parts of the country gathered at the 2013 Aikido training and performance sessions in Hanoi from October 25-27, as part of activities to celebrate the 40 th anniversary of Vietnam–Japan diplomatic ties.

The event also welcomed the presence of the eighth Dan Aikika Fukakusa Motohiro from Japan.

Besides offering training, he also showed off his special techniques to the delight of visitors.

Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba in the 20 th century as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy and religious beliefs.

Entering Vietnam over 50 years ago, it is being developed in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and the provinces of An Giang, Khanh Hoa, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Ba Ria–Vung Tau and Lam Dong.

Hanoi now has 10 Aikido clubs with about 2,000 Aikido practitioners.

VN athletes win glory against rivals in Asian Petanque contest

The Asian Petanque Championships wrapped up on Saturday, with Vietnamese athletes walking away with one silver and six bronze medals.

Silver went to Viet Nam's team 2 in the men's triples category behind Thailand. Viet Nam 1 placed third.

Vietnamese athletes came in third at the five other events for women's triples and shooting, men's shooting, junior's triples and shooting.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese sport official Nguyen Dinh Lan was voted Deputy Chairman of the Asian Petanque Federation.

Lan, deputy director of the Ha Noi Culture, Sports and Tourism Department, will assist the new chairman Eddie Lim of Singapore in the period of 2013-16.

U23's beat Dong Nai 1-0

Viet Nam's U23 team defeated V-League's Dong Nai 1-0 in the second round match of the Binh Duong Television International Football Cup's Group B yesterday at Go Dau Stadium.

Thanh Hien scored the only goal of the match after receiving a corner kick from the left wing.

His attempts were some of many opportunities squandered by both sides.

Viet Nam's U23 team defeated V-League's Dong Nai 1-0 in the second round match of the Binh Duong Television International Football Cup's Group B yesterday at Go Dau Stadium.— Photo Duc Dong

"From this second match we have made several changes with a view to select the best team [for the SEA Games]."

"In this match, Hoang Thien and Ha Minh Tuan missed their chances in the first half, while Vu Minh Tuan and Mac Hong Quan failed to score

when they faced off with the opposing goalie," said coach Hoang Van Phuc.

Coach Tran Binh Su of Dong Nai agreed saying, "they are tactically strong, but their players could not capitalise on opportunities. Phuc has a lot of work to do."

In tomorrow's match, the U23s will play Bangu Athletico, a visiting team from Brazil.

Ha Noi fire to victory in shooting tourney with 18 golds

Hosts Ha Noi claimed all five titles yesterday at the National Shooting Championships at the national sport training centre.

Ngo Huu Vuong kicked off the day with gold in the men's 10m mixed running target event, scoring 383 points.

Pham Anh Dat triumphed in the men's 25m standard piston category, shooting 567.

Earlier Nguyen Thi Xuan topped the podium with 674 points in the women's 50m three-position final.

In the trap events, Nguyen Hoang Diep had no difficulty in winning the men's doubles with 134 points, while Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai won the women's title on 86 points.

After day five, Ha Noi still reigned the leader board with 18 gold medals, followed by the Military and Hai Duong.

Japan's Miky fastest in thrilling Ha Long marathon

Japan's Kito Miky won this year's 42km Ha Long Bay international marathon race which concluded on Sunday in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province.

Ly Van Chien of Hai Phong took out the men's 42km event, with Bui The Anh of Quang Ninh's Border Guard finishing first in the men's 21km division. Hoang Thi Thanh came in first in the women's category.

Le Van Thao of Thanh Hoa won the men's 5km event, while the women's division was won by Pham Thi Hue of Quang Ninh.

Do Quoc Lap of Quang Ninh's Border Guard clinched the men's 10km event while Nguyen Thi Oanh of Bac Giang took the women's division.

The event attracted 300 local and international athletes.

Hanoi triumphs at pencak silat championship

Hanoi won the National Pencak Silat Championships which concluded in the northern province of Hai Duong on October 27.

The team took top honours with seven gold medals, while the team from the host province finished runners-up and An Giang secured third.

The six-day event attracted 260 martial artists from 24 teams nationwide to contend for title in seni (performance) and tanding (combat) events in 11 men’s weight classes, between 45kg and over-110kg, and eight women’s weight categories, ranging from 45kg to over-75kg.-