Vietnam to compete in 20 Asiad events

Sport officials confirmed on Wednesday that Vietnamese athletes will compete in 20 events at the 17th Asian Games (Asiad) to be held in Incheon, South Korea, in September.

Some 70 sportspersons will receive strong support in their aim to reach the top three positions in 15 events: shooting, archery, weightlifting, rowing, fencing, track-and-field, swimming, wushu, karate, taekwondo, boxing, wrestling, judo, sepak takraw and gymnastics.

Sportspersons participating in the remaining events – cycling, football, table tennis, badminton and volleyball – are expected to gain experience from competing with strong rivals.

At the last Asiad in Guangzhou, China, Viet Nam received just one gold medal, won by karate expert Le Bich Phuong. This year, the country hopes to bring home at least two gold medals.

Tien Minh qualifies for Korea Open semi-finals

Vietnamese No1 badminton player Nguyen Tien Minh trounced on Jong Soo Hwang from the host country in the second round of the Korea Open tourney.

Minh faced a ferocious attack from the Korean competitor in the first set that ended with 18-21 score in favour of Jong Soo Hwang.

The Vietnamese player leveled the score in the second set by winning 21-18. He then took advantage of Jong Soo Hwang, whose Elo rating is much lower than Minh, to claim a convincing victory of 21-9 in the third set.

In the upcoming semi-final round, Minh will compete against world No.2 player, Chen Long of China, who is seeded No.1 in the ongoing tournament.

Duan pedals to second stage win of Ben Tre cycling tournament

Le Van Duan of Eximbank HCM City 1 yesterday claimed the top spot in the 112km second stage from Can Tho City to Bac Lieu City in the National Men's Cycling Tournament – Ben Tre Television Cup after a 2hr 40min 36sec slog and clocking an average speed of 41.843km/h .

Second place went to Mai Nguyen Hung of Eximbank HCM City 1 with Le Nguyet Minh of Eximbank HCM City 2 coming in third.

After two stages, Hung stole the yellow jersey from Pham Phat Dat of host Ben Tre in 5hours and 35 minutes, while Dat came runner-up with the same record. Third place went to Le Van Dong clocking 5hr 35min 09sec.

Eximbank HCM City 2 had the lead after two stages in a time just clearing 16hr 45min, while second place went to ADC – Vinh Long Television 2. They were followed by Domesco Pharmacy Dong Thap 1 and VTV Can Tho.

The third stage, which spans 137km from Bac Lieu City to Vi Thanh City of Hau Giang, will continue this morning.