Quyen wins bronze at martial arts champs

Nguyen Manh Quyen won a bronze medal in the men's martial arts event of taolu with 9.65 points at the Asian Wushu Championships in HCM City yesterday, Aug 22.

Taolu is a performance of set offensive and defensive wushu movements. Wushu is characterised by its dynamic and fluid motions along with aerial kicks, rolling techniques and weapons.

China's Wang Xi and Japan's Ichikizaki Daisuke finished first and second with 9.85 and 9.69 points respectively.

Today the tournament will continue its five taolu sets. Duong Thuy Vi is a medal hope in the women's event.

In the qualification round of shanshou (combat, as opposed to performance), three Vietnamese progressed to the next round.

Nguyen Thi Oanh overcame an Indian athlete in the women's 60kg event while Hoang Hong Tu and Nguyen Van Tai beat rivals from Laos and Kazakhstan in the men's 52kg and 65kg event.

The tournament will end on Saturday.

Indonesia to take part in int'l U21 football tourney

Indonesia have registered to take part in the sixth annual U21 International Football Tournament to be held in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai from October 11-21.

This is the first time Indonesia will take part in the even.

Iraq, Syria, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the hosts Viet Nam make up the line-up for this year's tournament.

The Indonesian senior team will also play two friendly matches with Viet Nam in Jakarta on September 14 and then in Ha Noi on September 22 in preparation for the Southeast Asian Football Federation Cup in November.

Indonesia defeated Viet Nam in the semi-finals of the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Jakarta last November.

Da Nang awards local football team VND1 billion

Da Nang's People's Committee has awarded VND1 billion (US$48,000) to SHB Da Nang for winning Viet Nam's top-flight football league this year.

Secretary of Da Nang City's Party Committee Nguyen Ba Thanh said he hoped the team would retain the title next season, and committed to increasing the prize money if they did.

As part of the post-season awards, 28 press agencies are voting for the best football fan club. Official fan clubs are required to have a management board, close links with their teams, and follow the laws and regulations of professional football.

Voting will close on Saturday.

Run for children to kick off at Thien Quang Lake

Around 10,000 people will take part in the Run for Children 2012 which is scheduled on November 25 at Thien Quang Lake, in downtown Ha Noi.

This event is aimed at raising awareness and compassion among Hanoians, businesses, the Canadian community and international friends who study and live in Viet Nam.

All proceeds will be used to fund programmes for sick children from poor families at the Ha Noi Heart Hospital, the National Hospital of Paediatrics, and Viet NamHeart Beat Fund. Funds will be raised from cash donations by participants, T-shirt and food sales, and corporate sponsorship.

VietNamNet/VNS