Viet Nam finish third at ISTAF champs

The national women's sepak takraw team beat hosts Indonesia 15-12, 12-15, 15-12, 15-12 to take third place at the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF) Super Series in Palembang on Sunday.

After Indonesia levelled the match in the second set, Lai Thi Huyen Trang was replaced by teammate Cao Thi Hai Yen. The latter used her height and windmill serves to help the team overcome Indonesia, who had prevailed against Viet Nam 15-12, 12-15, 15-10, 15-12 in the qualifying round.

However, the Vietnamese victory saw the team solidify their third place ranking in the ISTAF Super Series and second place in the world.

Thailand, who defeated Viet Nam in the semi-finals, won the title after a tough battle with South Korea in the final.

VN bodybuilders claim three medals

Illustrative image.
The Viet Nam bodybuilding team took two silver and one bronze medal at the Southeast Asian Bodybuilding Championships, which concluded in Myanmar yesterday, Feb 27.

Nguyen Hai Au and Se Pha won silver medals in the men's 70kg and 75kg events, respectively, while Bui Van Vien earned a bronze in the men's 55kg event.

Au's silver was a disppointment as he was expected to defend his title grabbed two years ago in Singapore.

Sai Gon Heat get first win

Sai Gon Heat defeated defending champions Chang Thailand Slammers 60-55 for their first win in the eighth round of the Asian Basketball League at the Tan Binh Gymnasium in HCM City on Sunday.

The team continuously led the game in the first three sets. However, the guests levelled the game to 48-48 just a few minutes after the fourth set started. The two clubs put in excellent performances, but the excellence of Noy Javier put the hosts in the lead by three points before the score flew to 57-53 to win Sai Gon Heat the game.

The team will try to maintain their momentum in their next game against Singapore Slingers on March 7 in Singapore.

Women prepare for cycling race

The Binh Duong International Womens Cycling Tournament, known as the Biwase Cup, will take place from March 8-14 with the participation of 11 national teams alongside South Korea, Thailand and Malaysia.

Racers will compete across 600km of Binh Duong, Binh Thuan and Dong Nai provinces.

HCM City players win Xiangqi gold

Nguyen Hoang Lam and Cao Phuong Thanh from HCM City won gold medals at the National Xiangqi (Chinese chess) Championships.

Lam only needed a draw to take first position in the men's event, but managed to defeat Dao Quoc Hung from HCM City by two points to palm the gold medal. Hung took the second place and Ton That Nhat Tan from Da Nang City third.

Meanwhile, Thanh beat Ngo Thu Ha from the Ministry of Public Security to take the lead in the women's event, followed by Ha and teammate Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News