Gymnast Thanh wins gold at world cup

Phan Thi Ha Thanh won a gold medal in the World Cup in Varna, Bulgaria, in the women's beam yesterday, May 10.

Hai Phong-born Thanh ranked second, with 13.750 points in the qualifying round, behind IIaria Kaeslin of Switzerland. But in the final she defeated seven strong rivals to win the gold medal with 14.200 points.

Gymnast Phan Thi Ha Thanh – File photo

The silver medal went to Kim Un Hyang of North Korea with 13.867 points, and the bronze medal was awarded to Kaeslin of Switzerland with 13.850 points.

Thanh is a leading contender in Vietnamese gymnastics. She previously won four Asian gold medals and two world gold medals and is expected to bring home at least three golds at the coming 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore next month.

In the men's vault, Le Thanh Tung won a bronze medal with 14.700 points.

Viet Nam sent nine gymnasts to the Cup, which will finish today.

Viet Nam to leave for SEA Games

A send-off ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation to the 28th Southeast Asian Games is planned at the National Sports Centre in Ha Noi on May 19, marking the 125th anniversary of the birth of President Ho Chi Minh.

According to Tran Duc Phan, Deputy Director of the General Department of Sports and Physical Training, who heads the delegation, Viet Nam will send 440 athletes and compete in 402 events in 27 sports.

Athletics, gymnastics, swimming, martial arts and shooting are Viet Nam's major opportunities in the hunt for gold, as the country hopes to earn 60 to 70 gold medals at the Games, which will take place from June 5-16 with the participation of some 7,000 athletes from 11 countries in the region.

Triet wins first stage of cycling tour

Pham Minh Triet won the first stage of the "Return to the Countryside" cycling tournament, or the An Giang Plant Protection Cup yesterday, May 10.

Triet, of An Giang's Gao Hat Ngoc Troi, took the lead with a time of 1:49.47 and an average speed of 38.315kmph in the 70km stage while cycling from Long Xuyen City to Rach Gia City.

Also, Nguyen Minh Thien of Vinh Long and Nguyen The Luc finished second and third, respectively.

With this win, Triet won the yellow jersey for the best overall time after the first stage.

With Triet's effort, Gao Hat Ngoc Troi lead the team race with a combined time of 5:30.03, followed by Vinh Long and Military Zone 7.

Today, cyclists will continue on to the second 126km stage, travelling from Rach Gia to Ca Mau City.

The seven-day event, which attracted 95 athletes from 20 teams, including Cambodia, will continue until May 17.

Hai replaced Luong on national team

2014 Vietnamese Golden Ball winner Pham Thanh Luong has left the national football team because he has not recovered from an injury.

The team's Japanese coach, Toshiya Miura, has called upon striker Nguyen Quang Hai to replace Luong in preparation for the World Cup 2018's Asian qualifier zone.

Hai is a key player from the Quang Ninh Coal club in the national premier league. He helped Viet Nam defeat Singapore in the 2008 AFF Suzuki Cup.

Meanwhile, 26-year-old player Luong is best known for his performances during the 2008 AFF Suzuki Cup that helped Viet Nam win their first title. He was the former captain of the Vietnamese national U23 team.

VNS