The central city will hold the Da Nang International Marathon 2015 on August 30, the city's culture and society department official Hoang Son Tra said on Wednesday.

Last year, 3,500 participants, including 400 professional marathoners from 25 countries and territories, competed in the race. — Photo danang

The event, which has been included in the schedule of the International Amateur Athletics Association-Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (IAAF-AIMS), is expected to draw 1,500 professional marathoners from across the world, who will compete in marathon (42km), half marathon (21km) and Fun Run and Walk (5km), and 5,000 amateurs and tourists.

According to Tra, the athletes competing in the Da Nang International Marathon will qualify for the Boston Marathon.

The one-day event, which is organised by World Marathon Inc and Vice-Chairman of International Amateur Athletics Association (IAAF), Dave Cundy, will consist of a two-lap route, starting from the East Sea Park, for the full marathon.

The marathon is one of several international events, including the Fireworks Competition, Iron man and yachting, which will be held in the city this year.

Last year, 3,500 participants, including 400 professional marathoners from 25 countries and territories, competed in the race.

Athletes can register for the marathon at www.rundanang.com.     

Viet Nam triumphs at regional taekwondo championship

Viet Nam's team took the lead at the 12th ASEAN Taekwondo Federation (ATF) Championships, which concluded at the Lanh Binh Thang Gymnasium in HCM City on Wednesday.

During the event, 46 gold, 29 silver and 19 bronze medals were awarded, of which the team won 21 gold medals during a performance event and 13 gold medals in combat.

The Philippines stood second with 21 gold, 26 silver and nine bronze medals, while Malaysia came in third, with five gold, nine silver and 18 bronze medals.

The three-day event had attracted more than 300 athletes, competing for 172 sets of medals, including 56 sets in the combat category and 116 for demonstration.

HCM City dominate diving comps

Athletes from HCM City won the diving events at the National Swimming and Diving Championships, which concluded yesterday (March 26) in Hue.

As the national sports hub, the city's team had no difficulty in grabbing six gold, three silver and seven bronze medals after three days of competitions.

Ha Noi came in second with five gold and five silver medals, followed by Da Nang, which bagged five gold and four silver medals.

Athletes set 29 new records in which 19 were in individual events in Hue.

Ha Nam hold HCM City to draw

HCM City failed to steal the top position on their home turf after a goalless match against Phong Phu Ha Nam during the last round of the National Women's Football Championship yesterday, March 26.

The unexpected draw resulted in HCM City staying at the second spot with 14 points in the rankings as the first stage concluded.

Defending champions Ha Noi 1 cemented its top position with 16 points. The third place went to Viet Nam Coal and Minerals.

The teams will have nearly two months off before taking part in the second phase in June.

Kazakhstan's Astana enter international volleyball event's semi-finals

Kazakhstan's Astana beat Vietinbank 3-2 during a Group B match and entered the semi-finals of the 2015 VTV-Binh Dien International Women's Volleyball Championship in Quang Tri Province on Wednesday.

Astana won 16-25, 25-23, 26-24, 22-25 and 17-15.

Earlier, Lienvietpostbank had also earned a ticket to play in the semi-final round.

Today, Vietinbank will play against China's Fujian and VTV-Binh Dien Long An will face North Korea's 4.25 Club.

Vietnam eye singles medal in Singapore

Vietnam’s tennis team is aiming to bring home at least one medal from the tennis singles events at the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore this June.

Vietnam have yet to win a medal in singles events, but won three bronzes in the women’s team, men’s doubles and women’s doubles events at the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia.

The team is confident with their chances of meeting their goal with the participation of Ly Hoang Nam.

Nam went all the way to the finals at the International Tennis Federation (ITF)’s Group I junior tennis championship in Thailand earlier this month and went on to win another Group I tournament in Malaysia.

Nguyen Hoang Thien recorded a convincing win over a Turkish player at the on-going David Cup in Malaysia.

Trinh Linh Giang has achieved strong results at national championships in recent years.

Do Minh Quan, a previous national champion, will play on the team as well.

Several-time national champion Huynh Phuong Dai Trang is expected to lead the women’s side with Huynh Phi Khanh and Sy Boi Ngoc.

VNS/VNA