VietNamNet Bridge – Two star athletes are out of the Vietnamese team bound for the Asian Athletics Championships in India early next month.

Truong Thanh Hang.—File Photo

They are Truong Thanh Hang and Vu Thi Huong, both out through injury. Another young talent, Quach Thi Lan, is at a training course in Bulgaria.

Among those expected to win medals is Do Thi Thao, in the women's 800m and 1,500m events. Thao pocketed three silvers in three legs of the Asian Grand Prix in Thailand and Sri Lanka.

Thao's main rivals will be Asian Games winner Magarista Masko, of Kazakhstan, and former world and Olympic champion Mariyam Jamal, from Bahrain.

Another hope is SEA Games bronze medalist high jumper Phan Thi Diem, who made a surprising personal best of 1.92m to win gold at an international tournament in Chinese Taipei in May.

Other athletes from Viet Nam are Duong Van Thai (men's 800m and 1,500m), Pham Tien San (men's 3,000m steeplechase), Dao Xuan Cuong (men's 400m hurdle), Nguyen Van Hue (men's decathlon) Nguyen Thi Huyen (women's 400m) and Tran Hue Hoa (women's triple jump).

Most of the team are young and have little international experience.

Thao, Thai and San are undergoing intensive training in China until June 30.

The team will arrive in India on July 1 to join 600 competitors from 40 countries and territories. They will compete in 42 events for both men and women from July 3-7.

Source: VNS