Vietnam dominates Southeast Asian karate champs

Vietnamese athletes pose for a group photo after winning the eighth Southeast Asian Karate Federation Championship in Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: Thailand Karate Federation)

Vietnamese athletes grabbed 22 golds, 20 silvers and 25 bronzes in five days of competition.

Among the winners are Nguyen Thi Phuong in the women’s kata (performance), Dinh Thi Huong in the women’s U55kg kumite (combat), Nguyen Thi Ngoan in the women’s 61kg kumite and Nguyen Tien Luc in the men’s U60kg kumite events.

Hosts Thailand came second with 13 golds and Malaysia were at third with 9 titles.

It was the second time in a row that Vietnam with a team of 80 athletes took the leading role at the regional karate championship.

Last year, as the hosts Vietnam won 29 gold and 24 silver medals./.