Vietnam win Asian Taekwondo Poomsae Championship
Vietnam have emerged at the top in the Asian Cadet Taekwondo Poomsae Championship, held on June 6 in HCM City.
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The hosts pocketed four golds, three silvers and one bronze. All gold medals went to the poomsae (performance) crew, who had been given the target of winning at least two titles, the number they won last year.
The first gold was won by the girls’ team recognised poomsae pool with trio Nguyen Kim Phuong, Le Ngoc Han and Nguyen Thi Minh Anh, who won 7.870 points for their first performance and 7.860 point for the second. With an average of 7.865, they triumphed the event at the Military Zone 7 Gymnasium.
Thailand came second with 7.635 points and Chinese Taipei were at third at 7.615 points.
Vietnam’s second gold was won by Nguyen Quang Tri and Nguyen Kim Phuong in the mixed duo recognised poomsae category. They won 7.970 points to overcome Thailand (7.880 points) and claim the title.
Nguyen Thi Minh Anh and Bui Anh Tuan won the third gold for the country in the mixed duo freestyle poomsae, with 7.04 points.
Minutes later, their teammates topped the mixed gender team with 6.87 points.
The three silvers were won by the boys’ team recognised poomsae by Nguyen Quang Tri, Nguyen Van Dang and Le Nhat Hao; boys’ individual freestyle poomsae by Nguyen Duc Thinh; and girl’s individual freestyle poomsae by Chau Ngoc Tuyet Sang.
The only bronze was bagged by Le Nhat Hao for the boys’ individual recognised poomsae.
Thailand were second in the poomsae championship, with two golds and three silvers. Iran came third with two golds, one silver and three bronzes.
“The absence of the Republic of Korea in the poomsae tournament gave more opportunities to Vietnamese athletes. Four gold medals are much better than the target we set prior to the championship, but it is not a surprise because we prepared very well,” said head coach Nguyen Thanh Huy of Vietnam. “We have a number of young and talented athletes. They will be Vietnam’s core team in international tournaments in the future.”
In the first action of the Asian Cadet Taekwondo Championship on Tuesday, Vietnamese athletes were not successful. Despite three fighters entering the finals, the hosts did not win a gold medal.
Nguyen Van The Trung (boys’ U53kg), Nguyen Thi Nhy Y (girls’ U44kg) and Pham Ngoc Cham (girls’ U47kg) won silver medals.
The combat events will finish late today.
It is the second time that this tournament for athletes from 12 to 14 years has been organised. The first time was in Chinese Taipei in 2015.
