At the Asian Games, Vietnamese athletes enter a crucial slate of competition featuring two guaranteed boxing medals, opening bouts in judo and wrestling, and gold-medal aspirations in sepak takraw and shooting events. The daily schedule highlights high-stakes elimination rounds and tactical adjustments across multiple sports disciplines.
Boxing Semifinals Secure Guaranteed Medals
The standout fixtures for the national delegation center on the boxing semifinals, where the tournament format guarantees all final-four participants at least a bronze medal. Nguyen Thi Tam steps into the ring for the 51 kg weight class against Kazakhstan’s Alua Balkibekova, a two-time world champion and two-time Asian champion. In the 75 kg division, Luu Diem Quynh faces China’s Bao Ziyi, a 20-year-old competitor who claimed a bronze medal at the Youth World Championships. Both Vietnamese boxers advanced to the semifinal round following decisive 5-0 victories in their respective quarterfinals.
Judo and Wrestling Campaigns Begin Under Pressure
The combat sports schedule expands with the opening matches in judo and wrestling. In the judo competition, Ha Ngoc Chi competes in the 48 kg category against an Indian opponent, while Lam Thi Ngan Ha meets a Nepalese competitor in the 52 kg division. The coaching staff faces significant challenges in this discipline, as the delegation fields only two judoka who did not secure medals at the April Asian Championships. Meanwhile, women’s wrestling features Dang Thi Linh in the 68 kg weight class. The coaching staff has identified the wrestling squad as having strong potential to reach the podium, with Linh shifting down to the 68 kg division after reaching the quarterfinals in the 76 kg category at the previous Asian Games.
Sepak Takraw and Shooting Seek Further Glory
Following a second gold medal for the sports delegation in the women’s double sepak takraw event, team competition continues with high expectations. The men’s team of four squares off against Myanmar, while the women’s team faces India in preliminary action. On the shooting range, Pham Quang Huy, Lai Cong Minh, and Nguyen Dinh Thanh contest the 25-meter rapid-fire pistol qualification. Quang Huy previously secured a gold medal in the 10-meter air pistol event at the 19th Asian Games.
Golf Opening Round Tee-Times
The early groups set the pace as athletes start the opening phase of the tournament.
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