Vietnam Para Swimmers Claim Gold and Silver in Aichi-Nagoya
Vietnamese para swimmers Do Thanh Hai and Le Tien Dat secured a gold-and-silver finish in the men’s 100-meter breaststroke SB5 final at the 5th Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Do Thanh Hai touched the wall first with a time of 1’33″91 on October 21, while Le Tien Dat followed in second place at 1’36″63, finishing 2.72 seconds behind his compatriot.
Shifting Podiums in the SB5 Breaststroke Class
The 1-2 finish marks a reversal of positions between the two Vietnamese competitors compared to the previous edition. At the Asian Para Games 2022 in Hangzhou, Le Tien Dat claimed the gold medal, whereas Do Thanh Hai took the silver in the exact same event. Iranian swimmer Rashidabadi Ali rounded out the recent podium in Japan by capturing the bronze medal with a time of 1’47″78.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh congratulated both athletes on their performances in Aichi-Nagoya. The minister praised their courage, determination, and competitive spirit, while requesting that exceptional bonuses be granted to the medalists swiftly.
Regional Sports Exchange Brings Athletes to Ninh Binh
Beyond the elite international competition in Japan, domestic disability sports continue to expand across Vietnam. A regional sports exchange program scheduled for October 28 and 29 at the Sport Center II in Ninh Binh province brings together nearly 90 athletes from Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, Nghe An, Lang Son, and Thai Nguyen. The delegation from Ninh Binh accounts for nearly 40 participants.
The two-day domestic gathering features adapted events tailored to specific athletic classifications. Competitions include badminton across standing low (SL), standing high (SU), and wheelchair categories in singles and doubles; table tennis in men’s singles and men’s doubles across standing low (SL), standing high (SU), and wheelchair categories; chess; mixed team tug-of-war; and track events spanning 100-meter sprints for men and women, wheelchair 100-meter races for men and women, and one-legged jumps.
Broader Objectives for Regional Sports Organizations
Organizers confirmed that award ceremonies will distribute first, second, and third-place prizes for each competition, certificates of achievement for individual and team competitions, and general classification trophies for standout units. The exchange aims to build communication skills, foster teamwork, and solidify ties among disability organizations across participating provinces and cities.
The Asian Para Games 2026 run from October 18 to 24, featuring a 21-member Vietnamese delegation competing across five sports: athletics, swimming, powerlifting, table tennis, and badminton.
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