Thảo jabs way to 1st boxing win for hosts

Trần Văn Thảo beat highly rated Indonesian Kornelis Kwangu Langu in the first match of the men’s 52kg boxing event. VNA/VNS Photo

BẮC NINH — Trần Văn Thảo beat highly rated Indonesian Kornelis Kwangu Langu in the first match of the men’s 52kg boxing event.

The only Vietnamese competing in the preliminary round on May 17, Thảo faced multiple challenges as Kornelis was more confident, faster and stronger in the first round.

Thảo soon found a way to counter the Indonesian, and with the home crowd in Bắc Ninh sports complex cheering him on, Thảo fought back with confidence in the other rounds and convincingly won the match with a 5-0 score.

“Kornelis is a very strong opponent, he has won multiple championships, and it was not easy for me,” said Thảo.

Vũ Đức Thịnh, head of Vietnamese Boxing & Kickboxing, said: “Thảo could win the gold medal for Việt Nam this Games.”

“This win will boost the Việt Nam boxing team in the coming matches.”

In other matches at the 52kg men’s boxing event, Thailand’s Thanarat Saengphet beat Laos’ Yothin Sengmany 5-0; Rogen Ladon Siaga of the Philippines won 5-0 against Malaysia’s Muhammad Abdul Qalyum Bin Ariffin; and Myanmar’s Linn Htut Paing beat Cambodia’s Nov Sokty 5-0.

In the 63kg men’s boxing event, Mohamad Akram Bin Rasit from Malaysia beat Walter Sarnoi Oupathana from Laos 5-0; Farrand Papendang of Indonesia beat Ye Naing of Myanmar 5-0.

Cambodian Touch Davit was knocked out by James Palicte Melos from the Philippines.

Maikhel Roberrd Muskita of Indonesia beat Aung Pyae Phyo of Myanmar in the 81kg men’s boxing event.