Vietnamese kickboxers Tuấn, Huy win in quarter-finals

SEA Games defending champion Huỳnh Văn Tuấn (right) aims a high-kick at Khamsathone Khamphouvanh of Laos in the quarter-finals of men’s 51kg full contact event on Monday. VNA/- VnExpress News Photo Vũ Sinh

Thanh Nga

BẮC NINH — Two Vietnamese kickboxers are through to the men’s semi-finals of the SEA Games 31 after getting their hands raised in Bắc Ninh Gymnasium on May 9 evening.

SEA Games defending champion Huỳnh Văn Tuấn made fans jump for joy in the 51kg full contact category as he controlled his opponent Khamsathone Khamphouvanh of Laos from the opening bell, winning his bout 3-0.

The fighter out of HCM City is a prominent name in the national kickboxing community, having been crowned 51kg champion eight times in a row.

Tuấn started training in traditional martial arts in 2014 before moving on to kickboxing where he found domestic and international success.

In 2018, Tuấn surprised many when he participated in the first professional boxing event in Việt Nam, the HBF 01–Pro Boxing Tournament, winning his bout inside four rounds. 

Recently, he has been focusing more on his kickboxing career and reduced his forays into other disciplines. The Kiên Giang native took the title at the National Kickboxing Club Cup in Đắk Nông.

Nguyễn Quang Huy, another exciting prospect representing Việt Nam, put on a masterclass in the quarter-final of men’s 60kg low kick, crushing Vannthong Chhut of Cambodia 3-0.

These victories came after a further three Vietnamese fighters, Nguyễn Thị Hằng Nga, Bùi Hải Linh and Nguyễn Thế Hưởng, beat their respective quarter-finals opponents.  

In the other quarter-final matches on Monday evening, Khlaneang Kham of Cambodia lost to Mohammad Rifdean Masdor of Malaysia 0-3 in the men’s 51kg full contact, while Salmri Stendra Pattisamallo of Indonesia defeated Daryl Chulipas Fegcan of the Philippines 3-0.

Cambodian fans cheer on their kickboxers. VNA/- VnExpress News Photo Hoàng Hiếu

In the women’s 56kg full contact, Chanvotey Touch of Cambodia was defeated by Surachada Namrak of Thailand 0-3.

In the men’s 71kg low kick category, Honorio Banario Antonio of the Philippines beat Yermias Yohanes Tanoi of Indonesia 3-0. Chhoeung Lvay of Cambodia bettered Singaporean Muhammad Nazri Bin Sutari 2-1.

Antonio Honorio Banario of the Philippines (left) has his hand raised after beating Tanoi Yermias Yohanes of Indonesia 3-0 in the quarter-finals of the men’s 71kg low kick category on Monday. VNA/- VnExpress News Photo Thanh Thương

In an interesting match-up between Damxoumphone Khieosavath of Laos and Thongchai Thapphli of Thailand, the Thai kickboxer won 3-0.

The penultimate match of the day’s kickboxing saw Ain Kamarrudin of Malaysia lose to Emmanuel Cantores Dailay of the Philippines 0-3, in the men’s 60kg low kick.

The quarter-finals will continue on Tuesday in both the full contact and low kick categories.

Kickboxing has attracted the participation of nearly 90 boxers from eight countries; Việt Nam, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia and Singapore. Athletes compete in a knockout format to decide the winners.

At SEA Games 30 in 2019, the Vietnamese team won four gold medals, surpassing the host Philippines to lead the team rankings.

It is the second consecutive Games that kickboxing has been included in the competition programme.

The kickboxing event will finish on May 13. – VnExpress News