VN dominate pencak silat with 5 golds

Trần ĐÌnh Nam of Việt Nam (above) wins men’s U75kg title in pencak silat event which closes on May 16. VNA/VNS Photo Quang Quyết

Thanh Hà

Việt Nam’s pencak silat team swept up the golds on the final day in the martial art on May 16.

There were 10 tanding (combat) categories held at the North Từ Liêm District Gymnasium. Vietnamese athletes secured five golds in six finals that they had representatives in.

Quàng Thị Thu Nghĩa cried when she was announced champion in the pencak silat in Hà Nội in the morning.

Nghĩa defeated Malaysian Siti Rahmah Binti Mohamed Nasir to win the women’s U75kg category for her first time at the Games, although she has been practising the martial art for 10 years.

Nghĩa, 23, has championed all competition levels, but this is the first time she has topped a regional biennial meet.

With her rapid attacking style and careful defence, Nghĩa quickly went ahead to lead the points in all three rounds.

It was Việt Nam’s first gold in the combat discipline at the Games.

“I am happy and proud. I have worked hard to overcome all the challenges to have today’s success,” said Nghĩa, who is Thái-ethnic-minority.

“It is my first SEA Games, so I was a little shaking and nervous because my rival has tasted this environment many times. She is more experienced than me and created many difficulties for me throughout the match.

“My coaches helped me a lot. They are good trainers showing me the best tactics and encouraging me all the time. 

“This medal is for me, my family, friends, and coaches. Thanks to everyone.” 

The second gold went to Asian Games champion Trần Đình Nam who beat Abdul Razaq bin Abdul Rashid of Singapore in the men’s U75kg final.

“I have never been so happy like this before because I have come second in all previous finals before,” said Nam.

“I lost to host athletes in those matches. But in this final I won. It will be a remarkable gold as this is my last international competition. I have made my target. The SEA Games gold is the only one missing in my collection. Now, I have it.

“A big thank you to my supporters who played a key role in lifting my spirits up and making it my day.”

Later on, world champion Nguyễn Duy Tuyến defeated Ronaldo Neno of Indonesia in the men’s U85kg.

Lê Văn Toàn won in the men’s U110kg against Anak Nakang of Malaysia.

His teammate Nguyễn Tấn Sang did not spend any sweat to take the men’s U80kg title as Singaporean Bin Sheik Alau’ddin withdrew due to injury.

Nguyễn Trung Phương Nam lost to Adilan Chemaeng of Thailand in the men’s U65kg final. After the match ended in and referees decided to give the Thai athlete the title.

Singapore also had a successful day when they bagged three golds in the men’s U60kg by Mohamad Yusli, men’s U95kg by Sheik Farhan Bin Sheik Alau’ddin of Singapore and women’s U70kg by Nurul Suhaila.

The last title went to Muhamad Khairi Adib Bin Azhar from Malaysia in the men’s U55kg.

Việt Nam successfully topped the medal table in the martial art with six golds, including one in the seni (performance) event last week.