Hanoi (VNA) – Athletics brought further joy for Vietnam on December 16 as Bui Thi Kim Anh claimed the gold medal in the women’s high jump at the 33rd SEA Games.
In the final, Anh showed an impressive performance and remarkable composure. After clearing the 1.83m bar, she was widely considered to have secured the top spot. However, rather than opting for a safe approach, the young athlete boldly chose to attempt 1.86m – a height demanding great confidence and determination.
She cleared 1.86m, and in doing so, became the highlight of the competition. Not only did she lock in the gold medal, but she also set a new personal best, revealing her rapid progress and growing maturity on the regional stage.
In the same event, Duong Thi Thao also delivered a commendable performance, clearing 1.75m to take a bronze medal and add to Vietnam’s medal tally.
The final standings saw Anh finish ahead of Abuan Mariel of the Philippines, who cleared 1.80m for silver, while the two bronze medals went to Duong Thi Thao of Vietnam and Kamaruddin Norliyana of Malaysia.
Notably, both Anh and Thao are only 19 years old, highlighting a strong pipeline of talent in Vietnamese women’s high jump and raising hopes for future SEA Games and continental competitions.
Meanwhile, the kickboxing team continued its winning ways. In the men’s 57kg full-contact final, Nguyen Quang Huy kicked his way to a dominant performance, launching sustained attacks to overpower Thailand’s Yawanophat Chainarong and secure the gold medal.
This victory helped Vietnam’s kickboxing team conclude the 33rd SEA Games with an impressive haul of two golds, one silver, and three bronzes, ranking second overall in the discipline behind host Thailand./.
