Hoang Nguyen Thanh wins the first ever gold medal in the men's marathon at SEA Games for Vietnam. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Hoang Nguyen Thanh has gone down intohistory as the first ever gold medallist of Vietnam in the men’s marathon at SEAGames.
During the event began in early May 19 morning near Hanoi-based MyDinh National Stadium, Thanh faced fierce competition from defending champion AgusPrayogo of Indonesia and Tony Ah-Thit Payne of Thailand.
He reached the finish line first after 2:25:08, faster thanthe second-placed Prayogo by 30 seconds.
In addition, he set a new personal record as his previousone was 2:26:56.
The 27-year-old runner from the southern province of BinhPhuoc quenched Vietnam’s thirst for medals in the men’s marathon for more than sixdecades.
Previously, Pham Thi Binh clinched a gold medal in the women’s marathon forVietnam at SEA Games 28 in 2013.
Speaking to reporters after the competition, Thanh said he was proud but hardly believed that he could win. In the last kilometres, he toldhimself to do his utmost until the end with cheering from local supporters.
Also on May 19 morning, Vietnam bagged two more golds in themen’s and women’s 20km walk by Vo Xuan Vinh and Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuc,respectively.
Nguyen Thanh Ngung clinched a bronze in the men’s 20km walk.
With three golds and one bronze on the last competition dayof athletics, the Vietnamese delegation packed a total of 22 gold, 14 silverand seven bronze medals in the sport, surpassing its set target of 15-17 golds at SEAGames 31.
SEA Games 31, themed “For a Stronger South East Asia”, isbeing held in Hanoi and 11 neighbouring provinces and cities until May 23.
It features 40 sports with 523 events, attracting around10,000 participants. The biennial event was initially slated for late 2021 butdelayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic./.
