SEA Games 31: Felisberto De Deus makes history for Timor Leste athletics

Felisberto De Deus of Timor Leste at SEA Games 31. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Felisberto De Deus has claimedtwo silvers in the men’s 5,000m and 10,000m events at SEA Games 31, endingTimor Leste’s long wait for a SEA Games medal in athletics.

The 23-year-old athlete, with a Vietnamese flag inhis hand, waved at the fans cheering on his second silver medal at this year’sGames.

De Deus expressed his happiness at the cheers from Vietnamese fans, as well as good wishes from local residents during his stay in Vietnam.

He said the cheers and the fair-minded spirit of theVietnamese supporters pushed him in the men’s 10,000 event.

The athlete hopes that sport, particularlyathletics, will help to promote the country and people of Timor Leste.

Meanwhile, Vietnam’s Nguyen Van Lai was the focus ofattention on the third day of athletic competition at SEA Games 31 after winning the men's10,000m - his second gold medal at this Games.

Lai andteammate Le Van Thao supported each other effectively to overcome fiercecompetition from De Deus and Arthit Soda of Thailand.

With Lai’striumph, the Vietnamese athletics team have won 16 golds medals at SEAGames 31, almost reaching their target of 17 gold medals set before theGames./.

VNA