The first World Vovinam Championships concluded here on the night of July 29, rounding off a 40-event spectacle dominated by the hosts who collected 22 of the 40 gold medals awarded.

The hosts also won four silver, and two bronze medals to top the medal tally in the two-day tournament.

Second place in the competition featuring the Vietnamese martial art went to France with 10 golds, 10 silvers and three bronze medals, while Italy finished third with one gold, six silver, and nine bronze medals.

The event took place in Ho Chi Minh City ’s Military Zone 7 Gymnasium. It featured 115 athletes from 14 countries and territories.

The athletes competed for 40 sets of medals in two categories: performance and duels.

Foreign martial artists, especially those from Russia , Iran and Italy put on a good showing at the inaugural tournament.

On the first day of the championship, Vietnamese martial artists won nine gold medals, four of them in the duels category and five in performing techniques.

The pre-Asian Indoor Games Vovinam competition will be held on July 30 between five Asian countries in order to prepare for the third Asian Indoor Games that Vietnam will host this November./.