Hoang Ngan – defending SEA Games Kata champion – had been expected to bring home the second gold medal for Vietnam as the country’s former Asiad champions, Vu Thi Nguyet Anh (2006) and Le Bich Phuong (2010) were both absent from 17th Asiad due to injuries.
Ngan impressively overcame Taalaibek Kyzy Vanessa of Kyrgyzstan in the round of 16, Kang Jiui from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the quarterfinal and Bimala Tamang of Nepal in the semifinal, but pitifully lost the decisive match to stronger Kiyou.
Earlier on October 1, the Vietnam women’s football team missed out on the historic bronze medal after succumbing to a 0-3 loss against to the Republic of Korea in the third-place playoff match.
As of 11.15am today, Vietnam won a total of 33 medals, including one gold, 10 silver and 22 bronze.
