Vietnam earns first gold medal at Special Olympics World Games

Vietnam on June 21 had its first gold medal at the Special Olympic World Games, which is taking place in Berlin, Germany, from June 17-25, after athlete Nguyen Chau Hoang Phuc triumphed in bocce, a ball sport closely related to British bowls and French pétanque.
Nguyen Chau Hoang Phuc (sixth from the right) grabs a gold medal for Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)
Nguyen Chau Hoang Phuc (sixth from the right) grabs a gold medal for Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)

He successfully beat Molefe Katso of Botswana in the final to earn the medal.

The Vietnamese sports delegation to the tournament comprises six athletes, competing in athletics, swimming, and boccia.

Head of the delegation Doan Thi Hai Anh appreciated Germany's organisation work and the enthusiastic support of volunteers for not only the Vietnamese but all the delegations participating in the tournament.

Through competing and interacting with friends from all over the world, athletes will become more confident and more integrated into society, she added.

The Special Olympics World Games is the world's largest sporting event for athletes with intellectual disabilities, autism and cerebral palsy.

About 7,000 athletes and unified partners from approximately 190 countries and territories are competing in 26 sports this year. The competitors are supported by more than 3,000 coaches and 20,000 volunteers.

VNA