Vietnam bag first gold medal at SEA Games 32

By VNA May 2, 2023 | 06:11 pm PT

Ton Nu Hong An (L) and Pham Thanh Phuong Thao after winning Vietnam's first gold medal at SEA Games 32 in Cambodia, in ouk chaktrang or Cambodian chess, May 2, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Lam Thoa

Chess players Pham Thanh Phuong Thao and Ton Nu Hong An won the first gold medal for Vietnam at the SEA Games 32 after topping the Ouk Chaktrang women's doubles event on Tuesday.

Ouk chaktrang, or Cambodian chess, is the first sports that opens for competition at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, hosted by Cambodia. The competitions are taking place from April 29 to May 9 with seven events.

The Vietnamese ouk chaktrang team comprises 11 players.

SEA Games 32 is scheduled to take place in Phnom Penh and four other localities of Siem Reap, Preah Sihanouk, Kampot and Kep from May 5-17. It is expected to welcome over 12,400 athletes, coaches and staff from regional sports delegations.

This year, Vietnam will compete in 30 out of total 36 sports at the games, aiming for 90-120 gold medals to enter the top three on the medal tally.

As host of SEA Games 31 in 2021, Vietnam topped the medal table with 205 golds. Thailand came second with 92 and Indonesia third with 69.