SEA Games 33: Impressive performances by Huy Hoang and Nguyen Thi Ngoc

Although not a medal contest, the women's volleyball match reflected the relative strengths of the Vietnamese and Indonesian teams. Having defeated the Indonesian team twice in the SEA V.League earlier this year, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team demonstrated their superiority by winning 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-19) against Indonesia on the afternoon of December 12th.

Solo performance in the swimming lane

Winning their third group stage match, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team topped Group B, pushing Indonesia into a hopeless battle against Thailand in the second semi-final. This was entirely part of Vietnam's strategic plan on their journey towards the final against Thailand, and further, the championship race against the Thai team – a team that remains almost "invincible" in regional women's volleyball.

As expected, the explosive performances of the "Golden Star Warriors" on the track and field, as well as in the swimming pool, played a decisive role in securing second place in the overall medal standings for the past two days.

Ấn tượng Huy Hoàng, Nguyễn Thị Ngọc - Ảnh 1. — The victorious smile of women's 400m champion Nguyen Thi Ngoc. (Photo: NGOC LINH)

Of the 10 gold medals won on the third day of competition (December 12), perhaps the most impressive was Nguyen Huy Hoang's solo performance in the men's 1,500m freestyle. The dominance of the swimmer from Quang Binh in his specialty distance was extended, and even sent a positive signal with the appearance of "newcomer" Mai Tran Tuan Anh – who won the silver medal in this event with a time just 3 seconds faster than his senior.

Similarly, the exchange of places between Nguyen Quang Thuan and Tran Hung Nguyen in the men's 400m individual medley was noteworthy, even though their performance was rather unremarkable, as they were determined not to let the gold medal slip away. Young swimmer Quang Thuan seems to be gradually escaping the shadow of his renowned older sister, Nguyen Thi Anh Vien, and beginning to make a name for himself in regional competitions.

"Sharing the burden" from gymnastics

Nguyen Thi Ngoc's maturity over the years is also evident in her achievements in the women's 400m race. Having previously been a supporting runner in the Vietnamese 4x400m women's relay team that won gold medals at both the Southeast Asian and Asian championships, the girl from Ha Tinh province tried her hand at the 400m individual race for the first time and achieved unexpected success.

Despite the powerful stride of Thai naturalized star Onourah Josephine, Nguyen Thi Ngoc boldly accelerated, quickly overtaking her after just 100 meters. She continued to race towards the finish line, with the support of her teammate Hoang Minh Hanh distracting all her competitors.

It was a highly successful day of competition for Vietnamese sports, not only in athletics and swimming, but also with contributions from gymnastics with Dinh Phuong Thanh, shooting with Le Thi Mong Tuyen and Nguyen Tam Quang, taekwondo with ethnic minority fighter Bac Thi Khiem, petanque with 2 gold medals in men's and women's doubles, and karate with "hero" Khuat Hai Nam.

The 33rd SEA Games is entering a crucial stage of intense competition, with the "big four" of Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore vying for the top spot, alongside the rest of Southeast Asia.

The fourth day of competition (December 13th) promises to be even more exciting as the main stars of each team take to the field.

The presence of "track and field queen" Nguyen Thi Oanh in the women's 5,000m race will be a warning that the Vietnamese team wants to send to their competitors.