Vietnam earned their third gold medal at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China on Friday after outplaying Malaysia in the women’s team kata.

Vietnamese martial artists Nguyen Thi Phuong, Luu Thi Thu Uyen, and Nguyen Ngoc Tram put on a remarkable performance, achieving a total score of 42.70 points, while their Malaysian counterparts could only manage 39 points. 

This victory marked Vietnam’s third gold medal at this year’s Asian Games, in addition to the ones they had previously won in shooting and sepak takraw events.

This is the first time that kata has been featured at the Asian Games, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Vietnamese martial artists compete in the women’s team kata at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, October 6, 2023. Photo: Huy Dang / Tuoi Tre

On the same day, Vietnam also secured a bronze medal in the men’s triple sepak takraw category after defeating Thailand in a closely-contested semifinal match.

As of 11:30 am on Saturday, Vietnamese athletes have won three gold medals, five silvers, and 17 bronzes, putting them in 20th place in the overall standings at this year’s Asian Games.

Vietnamese martial artists compete in the women’s team kata at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, October 6, 2023. Photo: Huy Dang / Tuoi Tre

The country sent a 504-member delegation, including 320 athletes, to the 19th Asian Games, which features 481 events in 40 sports.

Their target was to bring home at least two gold medals.

Host China is leading the medal table with a dominant count of 188 gold medals, 106 silvers, and 64 bronzes, followed by South Korea with 47 gold medals, 57 silvers, and 65 bronzes, and Japan with 37 gold medals, 51 silvers, and 87 bronzes.

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