HANOI, 9 December 2003 — Vietnam continued its dream run at the 22nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) winning an extra 11 gold medals yesterday to remain well on top of the medal table.
Vietnam moved to 52 gold with an overall medal tally of 95, a long way ahead of next placed Thailand with 20 gold and 83 medals overall. Victory to Man Ba Xuan for Vietnam in Greco Roman wrestling, Nguyen Thi Tinh in the 400-meter race and Vo Manh Tuan in karate, as well as six gold medals in shooting events, helped Vietnam to extend its commanding lead.
Thailand continued its strong showing with early success in the track and field events. Trecia Roberts took gold in the 100 meters hurdles and Suphan Wongsriphuck was victorious in the same event over 110 meters.
In other track events Ni Putu Desy Margawati of Indonesia, took gold in the pole vault and Malaysia’s Loo Kun Zee won the high jump. The Indonesian and Malaysian teams are now neck and neck with 14 gold.
The Singapore women’s badminton team took their nation’s tally to 11 gold medals to be sixth overall on the medal table.
Candelario Ernie added to the Philippines tally with a win in the 4 00 400 meters, while Rene Herrera won the 3,000 meters steeplechase. The Philippines now have a total of 13 gold.
