Hosts top Asian junior contest

Hosts Vietnam gained a surprise victory at the Asian junior contest, held in Bien Hoa town, Dong Nai province, topping the contest medal tally, reported Thanh Nien newspaper.

The newspaper reported Vietnamese bodybuilders won five gold, three silver and one bronze medal.

Thailand followed with three golds and three bronzse, and Singapore was third with two gold, four silver, and two bronze medals.

Nguyen Minh Phuong in men’s 55 kilograms, Dang Thanh Tung in men’s under 60 kilograms, and Nguyen Thu Nguyen in 65 kilograms won the heart of the jury to clinch three gold medals in junior events for Vietnam.

Two other gold medals went to Nguyen Thi My Linh, who retained her championship in 52 kilograms, and Trinh Phi Hung in 45 kilograms of the men’s master event.

Thanh Nien newspaper quoted deputy coach Duong Van Kien of the Vietnamese team as saying: "Excellent form of Vietnamese youngsters had surprised opponents in the region. Thanh Tung, Minh Phong and Thu Nguyen are good bodybuilders and are the future of Vietnamese bodybuilding.”

Ninety five bodybuilders from 15 countries participated in the tournament held in Bien Hoa town, 30km from Ho Chi Minh City.

They competed in 18 categories in five events – junior men’s bodybuilding, master men’s bodybuilding, women’s bodybuilding, miss fitness, and miss body fitness.