Tung managed the best overall time of 3:00.02, breaking the record of the 2010 Asian Para Games at 3:00.05 in Guangzhou, China.
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Handicapped swimmer Vo Thanh Tung breaks the record of the 2010 Asian Para Games in Guangzhou, China, after he triumphed in the men's 200m freestyle S5 on October 10 |
Coach Nguyen Dang Vien could not hide his joy at the victory, saying this type of event is not Tung’s strong suit but he tried his best and he deserved it.
He had a good start and left his runners-up from Malaysia far behind when finishing his final round.
After three days of the regional para games, the Vietnamese swimming star brought home three golds and one silver, breaking the records of himself, Asia and Asian Para Games.
Earlier, he won two gold medals in the men’s 50m backstroke S5 and the men’s 100m freestyle S5, while his silver was bagged in the men’s 50m butterfly stroke.
Tung is among the golden hopes of Vietnam at the continental sporting event for athletes with disabilities. At the previous Games, he earned five out of the total nine gold medals for the Vietnamese team.
The Asian Para Games, which follows the Asian Games (ASIAD) every four years, attracts athletes from 45 countries and territories in Asia this year.
The Vietnamese team comprises 75 members, including 52 athletes who will compete in seven out of 18 sports, namely swimming, track and field, weightlifting, chess, badminton, table tennis and judo.
As of 20:30 of October 10, Vietnam had earned six gold, four silver and 13 bronze medals. At the previous Asian Para Games in 2014, the country bagged nine gold, seven silver, and 13 bronze medals, finishing 10th in the overall medal tally.
Source: VNA