In the men’s 54kg para power-lifting, An successfully lifted 178kg, surpassing seven rivals to secure the title.
    |
 |
|
Weightlifter Nguyen Binh An (C) receiving the gold medal of the men’s 54kg para power-lifting at the ongoing Asian Para Games 2018 in Indonesia |
The silver medal in the category came to David Degtyarev from Kazakhstan who lifted 157kg, while Ali Al-Darraji from Iraq bagged the bronze medal with a lift of 143kg.
Earlier, Vietnam’s first gold medal at the Asian Para Games was pocketed by swimmer Nguyen Thanh Trung after taking lead in the men’s 100m breaststroke event for athletes with disability category of SB4 on October 7.
Later the same day, Vi Thi Hang grabbed a bronze medal for the country, finishing third in the women’s 50m freestyle event for the S7 category.
Vu The Phiet, head of Vietnam’s INAPG 2018 team, said Trung’s success was expected by the team leaders as before this competition, his results were better than the world’s records and even those made by himself at the Asian Para Games 2014.
It is also very encouraging when young swimmer Hang, who takes part in the games for the first time, has achieved such a good result, he added.
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.
At the previous Asian Para Games in 2014, Vietnam won nine gold, seven silver, and 13 bronze medals, finishing 10th in the overall medal tally.
Source: VNA