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2022 VBA introduces new talents

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The 2022 VBA, the seventh season of the top-tier professional basketball in Vietnam, was the ‘launch pad’ promoting many rookies in the sport.

Le Khac Dang Khoa

Before the 2022 VBA, Le Khac Dang Khoa made his mark in the 5×5 category at the 2022 National U23 Basketball Championship, where he won the gold medal with the Ho Chi Minh City U23 team.

Khoa Le left a strong impression on fans at the 2022 VBA as the main scorer of the Cantho Catfish.

Notably, in Game 11, the 20-year-old scored 21 points, the second highest earned in a game after DeAngelo Hamilton during the entire tourney.

After that impressive performance, Khoa was rewarded more time on the court.

At the end of the group stage, he averaged 7.5 points and 3.8 catches per game — an achievement that surpassed those of all domestic seniors of the Catfish and was only behind their main scoring trio’s.

Khoa won the ‘Rookie of the Year’ title as well.

After the successfull debut at the 2022 VBA, he is expected to add more feathers in his cap in the next seasons.

Nguyen Duong Quang Anh used to play for the Vietnamese U20 basketball team at the Cambodia Friendship Games 2018. Photo: VBA

Nguyen Duong Quang Anh used to play for the Vietnamese U20 basketball team at the 2018 Cambodia Friendship Games. Photo: VBA

Nguyen Duong Quang Anh

In Game 30 at the 2022 VBA, the Hanoi Buffaloes faced tough challenges from the Danang Dragons, who was in form.

Had it not been for Nguyen Duong Quang Anh’s 17 points after 21 minutes into the game, the Buffaloes could not have ended the Dragons’ winning streak.

Anh scored just less than the MVP of the game, Jeffery Stubbs, and has since been more frequently selected for the Buffaloes’ starting line-up.

At the end of the group stage, Anh averaged 3.8 points and 1.2 catches per game — the best performance among his team’s domestic rookies. 

The 2022 VBA was also the first time the 24-year-old player participated in the finals with the Buffaloes.

Dominique Tham tries to break through two opponents at the 2022 VBA. Photo: VBA

Dominique Tham tries to break through two opponents at the 2022 VBA. Photo: VBA

Dominique Tham

It would be no exaggeration to say that Dominique Tham is the biggest discovery of the 2022 VBA.

The 1.95m-tall Vietnamese player averaged 17.5 points and 16.5 catches per game.

At the end of the season, Dominique Tham received the award for ‘Favorite Player of the Year’ and a double nomination for the titles of ‘Best Vietnamese-born Player of the Year’ and ‘Best Defender of the Year.’

Dominique Tham’s feats soon attracted the attention of Kevin Yurkus, head coach of the Vietnamese men’s basketball team. 

“Everybody was impressed with Dominique Tham’s performance,” Yurkus said. 

“He’s big, full of strength and technique.

“What impressed me most was Dominique Tham’s ball handling ability. 

“He judges situations well and is not afraid of physical competition. 

“Of course, we always want such a factor in the Vietnamese team.”

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Source: https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/sports/20221030/2022-vba-introduces-new-talents/69798.html

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In Ho Chi Minh City, more and more young people fond of billiards despite prejudice

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Numerous billiards clubs are now emerging across Ho Chi Minh City, with the majority of customers being young people, despite stereotypes.

On weekend evenings, billiards clubs are often crowded and lack available tables.

Based on Google Maps data, there are currently around 410 billiard centers in Ho Chi Minh City, most of which are located in populous areas including District 1, District 8, District 10, Binh Thanh District, Tan Phu District, Tan Binh District, Phu Nhuan District, and Go Vap District.

In the affordable segment, pool table rental prices vary from VND30,000 (US$1.24) to VND100,000 ($4.12) per hour, while modern-equipped places charge between VND120,000 ($4.94) and VND300,000 ($12.36) an hour.

Pool cue rental is not included in the mentioned fees, and it costs at least VND50,000 ($2.06) per person.

Besides that, many online groups on Facebook for billiards enthusiasts whose members range from thousands to hundreds of thousands have started to bloom such as ‘Cong Dong Bida – Chia Se Dam Me’ (Billiard Community – Sharing Passion), ‘Dam Me Bida’ (Passionate about Billiards), and ‘Cong Dong Bida Sai Gon’ (Ho Chi Minh City Billiards Community).

These pages aim to connect players for friendly matches, share skills, and promote this sport in Vietnam.

According to Van Anh, the manager of a newly opened billiards club on Au Co Street in Tan Phu District, customers of different age groups, mostly between 18 and 30, have been enjoying the facility.

She said that the busiest time is from 7:00 or 8:00 pm onward, particularly on weekends when tables are usually in full use.

Sense of community

Billiards seems to be a game suitable for gathering.

This sport arouses curiosity amid young people, tempting them to try it, even though it is often associated with both bad and good stories, Anh said.

Many entertainment channels that influence young people, including Schannel, share information about famous billiards players, which inspires more youth to learn about this sport, she added.

Tran Duc Anh, 22, a Tan Binh District resident, said he and his friends often go to billiards centers three to four times a week, and it has been three years since he first tried playing it.

“I find billiards trendy and recreational, especially when playing it with a group of friends,” Duc Anh said.

“Before entering the game, we often make mutual consent that the loser will pay for the group’s billiard fee. This small competition excites our moods and generates more fun.”

As for Thanh Chi, 18, billiards is beyond just a game.

“This sport is enticing in that participants must have a certain calculation of hand strength and ball direction to be able to win the match. In addition, billiards provides a great opportunity for friends or colleagues to gather around,” said Chi.

Normally, Chi and a group of four to six co-workers meet at a billiards club once or twice a week.

Stereotypes 

There used to be a perception amid the public that billiards is an unhealthy game due to its frequent association with alcohol, gambling, and prostitution, leading to many people believing that this sport should not be encouraged.

Nowadays, billiards is becoming more and more openly accepted since it is not only an entertaining sport but also a strategic game, requiring careful calculation and high skills to win.

Moreover, billiards is included in a variety of domestic and international sports tournaments.

Le Diem Hanh, 21, a senior from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Ho Chi Minh City, disagreed with the said prejudice even though she is not a fan of billiards, saying that billiards is a healthy game as there are many widely-broadcasted billiards competitions within and outside Vietnam.

Hanh emphasized that human beings themselves are the ones who assign negative connotations to billiards.

She also mentioned that billiards is a socially recognized profession.

Tran Mai Chi, 26, a District 8 dweller, saw eye to eye with Hanh.

“It depends on each person’s purpose when playing billiards. If it’s just for stress relief with friends or colleagues, there’s nothing bad about it,” Chi said.

Interaction and learning

As the mass sports training movement has spread in both breadth and depth, billiards has attracted a large number of amateur players because of its unique appeal. 

Thinh Kent (holding a pool cue), a renowned Vietnamese billiards player, has a positive vision of this sport in Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Thinh Kent

Thinh Kent (holding a pool cue), a renowned Vietnamese billiards player, has a positive vision of this sport in Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Thinh Kent

“Billiards is gaining the position it deserves in the heart of the public today,” affirmed Huynh Truong Thinh, also known as Thinh Kent, a renowned Vietnamese professional billiards player and the director of the billiards center Thinh Kent Carom Academy.

Frequent and large-scale tournaments are organized, with the primary focus being on interaction and learning rather than winning or losing.

The players who participate in these tournaments share a common passion and come together to motivate each other toward leading a more positive life, said Thinh Kent.

Billiards is expected to thrive and lure a large number of participants, making fitness, sports, and local entertainment activities more diverse and exciting.

Additionally, many talented billiards players have been discovered, contributing to Vietnam’s sports and promoting the country’s billiards strength in the international arena, he said.

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Source: https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/sports/20231129/in-ho-chi-minh-city-more-and-more-young-people-fond-of-billiards-despite-prejudice/76982.html

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European athletes bag two gold medals at Vovinam world championship in Vietnam

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Italy and Germany secured first place twice in the performance category on Monday, increasing Europe’s gold medal count at the seventh WVVF World Vovinam Championships 2023, taking place in Ho Chi Minh City, to four.

Short for ‘Vo Viet Nam,’ literally ‘Vietnamese Martial Arts,’ vovinam is Vietnam’s acrobatic martial art, which achieved a significant milestone in 2008 with the establishment of the World Vovinam Federation (WVVF).

Previously, Russia and Belarus had won two gold medals in combat events on Friday, the first day of the competition, which is being held by the WVVF from November 22 to 30 at Phu Tho Indoor Sports Hall in the city’s District 11, attracting more than 650 athletes from 35 countries and territories.

The two victories on Monday added great pride, marking European athletes’ first gold medals in performance events.

In the female ying-yang sword form team category, Italy’s Mazza Francesca, Di Nardi Iris Ida Carolina, Minniti Chiara, and Ibba Francesca came in first with 270 points, highlighting a grand achievement, considering they beat host Vietnam – the homeland of vovinam – by three points.

The four Italian athletes celebrated their victory by proudly singing their national anthem on the podium during the awards ceremony.

France’s Nguyen Viet Trang performs in the female duel knife form category during the seventh WVVF World Vovinam Championships 2023 at Phu Tho Indoor Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, November 27, 2023. Photo: N.K. / Tuoi Tre

Germany’s Nguyen Viet Trang performs in the female duel knife form category during the seventh WVVF World Vovinam Championships 2023 at Phu Tho Indoor Sports Hall in Ho Chi Minh City, November 27, 2023. Photo: N.K. / Tuoi Tre

In the female duel knife form category, Nguyen Viet Trang, a German athlete of Vietnamese origin, secured first place with 262 points, narrowly surpassing Cisse Zeynab Findonan from Ivory Coast by just one point.

In the same category, another athlete of Vietnamese descent representing France, Truong Thuy Tien, came in third place with 256 points.

Before Monday, a total of 11 gold medals for performance events had been awarded, five of which went to Vietnam, three to Algeria, two to Cambodia, and one to Thailand.

Vietnam wrapped up the third day of competition by winning four gold medals.

In the male category of the ten-technique eight-principle form, Vuong Minh Khang of Vietnam claimed first place, surpassing Robin Sudorruslan of France by three points.

Vietnam’s Huynh Khac Nguyen performs in the male category of the sun-moon broadsword form during the seventh WVVF World Vovinam Championships 2023 at Phu Tho Indoor Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, November 27, 2023. Photo: N.K. / Tuoi Tre

Vietnam’s Huynh Khac Nguyen performs in the male category of the sun-moon broadsword form during the seventh WVVF World Vovinam Championships 2023 at Phu Tho Indoor Sports Hall in Ho Chi Minh City, November 27, 2023. Photo: N.K. / Tuoi Tre

In the male category of the sun-moon broadsword form, Huynh Khac Nguyen secured a commanding first place with 275 points, maintaining a substantial ten-point lead over runner-up Maxime Chung, representing France.

Medallo Jovan from the Philippines and Tran Dinh Du from Germany tied in the same category with 262 points. 

In the rematch, Jovan earned 265 points and secured victory over Du by two points.

In the combat events, Le Ngoc Vinh Truong of Vietnam emerged victorious in the male 60kg category by a knock-out against Cantores Emmanuel of the Philippines, while Bui Xuan Nhat secured victory against Kao Vichetrach of Cambodia in the male 68kg final.

Competitions on Tuesday consisted of five performance and four combat events.

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Source: https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/sports/20231128/european-athletes-bag-two-gold-medals-at-vovinam-world-championship-in-vietnam/76981.html

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AFC levies heavy fine on Chinese midfielder for kneeing Vietnamese opponent

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Chinese left-winger Wei Shihao has been given a heavy fine by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for kneeing Vietnamese defensive midfielder Pham Xuan Manh in the face during the fourth match of the AFC Champions League (ACL) group stage earlier this month.

Wei committed the unsportsmanlike act on Manh in Wuhan Three Towns FC’s 1-2 defeat against Hanoi FC on November 8, resulting in an immediate red card in the 75th minute.

Following this incident, AFC announced a three-match suspension and a fine of US$1,000 for Wei.

This penalty renders the Chinese midfielder ineligible for the remaining two matches of Wuhan Three Towns in Group J against Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds and South Korea’s Pohang Steelers.

Should Wuhan Three Towns advance to the next stage, Wei’s suspension will carry over to the subsequent match. 

If not, the penalty will be reserved for application in the next ACL participation.

Additionally, AFC issued a warning to Wei, indicating that the fine may escalate if similar violations persist in the future.

In the aftermath of his misconduct against Manh, the Chinese midfielder also faced strong criticism from Chinese football fans and the press. 

Chinese-language Sohu newspaper commented that the unacceptable behavior leading to Wei’s red card has drawn widespread condemnation.

This is not the first time Wei has met with severe penalties as he received a six-match suspension in the top-tier Chinese Super League (CSL) for insulting a referee last year.

The 2023-24 ACL is the 42nd edition of Asia’s premier club football tournament, featuring 40 football clubs from 20 associations.

The 40 teams were drawn into ten groups of four.

The tournament winner will qualify for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

Hanoi FC stand as the sole representative from Vietnam participating in this year’s ACL.

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Source: https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/sports/20231128/afc-levies-heavy-fine-on-chinese-midfielder-for-kneeing-vietnamese-opponent/76983.html

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