MPS athlete and teammates win Viet Nam’s first gold medal at ASIAD 20

At the final, the Vietnamese trio of Nguyen Ngoc Tram (from the People’s Public Security Sports Training and Competition Center), Bui Ngoc Nhi, and Hoang Thi Thu Uyen, faced Iranian martial artists, namely Sadeghi Dastak Fatemeh, Hosseini Zeynabalsadat and Amini Soumeh Kabodin Depideh. Iran presented a formidable challenge, having maintained consistent form since the beginning of the tournament.

The Vietnamese female athletes executed powerful, decisive movements while maintaining fluidity and precise synchronization. Their bunkai performance, demonstrating practical application of kata techniques in combat scenarios, was particularly dynamic, drawing continuous applause from the spectators in the stands.

Their compelling routine earned high scores from the five judges: 8.8, 8.2, 8.8, 8.3, and 8.6, respectively. Securing a decisive 5–0 victory over Iran, Nguyen Ngoc Tram, Bui Ngoc Nhi and Hoang Thị Thu Uyen stood atop the podium.

In the semifinals against Chinese Taipei, Nguyen Ngoc Tram and her teammates performed the Tomari Bassai kata with impressive form, earning judges' scores of 8.0, 8.1, 8.1, 8.5, and 8.5. The unanimous 5–0 victory propelled Viet Nam into the final against Iran.

Three years ago at ASIAD 19 in Hangzhou, China, Nguyen Ngoc Tram, alongside Nguyen Thi Phuong and Luu Thi Thu Uyen, won the Gold Medal in this same event. At ASIAD 20, Ngoc Tram anchored the new lineup alongside teammates Bui Ngoc Nhi and Hoang Thi Thu Uyen.

This edition of the Games proved particularly memorable for Bui Ngoc Nhi, who had previously won a bronze medal in the women’s individual kata event on September 20. Crucially, the karate trio's victory secured the first Gold Medal for the Viet Nam Sports Delegation at ASIAD 20, providing a significant morale boost for Vietnamese athletes in the upcoming days of competition as they strive toward their target of 4 or more Gold Medals at the Games.

Immediately following the victory, the Viet Nam Sports Delegation presented on-the-spot bonus rewards to the three athletes. Deputy Director of the Political Affairs Department under the Ministry of Public Security and Vice President of the People’s Public Security Sports Association Senior Colonel Nguyen Thi Thuy Thanh presented a VND 50 million reward on behalf of the Association. Additionally, T&T Group awarded VND 100 million to athlete Nguyen Ngoc Tram.