Thao wins gold at Asian athletics competition

Vietnamese athlete Bui Thi Thao has won a gold medal in the women’s long jump event at the ongoing 2017 Asian Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, India.

Bui Thi Thu Thao has won gold for Vietnam after her impressive performance.

M. Londa of Indonesia, who is highly renowned in the long jump event, did not attend the championships, therefore, Thao was considered No. 1 among 13 athletes competing.

Right from her first jump, Thao achieved an impressive distance of 6.54m and took top position, but was unable to improve her performance due to violations in her next four jumps. In her last attempt, Thao only reached 6.44m.

Competition was close after Neeva of India pulled of a jump of 6.54m in her fourth attempt. However, Neeva’s efforts were in vain as she was unable to improve on that. According to the IAAF Athletics Law, Thao was presented with the gold medal as she beat Neeva on the minor index. The bronze medal went to Indian athlete J. Nayana with a jump of 6.42m.

This is Thao's third gold medal at regional competitions so far this year. In May, she won two gold medals at the 2017 Asian Grand Prix championships in China with 6.41m and 6.58m, respectively. Her best jump of 6.54m at this competition is not her best but still acceptable, showing her consistency.

However, Thao needs to improve on this for the chance to win gold at the 29th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Malaysia next month. At the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore, Thao won silver with a jump of 6.65m, while strong rival Londa won gold with 6.70m.

Yesterday afternoon, Quach Thi Lan won a silver in the women's 400 metres, clocking 52.78.

The 2017 Asian Athletics Championships runs from July 6-9 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. The Vietnamese team sent in seven athletes to compete in the event. The tournament is the last major international event of Vietnamese athletics before attending the 29th SEA Games in Malaysia.

(Source: NDO)