SEA Games 31: Mai Phuong bags first medal for Vietnam

Ngo Mai Phuong, a diving athlete from Hanoi's sports team, won the bronze medal in the women's 1m springboard individual on the afternoon of May 8, marking the first success of the host country of the 31st SEA Games.

The SEA Games 31 diving contest began at the My Dinh Water Sports Stadium in Hanoi from May 8 to 11, featuring seven teams from Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

Ngo Phuong Mai wins the bronze medal for women's 1m springboard individual in the diving competition. Photo: Hoang Quan

The contest of women's 1m springboard individual attracted the participation of eight athletes who came from Malaysia (Kimberly Bong Qian Ping and Nur Dhabita Bte Sabri), Singapore (Mira Dewan and Fong Kay Yian), Thailand (Khumboonjan), the Philippines (Arianna Hannah Drake) and Vietnam (Nguyen Phuong Anh and Ngo Phuong Mai).

After five jumps, Dhabitah chalked up 290.45 points over five dives at the My Dinh Aquatic Centre in Hanoi. Kimberly came in a distant second on 230 points while Vietnam's Ngo Phuong Mai claimed the bronze with 224 points.

Vietnamese diving team consists of nine divers, including Ngo Phuong Mai, Mai Hong Hanh, Nguyen Phuong Anh, Nguyen Tung Duong, Do Tuan Minh, Phuong The Anh, Dinh Anh Tuan, Nguyen Quang Dat and Dang Hoang Tu.

Diving is expected to bring Vietnam sports an overwhelming number of medals over other teams at the 31st SEA Games.

Diving and handball are the only two sports whose competitions will commence and finish before the opening ceremony of the SEA Games, set to be held on May 12. 

Phuong Mai had no chance to improve her skills through overseas training or international competitions in the last two years due to Covid-19. Photo: Hoang Quan

With less than a month to prepare, Vietnam’s diving team has set itself a modest target: to make no mistakes at the 31st SEA Games. Photo: Hoang Quan