Karate 

NINH BÌNH — Việt Nam dominated the Southeast Asian Karate Federation Championships 2026 in Ninh Bình Province, winning 29 gold medals. 

The defending champions proved once again that they were the undisputed top team in the region, comfortably defeating teams from other ASEAN countries at the Ninh Bình Gymnasium..

To the delight of the home supporters, the team picked up four gold medals on July 12, the final day of the competition.

The winners were in the men's and women's team kata (performance) and kumite (combat) categories.

Performing Tomari Bassai, the trio of Bùi Ngọc Nhi, Hoàng Thị Thu Uyên and Nguyễn Ngọc Trâm impressed the judges with their flawless technique, explosive power and aggressive spirit. They won 5-0 against their Thai rivals, Plangplai Phatcharin, Sakulrattanatara Monsicha and Terananon Ramitar.

In the all-Vietnamese men's final, Phạm Minh Đức, Giang Việt Anh and Bùi Chí Công defeated Lê Phạm Trường Giang, Phạm Minh Quân and Trương Hữu Nhật Minh 3-2.

While the female team beat Malaysia 2-1 in the final, the male squad recorded a 3-0 victory over their teammates in an all-Vietnamese gold-medal match.

Việt Nam also secured 31 silver and 32 bronze medals in other categories for cadets, junior and senior athletes.

Indonesia came second with 13 gold medals, followed by Malaysia with six. Malaysia will also host the 14th edition of the tournament next year.

Outstanding faces

Hoàng Thị Mỹ Tâm and Nguyễn Ngọc Trâm were among the best athletes of the championship winning two gold medals each in kumite and kata, respectively.

 

A strong punch against her Malaysia rival brought Tâm the decisive point to wrap up Việt Nam's women's team kumite win.

Earlier, she comfortably won the individual women's 61kg category.

“Every match is a challenge that demands our full focus and best performance.," said Tâm, 23.

"Winning the final is something I have been waiting for, and this championship title holds great value for us.

"It is a result that boosts my spirit and the entire team's morale ahead of upcoming competitions.”

Returning to Ninh Bình four years after the 31st SEA Games, Tâm showed significant improvement by winning two gold medals and a bronze.

“This is the first time I have won an international gold medal on home turf. It will be a milestone in my career, and Ninh Bình is a place that holds unforgettable memories for me," said Tâm, who secured two Asian championship bronze medals two weeks ago.

She said the Asian medals and regional titles had given her confidence ahead of the 20th Asian Games (ASIAD) in September in Japan.

Three years ago at the 19th Games, Tâm was ousted early from the tournament. 

“Experience is the most valuable thing I have gained from tournaments," she said.

"Every result, whether a win or a loss, serves as a lesson that helps me improve for the next competition."

SEA Games champion Trâm also goes into the Asian Games with greater confidence in her quest for a medal.

“I was fully focused on my technical preparation, and my performance was on the right track," said Trâm. 

"This championship victory is especially meaningful because I won the gold medal on home soil."

It was the third consecutive year that Trâm advanced to the individual final. After losing in 2024, Trâm came back stronger to win the title in both 2025 and 2026.

“I always aim to give my best performance in every event. And the most important one is the ASIAD. Results at the regional championship serve as a major motivation ahead of the challenge in Japan," she said.

According to the Việt Nam coaching staff, the past two international championships were valuable opportunities for athletes to assess their form and learn about their rivals ahead of the 20th ASIAD.

The team hopes to win more medals than it did at the Games in Hangzhou in 2022, where it secured one gold, one silver and two bronze medals. — VNS