22nd South East Asian Games

Rowing Champions at the 22nd S.E.A. Games
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Finals of the rowing events at the 22nd South East Asian Games were held on the West Lake in Hanoi, Vietnam at the weekend. Over 70 rowers from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam took part in the regatta racing in a total of 8 events. Indonesia led the overall medal table with a total of 4 gold and 1 silver medal but their traditional dominance of South East Asian rowing was strongly challenged by host country Vietnam who took 3 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze to rank second. Thailand were third with 1 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze.

The women’s single sculls were won in impressive style by Pere Karoba of Indonesia, who led from the start and finished in a time of 8:28.26. Second place went to Thailand’s Phuttharaksa Nikree in 8:43.10 and Elsie Lim of Singapore was third in 8:52.64.

Asian Champion, Vu Dang Tuan of Vietnam continued his winning form to take the gold medal in the men’s lightweight single sculls in 7:24.00. Vu, who is noted for his extremely fast start, led by nearly 4 seconds after the first 500 meters and maintained this gap to the finish. Jose Rodriguez of the Philippines was second in 7:27.45 and Ruthtanaphol Theppibal of Thailand third in 7:34.40.

Thailand’s Phuttharaksa Nikree was in action again only an hour after her singles race and this time, together with partner Bussayamas Phaengkathok, it was to be a gold medal performance in the women’s lightweight double sculls. Thailand had been strong favorites going into the regatta and they finished far ahead of the field in 7:38.60. Myanmar were second in 7:55.20 and Vietnam third in 7:59.70.

Indonesia dominated the lightweight men’s pair from start to finish, crossing the line in 7:12.70 ahead of the Philippines in 7:21.77 and Vietnam in 7:27.34.

Racing on Day 2 of the finals had to be delayed due to strong winds in the morning which had made the lake unrowable. The conditions calmed significantly in the afternoon however and the competition was able to resume after lunch.

Vu Dang Tuan, gold medalist in the lightweight single sculls, took to the water again in the men’s open singles event, taking on Indonesia’s Lasmin Lasmin and Benjamin Tolentino of the Philippines ? two of the biggest heavyweight rowers in the region. Vu again shot away from the start, rowing more comfortably than his heavier rivals in the choppy water. By the halfway point he had a lead of 10 seconds and stormed home to win his second gold medal of the Championships in 7:39.31. Lasmin of Indonesia held off a strong finishing challenge from the Philippine’s sculler to finish second in 7:53.83. Tolentino was third in 7:55.17.

Thailand and the Philippines went into the final of the men’s lightweight double sculls as favorites for the gold medal, but it was the home crew of Nguyen Van Nguyen and Nguyen Tuan Anh who took the honours at the line in 7:03.76. Thailand were second in 7:10.60 and Philippines third in 7:11.14.
The women’s lightweight pair was won by Weni and Enggelina Ohello of Indonesia in 8:20.43. Vu Thi Vui and Nguyen Thi Thi of Vietnam were second in 8:27.78 and Chaw Su and Yin Yin Htwe of Myanmar third in 8:29.86.

The men’s lightweight four saw Indonesia continue their dominance of the sweep events and secure their place at the top of the medal table by taking gold in 6:40.55. Philippines were second in 6:46.33 and Vietnam were third in 6:51.02 ? taking their seventh medal out of eight events.

Competitive Commission member, Morten Espersen, and Asian Development Consultant, Chris Perry, attended the Championships on behalf of FISA and were impressed by the level of organization and investment made by the host country. This included the construction of a new, 1 million US$ rowing and canoeing centre and the purchase of 30 racing boats.

The South East Asian Games is the biggest sporting event held in the region. It involves over 5000 athletes from 11 countries competing in 32 different sports. Vietnam, hosting the Games for the first time, has invested over 20 million dollars to build and upgrade 12 different sports facilities ? including a 40,000 seat stadium. The next S.E.A. Games will be held in the Philippines in 2005.

At the South East Asian Rowing Federation Congress, also held at the weekend, Mr. Benjamin Ramos of the Philippines was elected President and promised to do his best to ensure that rowing will again be included in 2005. The Congress was also attended by delegates from Brunei Darussalam and Cambodia, who hope to begin rowing programs before the next Games. Laos and East Timor are the remaining targets for further development.