Huynh Ha Huu Hieu claimed a thrilling victory in the women’s elite 45kg final, edging out Russia’s Sofia Istratova with consecutive 10-9 round scores. Despite Istratova’s fierce comeback in the third round, taking a 10-9 lead, it wasn’t enough to overcome Huu Hieu’s early advantage. This win solidifies Huu Hieu’s status as a three-time world champion, having previously won titles in 2019 and 2021.
In the junior division, Tran Thi Anh Tuyet showcased her dominance in the women’s U23 75kg category. She swept all three rounds with scores of 10-9 against Salama Aljneibi of the UAE. Anh Tuyet’s superior experience and skill were evident as she effortlessly launched attacks, securing a well-deserved gold medal.
While the performances of these two Vietnamese athletes were exceptional, the remaining seven finals did not meet expectations. The team fell short, settling for seven silver medals. Nonetheless, with two gold, seven silver, and nine bronze medals, Vietnam ranked an impressive ninth out of 55 participating delegations.
The IFMA Senior World Championships 2024 in Greece witnessed a strong showing from the Russian team, who topped the medal tally with 14 gold, 9 silver, and 9 bronze medals, followed by Thailand in second place. Over 1,500 elite Muay Thai athletes from more than 100 countries attended the event, with Vietnam proudly represented by 21 talented fighters.
