VIENTIANE — Vietnam surged clear at the top of the Southeast Asian Games medals table on Thursday .
In a packed programme in capital Vientiane, including badminton and men's boxing finals, Vietnam's haul of 13 golds took them to a total of 76, seven clear of long-time leaders Thailand.
On the final day of track and field their tally was boosted by wins in the 1,500m for Nguyen Dinh Cuong and Truong Thanh Hang, both of whom had previously won their 800m events.
"I was injured before the SEA Games so I'm very happy to win two gold medals," said Nguyen Dinh Cuong, who timed 3 minutes 46.58 seconds.
Dinh Cuong won a gold medal in 1,500m race.
In the women's event, Truong Thanh Hang held off a strong challenge by Myanmar's Than Toe Khin Myo down the home straight to win in 4:19.48, saying she was surprised by how hard she had been pushed in the final 100 metres.
Indonesia's Triyaningsih completed the women's 5,000 metres/10,000 metres double for the second SEA Games running, smashing the games record by more than a minute and finishing in 32 minutes, 49.47 seconds.
"I'm proud to have broken the record," she said, adding she had worked hard in the run-up to the games.
"I want to run the marathon at the Asian Games in China next year," she added, referring to the event in the southern city of Guangzhou.
Malaysia's Mohammed Zafril won the men's 400m, with Treewadee Yongphan taking gold in the women's event for Thailand.
Thailand finished the track and field with a flourish, winning both 4x100m sprint relays, with Amornrat Winatho taking heptathlon gold.
Malaysia's Roslinda Samsu took the women's pole vault in a new SEA Games record of 4.15 metres while compatriot Lee Hup Wei took gold in the men's high jump.
Danilo Fresnido won men's javelin gold for the Philippines and Singapore's Zhang Guirong won the women's shot put.
Athletes from 11 nations are competing at the 10-day SEA Games, which are held every two years in sports ranging from athletics and swimming to sepak takraw and wushu. They close on Friday.
