Beach Games Competition Comes to an End

ATR's coverage of the Asian Beach Games is proudly sponsored by the Olympic Council of Asia.

(ATR) The fifth edition of the Asian Beach Games (ABG5) is nearly a wrap.

"On the eve of the closing ceremony of the 5th Asian Beach Games here in Danang, Vietnam, I would like to declare the event a complete success," vice president of the OCATimothy Fok said in a statement.

Host country Vietnam continued to dominate ABG5 ending the games with 139 medals total, 52 being gold. Thailand, host of the 2014 Beach Games, followed close behind with 90 medals. China was placed third with 49 medals total and 12 gold. 172 gold medals have been awarded at this year’s games.

The final competitions included: beach handball, beach sepaktakraw, beach soccer, beach volleyball, beach woodball, sambo, traditional martial arts, wrestling and vovinam.

"The OCA congratulates the organizers, the central government of Vietnam, the local government of Danang city and the people of Danang for all their efforts in bringing together over 2,500 athletes from the five zones of Asia and for staging an unforgettable beach and sea sports festival" Fok adds.

"The OCA believes the family-oriented, fun-filled beach games concept will continue to flourish within the Olympic Movement."

Few countries including Iraq and Syria, who did not place high on the medal table were able to make their presence felt at this years games.

Amir Yahya Abdulamir Al Bazy of Iraq won four matches to win a jujitsu gold medal in the men’s 62kg class. Other athletes including Jasim Hameed and the men's 3x3 basketball team also assisted in raising the country's medal count. Iraq won a total of 10 medals, good enough for joint 20th place on the medal table.

Marathon swimmer Saleh Mohammad played a huge role in Syria's medal winnings. Having already competed in four editions of the Beach Games, the Syrian swimmer won the seventh and eighth medals of his career this year. Syria won a total of three medals.

"The athletes of Iraq and Syria have shown the true spirit of Olympism, not only by competing here but by winning medals to make their countries proud," said OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam.

Afghanistan's national water polo team spent their first games outside their country at the ABG5.

Known for being one of the most dangerous places for women, the country also recently developed their first women's water polo team.

Afghanistan won a total of three bronze medals in the beach soccer, sambo, and wrestling events.

The ABG5 will conclude with the closing ceremony on Oct. 3, which will be broadcast live through the Vietnamese TV6 and VTV8 channels.

Homepage photo: OCA

Written by Courtney Colquitt

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