Hosts Shining Early At Asian Beach Games

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

(ATR)Competition is underway at the fifth Asian Beach Games in Da Nang, Vietnam.

Through the full day of sport, host Vietnam is atop the medal table.

The host country brought the largest delegation to the event with 310 athletes, followed by Thailand with 292. Medals from beach kurash, ju-jitsu, and marathon swimming were awarded on day one.

A total of 22 sports will be contested at the Asian Beach Games, four fewer than the number in Phuket in 2014. Nearly 3,000 athletes from 45 countries are in Vietnam.

The first gold medal of the competition was won byBenjapor Sriphanomthorn in the women's five-kilometers marathon swim.

IOC President Thomas Bach was in attendance for the Games' opening ceremony and stayed for the first days of competition. Bach arrived in Vietnam after travelling to South Korea to meet with sport leaders from the next three Olympiads.

Bach was joined by Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Ahmad, and the Games were opened by Vietnamese Prime MinisterNguyễn Xuân Phúc. Phúc thanked the OCA and IOC for the assistance Vietnam's sports received in the past years. Vietnam had won the right to host the 2019 Asian Games in 2012, but withdrew two years later over a lack of preparedness and rising costs.

The opening ceremony theme of "Sunrise Over the Ocean," highlighting the opportunities the sea brings to the country. The Asian Beach Games flame was carried by five different athletes in canoes, where the flames were joined to open the festivities.

Fans can view stats of the Asia Beach games, event schedules, and other competition information through the event website. The website will also offer a daily highlight package.

Six sports, including Soccer and Beach Volleyball, will be broadcast live through the Vietnamese TV6 and VTV8 channels. The channels will also carry the closing ceremony of the Games live.

The Asian Beach Games began on Sep. 24 and conclude on Oct. 3.

Written by Courtney Colquitt and Aaron Bauer

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