Nhan Dan Online - Vietnam has become the champion for the fifth time at the 2008 Southeast Asian Judo Championships which finished in Ho Chi Minh City on July 3.

The Vietnamese judokas pocketed 12 golds, three silvers and one bronze. The gold medals went to Truong Thi Tra My, Bui Thi Hoa (photo), Nguyen Thi Kieu, Van Ngoc Tu, Tran Thi Bich Tram, Dang Le Bich Van, Bui Khanh Du, Nguyen Duy Khanh, Ho Ngan Giang, Nguyen Quoc Hung, Nguyen Tuan Ngoc and Ly Huynh Long.

The runner-ups were Thailand with three golds, three silvers and seven bronzes. The Malaysian team won with one gold, eight silvers and three bronzes.

The championships drew 89 judokas from Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Laos, Singapore, Thailand and the host team to compete in 16 weight categories.

On July 5, the 17th International Judo Tournament will open in Ho Chi Minh City with the participation of judokas from Japan, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan and seven Southeast Asian nations.