Aqua Warriors held in Quang Ninh for the first time

Aqua Warriors Ha Long Bay, the nation's largest aquathlon competition, was held on April 14 in Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province. Some 1,500 athletes competed in the swimming and running combination event.

Aqua Warriors Ha Long Bay was jointly held by the provincial People's Committee, Culture and Sports Department and Bolt Event. 

Organisers also aimed to make the Aqua Warriors Hạ Long an annual tournament of the city, responding to the campaign "All people do exercise following the example of the great President Ho Chi Minh" and the programme to prevent and control accidents and injuries in children for the period 2021-30 (including preventing drowning).

It is also expected to contribute to promoting Quang Ninh as a tourist destination and developing local tourism.

The tournament attracted the participation of about 1,500 athletes. Among them were many foreign competitors from South Korea, the US, Australia, France, India, Russia and New Zealand.

Athletes competed in five categories of Aqua Warriors (3km swim,15km run), Olympic Aqua Warriors (1.5km swim, 10km run), Sprint Aqua Warriors (0.75km swim, 5km run), Junior Aqua Warriors (0.3km swim, 2km run) and Kids Aqua Warriors (0.15km swim, 1km run).

The running route was designed around the beach road of Tran Quoc Nghien which offered runners stunning views of Ha Long Bay. The swimming was held at Hon Gai Beach, an area which was designed and constructed following Italian style at a cost of a VNĐ100 billion (US$4 million).