Vietnam defeats Thailand to claim women’s sepak takraw world championship

The women's four-player category is currently considered Vietnam’s strongest discipline in sepak takraw, as the Vietnamese secured world titles in 2022 and 2023.

Heading into the final, the Vietnamese team had suffered consecutive losses in the finals of the women’s three-player event and the men’s four-player event.

Thailand completely controlled the first set, quickly taking the lead and maintaining a safe margin throughout. They secured the set with a 15-12 win.

In the second set, Vietnam started strong and at one point led Thailand by six points, ultimately winning the set 15-8 to level the match.

The decisive third set was expected to be intense, and the host nation Thailand showed determination early on, briefly leading by two points.

However, the Vietnamese players — Tran Thi Ngoc Yen, Nguyen Thi Yen, Nguyen Thi My, and Nguyen Thi Ngoc Huyen — delivered an explosive performance.

Despite trailing, Vietnam turned the game around with a series of impressive aerial kicks and powerful plays. Thailand, in response, struggled to break through Vietnam’s tight defensive wall.

Vietnam closed out the third set with a commanding 15-7 win, securing a dramatic 2-1 victory.

The Hat Yai indoor stadium in Songkhla Province, Thailand fell silent in the wake of Vietnam’s incredible comeback.

Sepak takraw is a sport long dominated by Thailand. For many years, Thailand has won nearly all the gold medals across events.

Over the past few years, however, Vietnam has begun to break this dominance in the women’s four-player category, highlighted by their world titles in 2022 and 2023.

With this latest championship, Vietnam confidently asserts its position as the world’s top team in the women's four-player sepak takraw event.