Twenty one domestic winners from last year have been called up to train for the next seven months, and sports authorities are hopeful they will win two to three gold medals.

Vietnamese athletes at the Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship 2019.

The last time bodybuilding was an event in the SEA Games was in Myanmar in 2013. It is not an Olympic or Asian Games sport and only makes fleeting appearances in the SEA Games events, and so this year’s event is priceless for the athletes.

At this year-end’s SEA Games 31, the sport will feature a total of 10 categories, including seven men’s individual weight classes (from 55 kg to 85 kg), one each for women, mixed pairs and old school category for men.

According to head coach Nguyen Van Hai, the likely candidates for gold medals are Pham Van Mach, Dinh Kim Loan, Tran Thi Cam Tu, and Pham Van Phuoc, all highly regarded names.

The games will be held from November 21 to December 2 in Hanoi and 13 other localities, with 40 sports comprising 526 events.

My Dinh national stadium gets 2021 SEA Games revamp

My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi is undergoing a VND150 billion ($6.4 million) renovation to prepare for the 31st SEA Games, a biennial sport event within the ASEAN bloc, in 2021.

Vietnam actively preparing for SEA Games 31, ASEAN Para Games 11

Leaders of the General Department of Sports and Physical Training under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Sub-committees met in Hanoi on December 22 to review preparations for the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) and the 11th ASEAN Para Games (ASEAN Para Games 11).

Kick-off ceremony starts one-year countdown to 31st SEA Games

A kick-off ceremony was held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Hanoi People’s Committee on November 21, marking one year until the opening of the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi on November 21, 2021.

Saola becomes official mascot of 2021 SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games

The saola, a rare animal first found in Vietnam in 1992, has been chosen as the official mascot of the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and the 11th ASEAN Para Games, to be hosted in Vietnam next year.

Hanoi to host countdown event for 31st SEA Games

A countdown event for the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games is scheduled to be held by the General Department of Sports and Physical Training in Hanoi on November 15.

Source: VnExpress