It has been a tradition to have female boxing included in the official program of the Southeast Asian Games. Their first women fights were held in Bacolod, Philippines back in 2005 and since then it has been an integral part of the Games' schedule.
Female boxing is very popular in Vietnam and their first fighter to take the ring in the day's competition was newly crowned National Champion Trinh Thi Diem Kie who eliminated Myanmar's tough veteran Kyu Kyu Thin in the Pinweight quarter-finals.
Philippines' AIBA Women's World Championships bronze medallist and two-time Southeast Asian Games winner Alice Kate Aparri also advanced to the semi-finals in Palembang after beating Laos' best female fighter, Southeast Asian Games silver medallist Milvady Hongfa in the Light Flyweight division.
Vietnam's next female boxer, AIBA 'Road to Barbados' Program member Nguyen Thi Tuyet made her debut in the Games and eliminated Myanmar's National Champion Hnin Mo Mo Naing by large margin of points in the Olympic Flyweight category.
There is a long tradition about the rivalry between Thailand and Philippines in the SEA Games' boxing tournament. In the Flyweight division, Thailand's 21-year-old Asian Indoor Games winner Sopida Satumrum shocked Philippines' AIBA Women's World Championships bronze medallist Analisa Cruz.
In the last female contest of the second day of competition, Asian Indoor Games' winner Peamwilai Laopeam continued Thailand's winning streak by overcoming the challenge of Laos' newcomer Vilayphone Tawane in this Bantamweight contest. The 28-year-old Thai fighter will have great expectations in progressing from the semi-finals now as well.
In the Men's event, Indonesia's Bantamweight boxer, Rafly Langi triumphed over Timor's Othnel Negrito Baptista while Vietnam's Asian Championships bronze medallist 23-year-old Tran Quoc Viet was victorious against Laos' 21-year-old Xayyasone Keochoi. The ringside doctor stopping the fight with the Vietnamese boxer now secure in earning at least a bronze in Palembang.
Myanmar's National Champion Kyaw Kyaw Latt from Yangon City had a quick bout against Cambodia's 19-year-old Phal Sophorn following his opponent's injury. Thailand's Athens Olympic Games silver medallist veteran Worapoj Petchkoom defeated his main rival, Philippines' Junel Cantancio in the same Bantamweight class.
Thailand's AIBA World Championships quarter-finalist and Beijing Olympian Sailom Ardee had already secured his ticket to London and his victory here over Myanmar's National Champion Pyae Phyo Hein was the expected result. Ardee's main rival in the Lightweight category is current Southeast Asian Games winner Charlie Suarez who moved up a division last year. The Filipino fighter did not give any chance to Cambodia's Asian Games competitor Phal Sophat and advanced to the semi-finals.
Singapore's Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Tournament bronze medallist Muhammad Ridhwan stopped Laos' newcomer Khonavang Khammouna while Indonesia's 19-year-old Southeast Asian Games winner Matius Mandiangan defeated Adnan Abdul Awadullah of Malaysia in the last bout of the day.
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