Brawl on Kien Giang River Leads to Disqualification of Two Teams and Six Athletes

A fight broke out while competitors were racing on the Kien Giang River, prompting organizers to cancel the qualifying results of two teams and suspend six athletes from further competition.

The incident occurred during the traditional boat racing and swimming event in Le Thuy, Quang Tri province, on the morning of Aug. 30. Some athletes from the two teams reportedly began arguing before the dispute turned physical while the race was still underway. People attending the festival recorded the confrontation, and footage spread quickly on social media.

The organizing committee canceled all results from the two teams in that qualifying heat and promoted teams behind them according to the actual race outcome. It also barred one athlete from the Loc Ha team and five from the Van Xa team. Authorities and organizers went to the scene to stabilize the situation and investigate the athletes’ conduct.

Pham Xuan Cuong, deputy chairman of the Le Thuy commune People’s Committee and head of the festival organizing committee, said the measures had been agreed on Aug. 31. Organizers said the sanctions were intended to enforce the rules and preserve the event’s spirit of sportsmanship, solidarity and tradition.

The annual festival combines cultural and sporting activities and takes place in Le Thuy around the anniversary of the August Revolution and Vietnam’s National Day on Sept. 2. It draws large crowds of residents and visitors.