Hosts Vietnam eye overall champions title after 19 years

Maestros: (Clokwise from back) Vietnam runner Duong Van Thai, Indonesian sprinter Lalu Zohri, Thailand’s taekwondo exponent Panipak Wongpattanakit, Singapore swimmer Joseph Schooling and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz of the Philippines.

PETALING JAYA: Vietnam showed their pedigree by becoming the overall champions as the first-time hosts in 2003 and expect the same domination at home again.

Vietnam soared with 158-97-91 medal haul 19 years ago and this time, they are expecting 140 gold medals from 1,300 athletes who will be competing in all 40 sports.