The two medals take the 51-year-old’s overall tally to 19 having competed in all but the first edition of the ASEAN Para Games in 2001.

That puts Thuy, who made her debut in Vietnam’s capital Hanoi 12 years ago, among the most decorated athletes in the history of the event.

"I am very happy," Thuy, who clocked a winning time of 34.01sec in the 200m final, said. 

"It is always special to win medals in these Games.

"I love sport.

"I continue to want to be healthy and active and I actually feel I have become more strong."

Thuy twice stood on the podium in the Singapore National Stadium alongside 23-year-old team-mate Lai Thi Ngoc Anh , bronze medallist in the 200m and gold medallist in the long jump with a Games record of 3.81 metres.

Silver medallist in the 200m was Cambodia’s Thin Seng Hon, while runner-up in the long jump was Myanmar’s Inginn Khin.

Further athletics gold medals were won by Vietnam through Cao Ngoc Hung and Le Van Manh in the men’s javelin throw F56/57 and men’s 100m T37 respectively.

It was Thailand, though, who topped the medal standings after the first day of action with six golds.

Boonsri Phichai was Thailand’s first winner on the day, claiming gold in the men’s shot put F11/12 with a throw of 11.29m, followed by Sekratok Pranaya, winner of the women’s 800m T53/54 in a time of 2 min 09.29sec.

Paeyo Pongsakorn brought up Thailand’s hat-trick with an unrivalled time of 1:41.26 in the men’s 800m T52/53 before three 100m gold medals came the country’s way.

Wannaruemon Kewalin took top honours in the women’s T11 in a time of 12.77 after which Phumchan Phonsuda won the women’s T36/38 in 16.81 and Konjen Saichon the men’s 100m T54 in a Games record 14.33.

Vietnam topped the standings in the pool however, racking up 18 medals, including five golds.

Nguyen Thanh Trung won the men’s 100m breaststroke SB4 in 1:48.93, while Do Thanh Hai and Le Tien Dat set Games records of 1:43.07 and 1:37.55 on their way to triumphing in the men’s 100m breaststroke SB5 and SB6 events respectively.

Vo Thanh Tung claimed Vietnam’s fourth swimming gold medal of the day, coming out on top in the men’s 100m freestyle S5 in 1:19.67, before Trinh Thi Bich Nhu posted a Games record of 1:58.03 to win the women’s 100m breaststroke SB6.

Medals were also awarded today in badminton, shooting and tenpin bowling.

Indonesia beat Malaysia 2-0 in the men’s team badminton final with the bronze medals going to the losing semi-finalists, Thailand and Vietnam.

In shooting competition, Thailand’s Phiraphong Buengbok beat Singapore’s Ritchie Chan Jun Rong to the R1 10m air rifle standing men SH1 title, while compatriot Bordin Sornsriwichai won gold in the P1 10m air pistol men SH1 event at the expense of another home athlete, Logaraj So Raju.

Malaysia were the strongest performers in tenpin bowling, winning gold medals in the mixed singles TB1, TB2, TB9 and TB10 events thanks to Azuan Bin Amir Hassan, Choo Kam Chan, Samsudin Bin Hassan and Wong Kee Soon respectively. 

At the end of the first day of competition, Thailand top the overall medal standings with 13 golds, 12 silvers and 13 bronzes, followed by Indonesia with 10 golds, 10 silvers and nine bronzes and Malaysia with nine golds, 11 silvers and seven bronzes. 

Action in Singapore is due to continue tomorrow with the Games set to run until December 9. 


Related stories
December 2015: Singapore 2015 ASEAN Para Games officially opened
December 2015: Singapore 2015 welcome ASEAN Para Games athletes with Village ceremony
November 2015: Singapore 2015 exceed sponsorship target ahead of ASEAN Para Games
September 2015: Singaporean Paralympians and BP staff participate in swimathon to mark start of partnership
July 2015: ASEAN Para Games recruit Deloitte as first sponsor for Singapore 2015