In 2005, Huu Viet was widely considered Vietnam’s top swimmer as he slaked the country’s 40-year thirst for SEA Games gold, grabbing the men’s 100m breaststroke title at the 23rd SEA Games in the Philippines. He went on to two consecutive title defences at the SEA Games in Thailand (2007) and Laos (2009).
At the 26th Games in Indonesia two years ago, luck did not smile on Viet, as he failed to make the podium in any of the swimming disciplines, which dealt a shock to Vietnam swimming lovers. Right after that disappointing failure, Viet decided to withdraw from the national swimming team to focus on his studies at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Physical Education and Sports and to deal with his troublesome asthma. He did not, however, bid farewell to the ‘blue track’.
Viet asserted his absolute domination in the breaststroke events at the recent 2013 National Swimming and Finswimming Championships, taking top honours in all three distances – 50, 100 and 200 metres – and raising his domestic gold medal tally to 50. For his stunning performance, Viet has been summoned to the national team to compete in next month’s SEA Games.
The return of the three-time SEA Games champion to the region’s biggest sporting event is excellent news for Vietnam swimming fans, who have always stood by and supported him. This will be his last opportunity to prove his abilities and finished atop the podium, as he failed to do at the 2011 competition.
Viet has registered to compete in the men’s 4x100m relay at this year’s SEA Games. His health has been completely recovered. He is currently receiving technical training in HCM City from a Chinese expert, aiming to get into top physical and mental form before heading to Myanmar to conquer the regional gold medal.
Trying his utmost to claim victory at the 27th SEA Games will be an excellent way for the ‘Frog King’ Huu Viet to thank his parents, trainers and home fans, who have never lost faith in him.
With the talented roster of swimmers sent to the Games – namely Huu Viet, Quy Phuoc, Anh Vien and Duy Khoi – home fans have the right to anticipate a fruitful SEA Games for Vietnam swimming.
