Vietnam currently has a generation of talented young swimmers. Alongside Da Nang’s Hoang Quy Phuoc, who is known as the Han River ‘otter’, Nguyen Thi Anh Vien and Tran Duy Khoi are also expected to shine in the 27th SEA Games ‘green races’.
At the 26th Games two years ago, Anh Vien brought home just two silver medals – in the women’s 100m backstroke and 400m medley events. However, after undergoing a two-year training course in the United States, the 17-year-old has recorded lightning-fast progress and impressive achievements that have extended past the Southeast Asian regional scale and reached the continental level. Anh Vien is therefore expected to put in a strong performance at the region’s biggest sporting event in Myanmar.
After returning from his training course in France, Duy Khoi, another excellent junior athlete, put on an amazing appearance at the recent 2013 National Swimming and Finswimming Championships, breaking the national men’s 200m medley record previously held by another youthful star, Quy Phuoc, who won two gold medals at the 26th SEA Games. These two young talents could play a key role in realising Vietnam’s target of winning five to six gold medals in swimming at the 27th SEA Games.
In track and field, Nguyen Thi Oanh is an excellent successor to ‘short-distance speed queen’ Vu Thi Huong, who has lost her top form due to recent injuries. Oanh, 17, recorded three gold medals in the women's 200m and 400m races and the 4x400m relay at the 2013 National Athletics Championships in September. Should she receive appropriate training in the near future, Oanh has the talent to compete at the Asian level.
Nguyen Thi Oanh
Regarding the middle-distance events, alongside defending men's 800m SEA Games champion Duong Van Thai, Do Thi Thao is expected to fill the vacant place left by Truong Thanh Hang, who will be absent from the 27th SEA Games due to injuries. Thao walked away with three silver medals at the Asian Athletics Grand Prix competition six months ago, so expectations are high for her strong performances in the 800 and 1,200 metres in Myanmar next month.
Another promising track and field athlete who should not be overlooked is Quach Thi Lan. Despite being only 17, Lan has amassed a stunning collection of accomplishments. In addition to her aptitude for the hurdles, the 400m dash is also among Lan's strengths. Lan was sent abroad for training in June 2013 in preparation for the 2014 Asian Games in the Republic of Korea.
Quach Thi Lan
The 21-year-old race-walker Nguyen Thanh Ngung is also hoping to take top honours in the men's 20km distance at this year's SEA Games.
In addition to these 'gold mines' (swimming and athletics), the weightlifting events are also expected to proffer gold medals to Vietnam, with medal hopes placed on Tran Le Quoc Toan and Thach Kim Tuan. At the World Weightlifting Championships in Poland last month, Kim Tuan performed outstandingly to take home three bronzes in his favourite weight class of 56kg. The 27th SEA Games will be a good opportunity for the 19-year-old to improve on his disappointing bronze medal performance at the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia.
Thach Kim Tuan
In bodybuilding, all eyes are on Nguyen Anh Thong, the reigning world champion in the 60kg weight class. The 18-year-old from Can Tho city has made a spectacular break-through, surging past his senior teammate Pham Van Mach to take the 60kg crown at the 5th WBPF World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships, held from November 13-17. With a powerfully built body and well-developed muscle mass, Anh Thong remains one of the gold medal favourites at this year's SEA Games.
