Over the years, physical training and fitness movements have been effectively organised in Da Nang, contributing to improving locals’ health. Many people have gathered in groups to play sports together more methodically and effectively, even participating in many famous competitions, including IRONMAN triathlon.

Cao Van Tuan has been involved in playing sports to improve his health. Photo: NHI LAN

IRONMAN is a world famous triathlon with nearly 200 versions around the world. Organised by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), the competition consists of a 3.8km swim, a 180km bike ride and a 42.2km marathon.

Held for the first time in Da Nang, Viet Nam, in 2015, the triathlon provided an opportunity for the central coastal city to promote its images, thereby contributing to driving the local culture and tourism sectors.

However, at that time, Viet Nam had very few participating athletes, and Da Nang saw only two athletes.

In late 2016, a group of triathletes was established in Da Nang. The group members were triathlon finishers and outdoor sports enthusiasts.

In 2017, 7 out of the 9 Da Nang contestants achieved outstanding results in the top age group of Vietnamese in the VNG Ironman 70.3 Vietnam triathlon 2017, and qualified to participate in the international championship held in the Philippines that year.

Since then, the Danang Triathlon Club has been set up with the intention of facilitating local athletes to improve their physical strengths and accumulate valuable experience for future Ironman competitions.

In 2022, over 100 triathletes in Da Nang registered for the Ironman competition 2022. Most notably, some group member represented Viet Nam at the SEA Games 31. Four others completed Ironman 140.6 with standard distance abroad, whilst some others were named in top 10 triathletes in Viet Nam.

Cao Van Tuan, 49, an officer of the Mobifone Center in Da Nang and a member of the Danang Triathlon Club, said that, during the past 5 years, he always wakes up at 4:00 am every day and starts his new day with running sport.

Tuan's reason for coming to sports was when he suffered from some health problems, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol when he weighed up to 74 kg.

Since then, he was determined to run to improve his physical strength. Thanks to his perseverance and efforts, he completed the Hue Marathon with a distance of 42.195km in a time of 3 hours and 57 minutes. This distance is considered quite difficult for such movement runners like him.

After running, in December 2018, he started practicing triathlon: swimming - cycling - jogging.

Till date, Tuan has gained some outstanding achievements, including finishing the Da Nang International Marathon with the distance of 42.195km in nearly 6 hours in August 2018, the VNG Ironman 70.3 Vietnam triathlon 2019 in a time of 6 hours 38 minutes, the Hue Marathon 2020 in a time of 3 hours 57 minutes, and the Ironman 140.6 tournament in Australia in a time of 13 hours 23 minutes.

Regular exercise can improve physical strength, and relax mental health, Vo Quoc Tuan, 38, the leader of the Danang Triathlon Club, said he started playing sports in mid-2016.

“Due to the nature of work, I have to go to parties. After my health declined and many diseases occurred, I decided to practice sports" said Tuan.

Tuan was very eager to compete in the VNG IRONMAN 70.3 Viet Nam Triathlon which was held in Da Nang for the first time with the purpose of checking his health and enduringness.

After participating in this sports event, he quickly abandoned his idea of ​​becoming a real ‘Iron Man’ because he was not strong enough to finish the competition with a 1.9km swim, a 2-loop 90km cycle race, and a 21km run.

Vo Quoc Tuan and his friends in the jogging group. Photo: NHI LAN

Thanks to his great efforts, Tuan overcame his fear and successfully conquered the triathlon’s events.

His passion for triathlon has been passed on to 3 children and now they are proficient in triathlon like their father.

In 2017, Tuan established the Danang Triathlon Club to spread his passion to share training experiences.

Initially, the club consisted of only 2 people, now it has hundreds of members.

Tuan hopes that an increasing number of residents, especially young people, will participate in sports movements citywide in a bid to improve their physical health and promote the city's image to international friends.

Reporting by NHI LAN - Translating by M.DUNG