Da Nang's high-achievement sports has strongly affirmed its position in the country in recent years, which was mainly attributed to continuous efforts made by local athletes. In 2022, some famous sporting faces of the city continued to leave a deep impression on national and international arena.

Swimmer Hoang Quy Phuoc: Inspiring young generation

Hoang Quy Phuoc

Referring to Hoang Quy Phuoc, swimming fans did not forget the moments when the 'extraordinary man of the Han River' went down in history with noble medals.

Discovered at a local swimming competition, Quy Phuoc has been focusing on training since he was 11 years old. Possessing the ideal body of a swimmer with desired tall, long arms and long toes, Phuoc seems to be born just to conquer the ‘green race’.

The guy born in 1993 has gained many successes during nearly 20 years of swimming career. He is the pride of sports in Da Nang in particular and Viet Nam in general.

Currently, he is the most experienced member of the national swimming team. Thanks to his youthful and cute personality, he is loved by his juniors, namely Nguyen Huy Hoang and Tran Hung Nguyen.

2022 continued to be a successful year for Quy Phuoc as he excellently brought home two gold medal in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay and 4x200m freestyle relay events, one silver  and one bronze for the national sports delegation at SEA Games 31.

“Despite this is the 7^th time that I have competed in the regional sporting event, I still felt honoured to stand on the podium. It is the result of days of hard work and the special care of leaders at all levels" Quy Phuoc said.

At the age of 29 when many other swimmers have retired from competition, Quy Phuoc still maintains a scientific and disciplined with the hope of bringing more achievements for the locality and the country.

“I am not young anymore, because age is getting heavier and my performance is no longer the same, so I have to try harder and harder. After the SEA Games 31, I continue to practice towards ASIAD in 2023. My goal at the tournaments is to show my full potential to spread faith and aspiration to young athletes. In the future, when I say goodbye to the national team, I plan to return to Da Nang in order to continue playing for the city’s swimming team” Quy Phuoc said.

Rower Pham Thi Hue: Breaking limits

Pham Thi Hue (second, right)

For many years, Pham Thi Hue has been known as the "golden face" in sailing. She is currently a member of the Da Nang and national boat racing teams. Last year, the 32-year-old woman did not disappoint Vietnamese fans when she and her teammates won 3 gold medals in the events of heavyweight women's single sculls, and heavyweight double sculls in women's four and women’s single.

In her career, Pham Thi Hue has achieved many successes, including one gold and one silver medals at SEA Games 26 in 2011, two silvers at ASIAD 2013, two golds at SEA Games 28 in 2015, one silver at SEA Games 30 in 2019 and two tickets to the Olympics.

“Every time I win a medal, I feel proud and extremely grateful for what I have. Certainly, with the expectation and responsibility that I carry on my shoulders, I will set new goals to break my limits and contribute to bringing the country's sports to new heights" Hue said.

Born in a purely farming family with many brothers in Quang Binh Province, with no sports tradition, Hue has had a passion for sports since her childhood. When she was a pupil, she always registered to attend the school's Sports Games.

With her strong determination, Hue continuously achieved high prizes in sports festivals at school, district and provincial levels. With natural talents and relentless efforts, Hue was noticed and recruited by the national sailing team's coaching board.

In 2010, Hue and rower Dang Minh Huy of the Da Nang boat racing team got married and lived together in An Ngai Tay 2 Village, Hoa Son Commune, Hoa Vang District. Since then, she became an athlete of the city’s boat racing team and studied at the Faculty of Sports Training at the Da Nang University of Physical Education and Sports.

Sharing about future goals, Hue said she practices regularly to be ready to participate in national and international tournaments. It is a pity that rowing and canoeing are not on the list of sports at the 32^nd SEA Games in Cambodia in 2023. However, she has the opportunity to attend the ASIAD 2023 in China.

“In the upcoming ASIAD 2023, I will do my best to achieve the highest score. In the future, I want to become a coach in order to convey my experience to young athletes”, she added.

Rower Hien Nam: Don’t give up in difficulties and hardships

Hien Nam (left)

Along with Pham Thi Hue, Hien Nam is also a typical athlete in the sailing sport of Da Nang sports sector.

Orphaned at a young age, Hien Nam always creates for himself discipline and strong will.

Since he was a secondary school pupil, he was interested in many sports such as football, volleyball and athletics, and achieved high results at the school-level Sports Games.

In 2016, Hien Nam was selected by coaches at the Da Nang Center for Training Sports Athletes to participate in canoeing training.

With his constant efforts, over the years, Hien Nam has continuously achieved outstanding results in canoeing.

In 2017, he excellently grabbed 3 gold and 2 silver medals at the national youth rowing and canoeing championships, and 2 gold medals in the C4-1000 and C4-5000 events at the 8^th National Sports Games in 2018. In addition, he consecutively won national championships in many canoeing events from 2019 - 2021. In 2022, Hien Nam was the typical athlete of Da Nang sports to win 2 gold medals in the C2-1000 and C4- 1000 events at SEA Games 31.

“In the short term, I am determined to graduate from Danang University of Sports and Sports, majoring in sports training. In the future, hopefully, I will become a canoeing coach to continue pursuing my dream,” said Hien Nam.

Reporting by PHI NONG - Translating by M.DUNG