After a period of training hard, members of Da Nang’s high-achievement sports squad are ready to embark on the journey to conquer their goals at the 32^nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in May in Cambodia.

The forthcoming regional sports event is forecasted to pose many difficulties and challenges for the sports delegation of Da Nang in particular and that of Viet Nam in general when the host country has many changes in the organisation of the competitions.

Walker Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuc and her brother Nguyen Thanh Ngung are two of the city's sports expectations at the SEA Games 32. Photo: P.N

Removal of strength sports

Seven coaches and twenty-eight athletes from Da Nang attended SEA Games 31. Local athletes earned 14 gold, 9 silver and 8 bronze medals. Two of them won 2 - 3 gold medals each, and 5 others broke SEA Games records. The positive results were a driving force but also create a lot of pressure for local athletes to maintain their achievements at the SEA Games 32.

At the SEA Games 32, the city sends 6 coaches and 24 athletes to Cambodia who compete in some sports events, namely athletics, swimming, taekwondo, karate, diving, billiards, triathlon, sailing, ouk chatrang, kun bokator and traditional boat racing.

It is a pity that some of the city’s strength sports are not included in the SEA Games 32 competition programme, especially canoeing and rowing.

At the SEA Games 31, local rowers Hien Nam, Pham Thi Hue, Vo Nhu Sang, Pham Chung and Vo Duy Thanh brought home 5 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze medals in the categories of canoeing and rowing.

Rower Pham Thi Hue, who claimed 3 golds in women’s rowing events, namely heavyweight single scull in the women's pair, heavyweight double sculls in women's four and women’s single at SEA Games 31, expresses her feeling of sadness when she does not have the opportunity to win more gold medals to the city's sports sector. However, she is determined to maintain regular training to ensure her fitness and stay ready for international tournaments in the future.

Meanwhile, athlete Hien Nam who won 2 gold medals in Canoeing: in men’s C2-1000m and men’s C4 -1000m events will compete in traditional boat racing at the SEA Games 32 which is not his sport of strength, so the chance to compete for medals is not high.

Determined to achieve goals

The city’s sports delegation targets to grab 3 gold s, 2 silver and 4 bronze medals at the SEA Games 32.

When rowing is excluded from the competition programme, other sports of strength such as athletics, swimming, diving and taekwondo are the expectation of the city’s sports.

In which, in athletics, walkers Vo Xuan Vinh and Nguyen Thanh Phuc are expected to successfully defend gold medals in the men and women’s 20km events. Meanwhile, Nguyen Thanh Phuc's younger brother, Nguyen Thanh Ngung, aims to improve his achievement of winning bronze at the SEA Games 31.

Wlaker Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuc said after winning the gold medal at the 31^st SEA Games, she returned to practice in preparation for the 9^th National Sports Games in late 2022. She and other members of the Vietnamese walking team practice every day at Viet Nam's National Sports and Physical Training Centre in Da Nang.

“On the eve of the 32^nd SEA Games, I and members of the Vietnamese walking team attended the Asian 20km Race Walking Championship 2023 in March in Japan. At this tournament, I achieved good stats and will strive to maintain until the day I compete at the 32^nd SEA Games” Phuc remarked.

In swimming category, talented swimmer Hoang Quy Phuoc decided to attend the 32^nd SEA Games before considering retirement. There are not many opportunities to compete in the individual swimming events, but Phuoc can win more gold medals in the team relay event.

Phuoc brought home 2 golds, 1 silver, 1 bronze medal from SEA Games 31. Notably, he pocketed two gold medals in men’s 4x200 and 4x100-meter freestyle relay events.

Before arriving in Cambodia, Phuoc and members of the Vietnamese swimming team had a 2-month training course in Hungary.

Similarly, athletes Tran Thi Anh Tuyet and Nguyen Thi Hang strive to protect gold medals in taekwondo and diving, respectively. Both are at the peak of their careers, so the possibility of continuing to win golds at SEA Games 32 is entirely possible.

According to Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports Nguyen Trong Thao, the SEA Games 32 is an important sports tournament for athletes of the whole country in general and the city in particular in 2023.

The host country Cambodia Cambodia removes some familiar sports of strength from SEA Games 32, so the goals of the city’s sports team are also adjusted accordingly. This will reduce pressure on athletes during training and competition. Hopefully, the city’s elite athletes will gain the best results, thereby contributing to the overall success of the Vietnamese sports delegation at the regional sports event.

Reporting by PHI NONG - Translating by M.DUNG