After a week of intense competition in Dong Nai, the 2024 National Athletics Championship concluded successfully, earning high praise for its technical quality and competitiveness. Da Nang's athletics team affirmed its standing on the national stage with a total of 12 medals (3 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze), ranking among the top three teams for medal count and sixth overall.

Da Nang athletics team excelled at the 2024 National Athletics Championship.

This year’s championship, the 48^th edition, was the final tournament of 2024, co-organised by the Viet Nam Athletics Federation and Dong Nai Province. It brought together 52 delegations, including provinces, cities, and industries, with over 500 male and female athletes competing across 50 events-24 for men, 24 for women, and two mixed relay events. The competition served as a preparatory platform for Viet Nam’s athletics team ahead of the 33rd SEA Games, to be held in Thailand in December 2025.

Ha Noi secured first place overall with 8 gold, 5 silver, and 5 bronze medals. The top six teams were rounded out by the Army team (7 gold, 5 silver, 5 bronze), Ho Chi Minh City (5 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze), Ha Tinh (4 gold, 6 silver, 1 bronze), Dong Nai (4 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze), and Da Nang (3 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze).

Competing with a delegation of 8 coaches and 25 athletes, Da Nang’s achievements were impressive. Gold medals were claimed by Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuc (women’s 20km race walk), Nguyen Thanh Ngung (men’s 20km race walk), and Tran Thi Loan (women’s triple jump). Silver medals went to Do Tan Truong (men’s hammer throw), Mai Thi Yen (women’s hammer throw), Nguyen Pham Hoai Yen (women’s pole vault), Tran Ba Linh (men’s pole vault), and Vo Xuan Vinh (men’s 20km race walk). Bronze medals were earned by Nguyen Khanh Ly (women’s 1,500m run), Bien Van Anh (men’s 20km race walk), Tran Thi Loan (women’s long jump), and Huynh Thi Ngoc Ly (women’s hammer throw).

Notably, Tran Thi Loan upgraded her performance in the women’s triple jump, winning gold after securing silver in 2023. Similarly, Nguyen Thanh Ngung claimed gold in the men’s 20km race walk following a recovery from an injury that hindered his performance last year. This marks his 14^th national gold medal in the event. Da Nang also dominated the men’s 20km race walk, sweeping all three medals in the category.

In the women’s 20km race walk, Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuc set an unprecedented record by winning her 18^th consecutive national gold medal, finishing in 1 hour, 42 minutes, and 31 seconds. Thanh Phuc expressed her satisfaction with the achievement, noting its contribution to Da Nang’s overall success. Looking ahead, she aims to perform well in both national and international competitions in 2025, including the Asian Championship and the SEA Games.

In addition to its seasoned competitors, Da Nang’s emerging athletes delivered promising performances. The hammer throw team contributed two silver and one bronze medal. According to coach Le Van Binh, the team includes experienced athletes such as Do Tan Truong and Huynh Thi Ngoc Ly, as well as rising stars like Mai Thi Yen, who won gold and set a record at the 2023 National Youth Championship.

Da Nang athletics wrapped up 2024 on a high note. Earlier in the year, the team earned 3 gold and 1 silver medal at the National Youth Age Groups Championship in Binh Dinh, finishing eighth overall. They also secured 4 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze medals at the National Youth Championship in Kon Tum, ranking second overall.

Head coach Tran Anh Hiep attributed these successes to the relentless efforts of both athletes and coaches. With over 70 athletes across various disciplines such as race walking, running, long jump, pole vault, and hammer throw, the team remains committed to regular training. Looking ahead, Da Nang athletics aims to maintain its strong position in upcoming key events, including the 2025 National Athletics Championship, the 33^rd SEA Games, and the 10th National Sports Festival.

Reporting by PHI NONG - Translating by TRUC VY