"The Golden Girl" of Vietnamese Athletics
Nguyen Thi Oanh, 28 years old, from My Ha commune, Lang Giang, Bac Giang, made history at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) as the first and only athlete to win two gold medals for two races in just 30 minutes. Her remarkable achievement has shocked the Southeast Asian athletics circle and garnered significant attention from both domestic and international media outlets.
Miracles of Track and Field
At the 32nd SEA Games, Nguyen Thi Oanh won the most gold medals for the Vietnam Sports Delegation, with four individual gold medals in the 1,500m, 5,000m, 10,000m, and 3,000m steeplechase events.
The athlete from Bac Giang province accomplished remarkable achievements by securing two gold medals in the 1,500m and 3,000m events within a time frame of around 30 minutes. With a total of four gold medals in track, she made history as the first Vietnamese athlete to claim the highest number of gold medals in a single SEA Games.
Previously, in 2019, Oanh participated in the 30th SEA Games held in the Philippines, delivering exceptional performances. She successfully defended her two gold medals from the previous SEA Games and, for the first time, claimed a gold medal in her specialized event, the 3,000m steeplechase. At the same event, Oanh set a new record for the SEA Games, completing the 3,000m race in a remarkable time of 10 minutes and 00.02 seconds. This achievement surpassed the previous record set by Rini Budiarti at the 26th SEA Games by a margin of 0.56 seconds.
In August 2018, during the 18th Asian Games held in Jakarta, Nguyen Thi Oanh made her mark in the 3,000m steeplechase event by securing a historic bronze medal for Vietnamese sports. This remarkable achievement marked the first-ever medal for Vietnam in this particular event. Clocking in at an impressive time of nine minutes and 43.83 seconds, Oanh also shattered the national record previously held by senior runner, Nguyen Thi Phuong, by a significant margin of 19.15 seconds.
The Journey of Overcoming Obstacles
Nguyen Thi Oanh was born into a farming family in Nhuan village, My Ha commune, Lang Giang district, Bac Giang province. She is the seventh child in a family of eight children.
At the age of 15, Nguyen Thi Oanh embarked on her athletic journey. When the provincial athletic team was scouting for new members, Nguyen Thi Oanh eagerly signed up for the selection process. However, her physical condition posed a challenge as she weighed less than 40kg and stood at just around one and a half meters tall. She faced the possibility of being rejected. Nonetheless, through her unwavering dedication and strong training ethic, Oanh managed to earn the trust of the coaching staff and was eventually chosen to join the national team.
In 2014, Oanh was diagnosed with kidney inflammation. She underwent treatment and had to take a break from running for about two years. The career of Vietnam's "golden legs" in track seemed to be on the verge of ending at the age of twenty. Oanh remembered her father's words of encouragement: "If you have decided to pursue a professional sports path, then keep trying and you will achieve positive results".
The encouragement from her parents, family, teachers, and friends helped Oanh overcome a very difficult time during her early twenties. Regardless of where she competes or what her results are, Oanh's parents always remain her solid support team. "We always support our child on the path she has chosen and encourage her to strive for the pride of our nation," Oanh's mother said.
Advancing the Dream of Vietnamese Track and Field
After her successful campaign at the 32nd SEA Games, Nguyen Thi Oanh joined the elite ranks of Vietnamese athletes with a total of 12 gold medals in athletics, alongside senior athlete Nguyen Thi Huyen. However, Oanh's ambitions did not stop there as she aimed to upgrade her medal collection at the upcoming 2023 Asian Games (ASIAD).
She said, "Sports require relentless effort, so after the Games, I will continue to focus on intense training with the national team. I will also take the time to reflect on my performance at the Games, learn from it, and improve by addressing my weaknesses. For example, distributing my energy effectively for each distance I run, building a stronger physical foundation to overcome upcoming international challenges".
Oanh's remarkable journey spanning the past three SEA Games serves as a testament to her unwavering commitment, resilience, and spirit in training. Beyond bringing honor to her nation, Oanh exemplifies the values of discipline and tenacity in overcoming obstacles. Her collection of gold medals serves as a powerful inspiration for Vietnamese youth, reminding them that success is born from a combination of passion, hard work, and determination.
Story: Thao Vy/VNP Photos: Nguyen Tien Tuan, Khoa Nguyen & VNA Translated by Hong Hanh