'Golden' hopes for Vietnam at 28th SEA Games

The biggest hope for Vietnam at the 28th SEA Games is swimmer Nguyen Thi Anh Vien, who is participating in an overseas training course in the United States. Anh Vien has recorded impressive results against her opponents in the women's 200m and 400m medley, 400m and 800m freestyle and 200m butterfly events. According to experts, Vien can definitely bring in six gold medals for Vietnam if she performs to the best of her ability.

Vien settled for bronze in the 400m medley at the recent 2015 Arena Pro Swim Series in the US, clocking a time of 4:42.60. She also competed in many other events including the 800m freestyle (finishing fifth, 8:52.74), 200m medley (seventh, 2:19.85) and 200m freestyle (eighth, 2:01.08), which brought her valuable experience prior to the SEA Games mission. Vien's male teammates on the national team, Hoang Quy Phuoc and Tran Duy Khoi, are also expected to shine in Singapore. Both are making preparations for the Games with training courses in Japan and China respectively. Hopes are pinned on Lam Quang Nhat as well to repeat his success at the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar, where he impressed with the men's 1,500m freestyle top honour.

Gymnastics is also considered one of Vietnam's 'gold mines' at the upcoming Games, mainly thanks to the presence of top gymnast Phan Thi Ha Thanh, who has shown strength in the women's all-around, balance beam, freestyle and vault events. Ha Thanh is seen as Vietnam's 'golden girl' in this kind of sport with her stable form maintained over the past few years, attributed to constant training and a persistent spirit.

Top Vietnamese gymnast Phan Thi Ha Thanh

Thanh's teammate Dinh Phuong Thanh, who impressed with the men's parallel bars bronze medal at the 2014 Asian Games, is also named as one of the most notable faces at this year's SEA Games. According to national coach Truong Tuan Hien, Phuong Thanh - excelling on the rings, parallel bars and horizontal bar - will be able to outperform his elder Pham Phuoc Hung and runs the high possibility of approaching the world level with the proper training.

The men's gymnastics team have concluded their 20-day training course in Canada and have now arrived in Bulgaria for the 2015 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup. They will return to Vietnam on May 12 and continue training in preparation for the 28th SEA Games. Vietnamese gymnasts walked away with 12 gold medals at the 26th SEA Games in 2011 and are targeting to defend their top spot at this year's event.

Regarding athletics, the 28th SEA Games will be a chance for Quach Thi Lan and Nguyen Thi Huyen to shine in the women's events, with the absence of Vu Thi Huong and Truong Thanh Hang. Hard work made by Huyen and Lan allows home fans to believe in their brilliance in the 400m dash, 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay races. Despite experiencing an unsuccessful SEA Games two years ago, Lan is confidently looking towards the 28th SEA Games, with her spirit boosted by the 400m dash silver medal at the 2014 Asian Games in the Republic of Korea. At present, Lan and other members of the national athletics team are training in the United States to best prepare for the Games to be held in Singapore next month. On the men's side, Quach Cong Lich is expected to excel in the 400m dash in this year's SEA Games after he took top honour in this category at the recent national championships.

Medal hopes in wushu are pinned on veterans Duong Thuy Vy, Pham Quoc Khanh, Hoang Thi Phuong Giang and Tran Xuan Hiep. 2014 Asian Games champion Thuy Vy is hoped to shine in the women's sword and Qiang events, while Phuong Giang will be determined to defend the women's changquan gold medal.

Experienced marksman Hoang Xuan Vinh is expected to lead Vietnamese shooting to success at the 28th SEA Games, while rowing has its hopes pinned on 'golden girls' Pham Thi Hue and Pham Thi Thao.

With thorough preparation and promising athletes, Vietnam is looking towards a successful SEA Games in Singapore. Wins at the 28th SEA Games next month will consolidate Vietnamese athletes' spirit and determination, as well as drive them towards higher objectives and further achievements in the future including winning 2016 Olympic slots and medals at world-level competitions.

(Source: Nhandan Online)