The IXth Vietnam National Games took place from December 9 to 21 and two DTU students, swimmer Nguyen Huu Kim Son and track-and-field athlete Nguyen Pham Hoai Yen broke previous records, winning gold medals in the men’s swimming and the women’s pole vault respectively.
The Vietnam National Games are held every four years and this year’s were the largest ever since their inception in 1985. The Games were primarily held Quang Ninh, with others in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Hai Duong, Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Hoa Binh and Vinh Phuc, with 10,000 athletes competing 43 events.
Swimmer Kim Son and his teammates break two records and win seven medals
Nguyen Huu Kim Son is a first year of DTU Business Administration student competing for Danang in swimming, with some impressive achievements. Previously, Kim Son had won two gold medals at the SEA Games in 2017 and 2022.
Swimmer Nguyen Huu Kim Son (fifth from left)
In the men’s 4 × 100 m and 4 × 200 m freestyle relay event, Kim Son and his teammates broke the 2018 record to win two gold medals for the Danang delegation:
- In the men’s 4 × 100 m freestyle relay in 3:25.62, breaking the 2018 record of 3:28.77
- In the men’s 4 × 200 m freestyle relay in 7:27.46, breaking the 2018 record of 7:35.95
In addition, Kim Son competed in five other swimming events and won:
- A silver medal in the men’s 4 × 100 m medley relay
- A silver medal in the men’s 1500 m freestyle
- A silver medal in the men’s 800 m
- A bronze medal in the mixed 4 × 200 m freestyle relay
- A bronze medal in the men’s 400 m freestyle
“I went to Hungary with my teammates for ninety days of training,” said Kim Son. “2022 was the biggest Games ever, so I was slightly pressured and stressed. When the competition began however, I concentrated on swimming not only for myself but also for my teammates and the rest of the Danang delegation. During training, I was unable to attend DTU, but received the full support of my lecturers and classmates, who sent me lecture materials and recordings. I could also participate in some of the other subjects online.”
Nguyen Pham Hoai Yen won a gold in the women’s pole vault
Nguyen Pham Hoai Yen is a DTU PSU Tourism & Travel Management student and won a gold medal at the Games in the 3.5 m women’s pole vault.
Nguyen Pham Hoai Yen
“I competed in the VIIIth National Games in 2018 and won a silver medal,” said Hoai Yen. “This year, I focused on training for three months to be highly rewarded for my practice and hard work. “As I said before, sports are my passion, but my ultimate objective is to become a professional tour guide. Wherever I’m training or competing, I always research details of the location to help make my dream come true. Meanwhile I am fortunate that the DTU Board of Provosts, my lecturers and classmates encourage and support me in studying and training at the same time to achieve the best possible results.”
(Media Center)