Continuing to affirm his talent and outstanding performance at the 2024 National Swimming and Diving Championships, swimmer Nguyen Huu Kim Son, a DTU student, brought home five medals for Da Nang's sports delegation: two golds, one silver, and two bronzes.
The 2024 National Swimming and Diving Championships, an annual event hosted by the Vietnam Aquatic Sports Association and the Da Nang Department of Culture and Sports, took place from October 10 to 20, 2024, at the Hai Chau District Swimming and Diving Club in Da Nang. This championship is the most significant event in the competition system of the Vietnam Aquatic Sports Association.
Kim Son (second from the right on podium 1) receives a gold medal in the 4x200m men's freestyle relay
This year’s championship attracted nearly 300 athletes from 23 sports delegations nationwide. The swimming competition saw 18 teams with over 120 athletes competing in six categories:
- Freestyle,
- Breaststroke,
- Backstroke,
- Butterfly,
- Individual medley, and
- Relay swimming.
The diving competition featured 18 teams with over 160 athletes competing in six categories:
- Speed diving,
- Equipment diving,
- Dual-fin diving,
- Relay diving, and
- Monofin diving.
In swimming, the Da Nang delegation competed in all events, with Nguyen Huu Kim Son being one of the key athletes participating in four events:
- Men’s freestyle,
- Relay swimming,
- Individual medley, and
- Breaststroke.
Kim Son (far left) takes a commemorative photo with athletes from Da Nang’s sports delegation
Exemplifying talent, resilience, and effort in each event, Kim Son achieved impressive results:
- Two gold medals in the men's 4x100m medley relay and the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay,
- One silver medal in the men’s 100m breaststroke, and
- Two bronze medals in the men’s 50m breaststroke and the mixed-gender 4x100m medley relay.
In the men's 4x100m medley relay, Kim Son competed alongside Hoang Quy Phuoc, Nguyen Ngoc Trien, and Nguyen Viet Tuong. The four athletes showcased exceptional teamwork and determination to claim the prestigious gold medal.
Kim Son shared: “Earlier, at the national swimming championship in Hue in March 2024, I teamed up with Quy Phuoc and other teammates to win gold in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay. This time, the synergy between us was even more evident in every stroke, helping us achieve the best results. Additionally, the youthful energy of Viet Tuong and the extraordinary swimming prowess of Ngoc Trien strengthened the team and allowed us to perform exceptionally well.”
Regular training enables Kim Son to maintain excellent physical fitness for both competitions and academics
While competing in the championships, Kim Son was also taking end-of-term exams at DTU. However, his teammates from Da Nang’s sports delegation and his professors at DTU offered full support, enabling him to excel in both academics and athletics.
“One of the advantages of this year’s championship was that it was held in Da Nang, the city where I study and live, so I didn’t have to spend time traveling. This gave me more time to train and increased my confidence in the competition. I’m quite satisfied with my results and my team’s performance. What I cherish most is the overwhelming support from my university lecturer, MSc Dang Thien Tam of the School of Business & Economics (SBE), and my classmates. Their enthusiasm motivated me to perform my best in this competition and strive even harder in future seasons,” Kim Son said enthusiastically.
With a strong spirit of determination and a serious commitment to his studies, Nguyen Huu Kim Son has demonstrated an ability to balance his sports career and academic pursuits. His achievements not only bring pride to himself but also contribute to Da Nang’s sports delegation, adding to its record of accomplishments in major competitions over the years.
Kim Son’s Medal Achievements Over the Years:
- SEA Games 32: 1 gold, 1 silver
- SEA Games 31: 1 gold, 2 silvers
- SEA Games 30: 1 silver, 2 bronzes
- SEA Games 29: 1 gold, 1 bronze
- 9th National Sports Games: 2 golds, 3 silvers, 2 bronzes
- 2024 National Short Course Swimming Championships: 2 golds
- 2024 National Swimming and Diving Championships: 2 golds, 1 silver, 2 bronzes.
(Media Center)