In 2024, Bolt Event marked an important milestone when it held its first Aquathlon - a combination of swimming and running. This is one of the first grassroots Aquathlon competitions held in Vietnam.
Boosting Aquathlon's potential in Vietnam
Aquathlon is a combination sport , similar to duathlon (cycling and running) and triathlon (swimming, running and cycling). Aquathlon originated in Australia in the 1950s. Competitors have to run on the beach, swim out to sea before swimming back to a buoy-marked point. Competitors then continue running on the beach to the finish line.
This sport was introduced to Vietnam and has developed strongly in recent years. Many groups and clubs have been established to meet the needs of learning and practicing Aquathlon.
Aquathlon is a sport that combines swimming and running. (Illustration photo)
In that trend, many professional athletes have tried and switched to competing in Aquathlon or Triathlon. Vietnam Sports has had a triathlon team participating since SEA Games 30. At SEA Games 32, Aquathlon was included in the competition program. The Vietnamese team won a bronze medal in the relay event.
Realizing that potential, Mr. Duong Dinh Viet - Director of Bolt Event - is determined to promote the movement of participating in Aquathlon by organizing Aqua Warriors Ha Long Bay in mid-April. Mr. Viet will also hold the role of Head of the tournament's organizing committee.
" In recent years, the mass sports movement in general as well as running and swimming have developed very strongly. Besides the running competitions held frequently in Vietnam, there are a number of athletes who have started to get acquainted and want to challenge themselves in combined competitions (such as swimming-cycling-running and swimming-running...).
However, in reality, there are few tournaments for triathlons. The appearance of a new playground like Aqua Warriors Halong Bay will attract athletes to participate, " said Mr. Duong Dinh Viet.
Mr. Viet believes that the Aquathlon movement will be maintained and developed in the long term. Because, players do not have to invest too much in equipment. The competition format is also favorable compared to other sports in the combination group.
" Playing Aquathlon is less expensive than Triathlon because participants do not need to buy a bike and do not have to carry the bike to many places during each competition. Aquathlon for runners is a big step forward in challenging themselves to a new level, more comprehensive and more exciting, " said Mr. Viet Nam.
In addition, Aquathlon brings many health benefits, helping players train and develop comprehensively physically. Mr. Viet said: " This sport requires participants to have a balanced combination of arms (swimming) and legs (running) to achieve high results. Aquathlon helps develop comprehensive muscle groups, train strength, speed and physique ".
The head of the Aqua Warriors Ha Long Bay organizing committee assessed that beautiful beaches in Vietnam - such as Ha Long - are favorable natural conditions for further development of the Aquathlon movement.
Community Oriented
Aqua Warriors Ha Long Bay is organized with the desire to serve and create a playground for Aquathlon lovers or simply a place for everyone to exercise and challenge themselves.
The organizers of Aqua Warriors Ha Long Bay hope to convey meaningful messages to the community.
The organizers set more meaningful goals through this grassroots tournament. Mr. Duong Dinh Viet said that the tournament not only stimulates competition between individuals, but also wants to enhance the spirit of collective competition, solidarity, and one for all. To serve this goal, the organizers added team content to the competition program. This content will be more attractive because of the "colorful" competition between teams.
Not only that, Aqua Warriors Halong Bay 2024 hopes to contribute to promoting the drowning prevention movement for children. Mr. Duong Dinh Viet shared: " The Organizing Committee has included 2 competition distances for children and teenagers, Junior Aqua Warriors and Kid Aqua Warriors, to create a playground and motivation for children to practice. Through this, we also spread and stimulate the swimming practice movement - a necessary life skill for everyone, especially children" .
Aqua Warriors Halong Bay 2024 will take place on April 14 in Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province.
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