Perseverance, enthusiastic practice
Without modern facilities like large sports centers, but every day, under the dedicated guidance of coaches, Son La track and field athletes still diligently practice physical and technical exercises, from long-distance running to speed exercises on the field; on average, runners must maintain a training distance of 40km - 100km/week.
The athletes selected for the team are very young, many of them come from remote villages and have to overcome homesickness and the lack of family affection. However, with their will to succeed, they are always persistent and enthusiastic in practicing and pursuing a professional sports career.
A typical example is athlete Ca To Uyen, who has been with the team since 2015. Uyen confided: There were times when I was very tired and wanted to give up because of the high training intensity and great pressure. But with the encouragement and motivation of the teachers, seeing the teachers and friends trying to practice regardless of sunny or rainy days, I felt more motivated. I always remember what my teachers told me: Success does not come to lazy people, those who do not have goals and lack the will to strive, that helped me to rise up. I have won many gold, silver and bronze medals in domestic and international competitions.
With a tight training schedule, continuous competition, along with the pressure of achievement, high intensity of exercise, injuries are inevitable. However, with timely medical support from doctors and nurses of Vietnam Sports Hospital and coaches, along with strong will, athletes strive to recover, persistently practice physical therapy to soon return to training and competition. Athlete Luong Thi Hong Diem shared: There were times when I was seriously injured, thinking about having to give up my passion. But thinking about the efforts of teachers, the expectations of family, but the moment standing on the podium to receive the medal urged me to try to practice recovery, determined not to give up.
Coach Lo Thi Hang, who has been with the Son La Athletics Team for more than 20 years, proudly said: Most of the female athletes have talent and physical strength. However, the most important thing is the will to practice and compete. The coaching staff always creates the best environment for the students to practice physical strength and technique, while cultivating sportsmanship. Seeing them grow up every day, surpassing themselves, is the greatest happiness for a coach.
The mark of Son La athletics
With the dedicated efforts of athletes and the investment attention of the province, Son La athletics has continuously achieved many impressive achievements, not only domestically but also in the international arena.
Typically, at the 31st SEA Games held in Vietnam in 2022, athlete Lo Thi Hoang excellently won the Gold Medal in the women's javelin throw and broke the 17-year-old SEA Games record, with a result of 56m37. This is a historic milestone, bringing glory to Son La sports and Vietnamese athletics. At the 2023 National Youth Athletics Championship, the Son La delegation also made its mark with the achievement of athlete Ca To Uyen excellently winning the Gold Medal and breaking the national record in the women's javelin throw, with a result of 48m20.
Notably, at the 2025 National Youth Athletics Championship held in Lai Chau province, the Son La delegation won 10 medals, including 4 gold medals, 5 silver medals and 1 bronze medal, ranking 8th out of 65 participating delegations. Son La athletes broke many national records, including the record for the women's mixed relay event in the distances of 1,200m - 400m - 800m - 1,200m, and the javelin throw events for men and women of the U18 age group.
Athletes Luong Thi Hong Diem, women's 500gr javelin thrower and Hoang Nhat Anh, men's 700gr javelin thrower are two outstanding faces, winning Gold Medals. At the same time, they broke the national record in the U18 javelin thrower event. These achievements show the remarkable growth of Son La athletics on the national youth sports map.
Mr. Ho Minh Son, Director of the Son La Province Sports Training and Competition Center, said: The Center identifies athletics as a key sport of the province. Although there are many difficulties in terms of funding and facilities, with the spirit of enthusiasm, the Board of Directors and all staff and coaches always strive to create conditions for the children to develop their abilities. The breakthroughs of the children, especially the breaking of records, are the result of a long-term investment process and tireless dedication.
With thorough investment, perseverance and the unceasing will to improve of the athletes, Son La athletics is gradually asserting its position. The medals and records that have been continuously set are symbols of the spirit of perseverance, ready to conquer new heights, contributing to the overall success of Vietnamese sports.
Source: https://baosonla.vn/the-thao/dien-kinh-son-la-no-luc-but-pha-erdCvHQNR.html
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