Renewal strategy and positive signals
After failing to achieve the top position at the 32nd SEA Games (12 gold medals, 4 less than Thailand), Vietnamese athletics realized the need to renew its force. From the beginning of 2024, the leaders of the sports industry and the athletics department implemented a strategy to build a young force. About 10 international tours were organized to hone the competitive spirit of young athletes. Initially, this strategy brought positive results with the breakthrough of many potential faces such as: Tran Thi Nhi Yen (100m, 200m), Le Thi Tuyet Mai, Ta Ngoc Tuong (400m hurdles), Le Ngoc Phuc (400m), Bui Thi Kim Anh, Duong Thi Thao (high jump), Bui Thi Ngan (800m, 1,500m).
Vietnamese athletics representatives performed very well at the Hong Kong Open Athletics Championships in early May.
In addition, the team also creates healthy internal competition to promote the achievements of the pillars. For example, the 100m hurdles event is witnessing a comparison of parameters between two hopes Huynh Thi My Tien and Bui Thi Nguyen. The return of Le Tien Long (31st SEA Games gold medalist) in the 5,000m and 3,000m hurdles also motivates teammate Nguyen Trung Cuong. The number 1 hope is still the "track and field queen" Nguyen Thi Oanh - the girl expected to continue to shine in long distance running.
Dual challenges and goals
At the 33rd SEA Games, Vietnamese athletics was assigned a target of at least 12 gold medals, while also introducing new faces. This is a challenging dual goal. The 2025 Asian Athletics Championships (taking place from May 27 in South Korea) is considered a "useful test" and an important "stepping stone" before heading to the 33rd Southeast Asian Games. The coaching staff does not put too much pressure on achievements at the Asian tournament, but mainly allows athletes to compete and gain experience.
One of the biggest difficulties is the limited number of coaches and the difficulty in hiring foreign experts. Mr. Nguyen Duc Nguyen - in charge of athletics, Vietnam Sports Department, said: many young athletes have stagnated when joining the national team due to lack of specialized training. In addition, the current facilities cannot immediately meet the requirements of foreign experts. However, according to the latest information, it is expected that the team will soon have foreign experts with the goal not only at the 33rd SEA Games but also at Asian-level tournaments.
The challenge for Vietnamese athletics also comes from its competitor - Thailand. The host of the 33rd SEA Games has invested heavily in athletics over the past two years, with athletes constantly training and competing internationally. The appearance of 18-year-old "prodigy" Puripol Boonson at the 31st SEA Games (2022), at only 16 years old, broke the Games record in the men's 200m event and won gold medals in both the 100m and 200m, even setting new national records in both distances, is clear evidence of the strong rise of this country.
Not to mention some countries that may use imported athletes, especially "hot spots" like the Philippines with Filipino-American Eric Cray (men's 400m hurdles) who has won many SEA Games gold medals and regularly competes in Asian arenas or Kristina Knott (women's 100m, 200m). This is the fierce competition that Vietnamese athletics must take into account.
The 2025 Asian Athletics Championships are seen as a "useful test" and an important "stepping stone" before heading towards the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
Determination and long-term vision
Despite facing many challenges, Vietnamese athletics is determined to make its mark at the 33rd SEA Games. To achieve the set goal, since the beginning of January 2025, 70 athletes have gathered at 5 national sports training centers. Key event teams such as the women's 400m, 400m hurdles and women's 4x400m relay have been invested in long-term, not only for the SEA Games but also towards the 2026 ASIAD.
Head coach Tran Van Sy said: the coaching staff is making every effort to help the athletes achieve the best physical condition. Despite the absence of veteran faces such as Nguyen Thi Huyen and Bui Thi Thu Thao, Vietnamese athletics welcomes the return of Vu Thi Ngoc Ha and hopes that Quach Thi Lan will replace Nguyen Thi Huyen in the women's 400m and women's 4x400m relay.
In particular, the Vietnam Athletics Federation is developing a separate project to invest in developing Vietnamese athletics towards 2035, with a vision to 2045, with the specific goal of maintaining second and first place at the SEA Games, striving for ASIAD gold medals and Olympic-standard athletes. Finding funding to build a specialized training center for athletics is also one of the top priorities.
The 33rd SEA Games is not only a medal competition but also a measure of Vietnam's athletics development strategy in the future. With careful preparation, determination and aspiration, Vietnam's athletics can completely create surprises and affirm its position in the regional arena.
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Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/dien-kinh-viet-nam-thu-thach-lon-quyet-tam-cao-20250602152213111.htm
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