The poor family background of the 'golden girl' of diving at SEA Games 32

Cao Thi Duyen from Thanh Hoa , an athlete who won three gold and two silver medals in diving at the 32nd SEA Games, was born into difficult circumstances, with her father working as a stone quarry worker and her mother tilling the fields and weaving baskets every day.

Athlete Cao Thi Duyen receives gold medal at SEA Games 32. Photo provided by family. — Athlete Cao Thi Duyen won a gold medal at the 32nd SEA Games.

The small house of athlete Cao Thi Duyen's family at the end of Quy Tan village, Cam Quy commune, Cam Thuy mountainous district, has been filled with laughter these past few days. Many neighbors, hearing the news of Duyen's high achievement at the 32nd SEA Games, came to share their joy with the "golden girl".

The small house, about 30 square meters in size, perched precariously on a steep hillside, contained no valuable possessions. On the limestone walls, where traces of unplastered mortar were still visible, hung numerous certificates and medals belonging to Cao Thi Duyen.

Mr. Cao Van Ky (45 years old), Duyen's father, said that he and his wife were not surprised but extremely proud of their daughter's achievement at the 32nd SEA Games.

Mr. Ky, who works as a stone quarry worker 30 km from home, had just returned to his village to attend the funeral of his uncle, right when his daughter was competing in Cambodia. According to Muong customs, television should not be turned on when a relative has passed away, so the family did not watch the SEA Games programs, nor did they regularly update themselves on their daughter's achievements.

Pointing to the old, broken television, Mr. Ky said that neither he nor his wife had smartphones, so they didn't know Duyen's results. It wasn't until neighbors informed them and the coach called to congratulate them that the family learned their daughter had brilliantly won three gold and two silver medals. "My family is truly living in happy days...", Mr. Ky said, adding that his daughter said she was coming home soon, and relatives were eagerly awaiting her arrival. The father said that despite the difficulties, he would definitely slaughter a pig to treat the neighbors this time.

Mr. Cao Van Ky and his wife proudly show off their daughter's achievements. Photo: Lam Son — Mr. Cao Van Ky and his wife proudly show off their daughter's achievements. Photo: *Lam Son*

Speaking of his daughter, Mr. Ky pointed to the rough stone wall covered with medals and certificates, his voice filled with pride as he recounted her arduous journey. Mr. and Mrs. Ky lived in a mountainous region, facing very difficult circumstances. Every day, he worked as a laborer in the surrounding stone quarries, while his wife, Mrs. Quang, was busy with farming, and in her free time, she wove baskets to earn extra income. Cao Thi Duyen's childhood was spent with her elderly grandmother.

According to relatives, from a young age, Duyen showed exceptional abilities compared to her peers in the village due to her love of swimming. During the summer, she would often go to the lake near her house to compete in swimming races and cool off. Every time she won against her friends, Duyen would run home to brag to her grandmother. Many times, fearing she might drown, Mr. and Mrs. Ky scolded and tried to dissuade their daughter from swimming, but "no matter how much we forbade it, it was no use, because she loved the water so much."

In 2011, a turning point came in the life of this Muong girl when her talent was discovered. At the Thanh Hoa Provincial Phu Dong Sports Festival, Duyen excelled, winning first place in swimming. In 2012, at the young age of 10, Duyen officially became a swimmer at the Thanh Hoa Provincial Sports Training and Competition Center.

According to Mr. Ky, he and his wife were very worried when their daughter left home to train in the city. "Our daughter was so young, and many times when I saw my wife crying because she missed her, I also teared up. But because I wanted her to have a better future, I held back my tears and advised my wife to try to encourage her so she could focus on training," Mr. Ky recalled.

The small house of Cao Thi Oanh's family. Photo: Lam Son — The small house of Cao Thi Oanh's family. Photo: *Lam Son*

At the training center, Duyen was trained in swimming. However, during training, the coaching staff discovered that she had Hepatitis B. Duyen faced the risk of having to end her career, as swimming is more strenuous and unsuitable for someone with the disease. At this most difficult time, Coach Pham Tuan Anh, Duyen's direct coach, helped her switch to diving, as this sport allows athletes to use snorkels and fins for support. From there, Duyen's career began a new chapter. She continuously achieved success at a very young age.

Shortly after switching to diving, Cao Thi Duyen won two gold medals and broke two national records at the 2015 age group championships. A year later, Duyen continued to win a gold medal at the national youth championships. In 2017, at the age of 16, Duyen won three gold medals and broke a record at the national championships, while also winning two gold medals at the Asian Youth Championships.

Notably, at the 2018 National Sports Games, Duyen won one gold medal and two silver medals, breaking a Games record. In 2020 and 2021, Cao Thi Duyen maintained her winning streak, securing two gold medals at the national championships. In 2022, she continued her medal winning streak with two gold medals at the SEA Games 31; three gold medals and three silver medals at the National Sports Games, breaking two Games records.

The lake in Én village is where Cao Thị Duyên learned to swim when she was a child. Photo: Lam Sơn — The lake in Én village is where Cao Thị Duyên learned to swim when she was a child. Photo: *Lam Sơn*

Coach Pham Tuan Anh said that Duyen developed a sense of independence quite early due to the nature of being a professional athlete living far from her family. Besides training and competing, she is currently a student majoring in sports management at Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism . He also affirmed that Duyen's goal at the SEA Games 32 has been achieved, but professional sports are very demanding, so he always reminds Duyen to continue striving to conquer new heights in other important tournaments.

"It's a pity that diving is only organized at the SEA Games and at most the Asian Championships, and hasn't been included in the Asian Games or the Olympics. Hopefully, one day this sport will receive more attention so that athletes like Duyen have the opportunity to showcase themselves in bigger arenas...", said coach Pham Tuan Anh.

The impoverished family background of the gold medalist in diving at the 32nd SEA Games. — The house is filled with medals and certificates of merit belonging to athlete Cao Thi Duyen. Video: *Lam Son*

At the 32nd SEA Games, Cao Thi Duyen excelled, winning 3 gold medals in diving events: 4x200m women's finswimming relay; 4x100m women's finswimming relay; and 100m women's double finswimming. She also won 2 silver medals in the 50m women's individual finswimming and 4x50m mixed relay events. This is the highest achievement and a record for Thanh Hoa sports achieved by an athlete at a single SEA Games.

Le Hoang

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