The journey to conquer glory

In early July, in Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Trong Phuc (14 years old, Hoa Thanh ward) officially signed a contract to train and be a member of the national youth weightlifting team. This is a special milestone, not only for Phuc and his family, but also for high-performance sports in Ca Mau.

• Bac Lieu wins 20 medals at the 2025 National Youth Weightlifting Championship.
• A promising face in Vietnam's young weightlifting scene.
• Weightlifters from Ca Mau break national record in men's 88 kg category.

Nguyen Trong Phuc during a weightlifting training session at the Can Tho National Sports Training Center.

Driven by passion...

Nguyen Trong Phuc is the youngest of two brothers in a family where both parents are civil servants. From a young age, Phuc developed a strong sense of independence. His mother, Lu Thuy Diem, recalled: “On days when we were busy with work, Phuc would stay home and take care of himself. Not only that, Phuc was also lively, humorous, and confident in front of crowds, often offering clever counterarguments that surprised the whole family.”

From preschool age, Phuc participated in many activities such as fashion shows, character dressing, storytelling, and modeling, and was always loved by her teachers and friends. In primary school, she consistently received the title of "Good Child of Uncle Ho" and achieved excellent academic results.

However, upon entering middle school – an age of significant psychological and physiological changes – due to a lack of strict family supervision, Phuc gradually became addicted to video games, his academic performance declined, and he only achieved average grades. His parents were worried and anxious, hoping to find a new path for their son that would both develop his talents and keep him away from bad habits.

So, in the summer of 2022, Phuc's parents took him to the Ca Mau Sports Training and Competition Center to register for badminton classes. There, he coincidentally met coach Truong Anh Tuan, who was in charge of weightlifting. Seeing that Phuc had a healthy physique and suitable physical condition, Coach Tuan suggested that he try this sport. "Initially, the family thought it was just a fun experience for their son. But after a few training sessions, Phuc became passionate about it, despite the aches and pains in his body," shared Ms. Thuy Diem.

Nguyen Trong Phuc shared his joy with his mother about the achievements he has made on his journey to pursue his passion.

From his initial clumsy movements, Phuc became increasingly enthusiastic and determined with each practice session. Soon after, during the annual selection test for key talent athletes organized by the Ca Mau Sports Training and Competition Center, Phuc passed and was selected for the key talent team. This marked a turning point that began Phuc's journey in weightlifting.

When Phúc received the news that he had been accepted and was preparing to go to Can Tho City for training, his parents were proud, but his grandparents on both sides couldn't help but worry. A 12-year-old boy having to leave his family and pursue a strenuous sport with the potential for injury—who wouldn't feel sorry for him?

Nevertheless, because of Phuc's intense passion, his family supported him in pursuing his dreams. In the early days away from home, Phuc felt bewildered and disheartened when he saw some friends give up because they missed home. Every time he called, his mother would remind him: "Be persistent, the whole family is always by your side!" At times, his sister Thuy Diem traveled all the way from Ca Mau to encourage and give him strength to overcome the difficulties in training and the homesickness.

At the Can Tho National Sports Training Center, Phuc studied the 9th grade curriculum while also training and practicing discipline such as doing his own laundry, cleaning, adhering to schedules, and eating a proper diet. His family also regularly sent him boxes of milk and familiar foods to help him stay healthy and motivated to strive for success.

Sharing his passion, Phuc confided: "I truly love weightlifting because every time I successfully lift a new weight, I feel like I'm surpassing myself. Even when I'm tired or sore, I still want to train more to be better than yesterday."

Trong Phuc (second from the left) discusses training methods with his fellow trainees and friends at the center after training.

...Up to 3 national medals

After more than two years of training, Phuc has made remarkable progress. At the 2025 National Youth Weightlifting Championship held in Dak Lak province, he excelled, winning two Silver medals and one Bronze medal. Sharing his feelings about standing on the podium to receive the award, Phuc said emotionally: “At that moment, I immediately thought of my parents, teachers, and everyone around me who have always supported me. This achievement is just the beginning; I will try even harder to be worthy of everyone's trust and love.”

That joy wasn't just shared by his family; his teachers, friends, and neighbors all erupted in excitement when a teenager from Ca Mau shone brightly on the national stage.

Nguyen Trong Phuc won a Silver Medal at the National Youth Weightlifting Championship in April 2025. (Photo provided by the subject).

Both of his coaches, Ms. Duong Thi Bich Tuyen, national team coach, and Mr. Tran Duc Nghia, national youth team coach, commented: "Right from the first training session, Phuc showed rare talent. He was quick in his movements, could handle the workload well, and especially displayed a strong sense of discipline and seriousness."

At 14, Phuc has a well-proportioned physique, toned muscles, and inner strength. Technically, he learns quickly, usually needing only a few adjustments to perform correctly. Mentally, he is not afraid of pressure and knows how to turn challenges into motivation.

While the family has high expectations for Phuc's athletic achievements, they also constantly remind him about his studies. "We hope he maintains his passion and discipline, while also not forgetting his academics to build a foundation for the future," Thuy Diem expressed.

For the province's sports sector, the selection of a Ca Mau teenager to the national team is a welcome sign. It demonstrates that the local weightlifting movement has begun to yield results, raising hopes that Ca Mau can contribute more to Vietnam's high-performance sports.

To progress further, Trong Phuc needs to continue training with intensive programs, maintain a professional attitude, and adhere to strict discipline. In addition, he also needs support in terms of nutrition, equipment, and opportunities to compete in domestic and international competitions. Speaking about his aspirations, Trong Phuc expressed: “My goal is to win a national gold medal soon, and then compete in international competitions. I want to bring glory to my family, my province, and my country.”

Phuc and the athletes participate in a flag-raising ceremony at the center – a place that nurtures the dreams, spirit, and willpower of young people. (Photo provided by the subject.)

Nguyen Trong Phuc's story exemplifies the importance of discovering and nurturing young talent. Thanks to proper guidance and support, Nguyen Trong Phuc has become a new hope for Vietnamese weightlifting. Behind this success lies the quiet support of his family, the dedicated guidance of his teachers, and above all, his own unwavering determination.

The road ahead is certainly still full of challenges, but with the foundation he has, Phuc can absolutely write new and brilliant chapters, not only for himself and his family, but also for Ca Mau sports and the country.

Vu Tran

Source: https://baocamau.vn/hanh-trinh-chinh-phuc-vinh-quang-a122256.html