The journey of a "warrior"

TP - “When I first participated in the Tien Phong Marathon in 2010, held at Hoan Kiem Lake (Hanoi), I never thought I would go this far. But as the years passed, and I overcame each challenge, I began to understand that each step was an affirmation: That I, as a Vietnamese person, can conquer any peak with willpower and perseverance.”

These are the words shared by athlete Do Quoc Luat during his 11th participation in the 66th Tien Phong National Marathon and Long Distance Championship, which recently took place in Dong Ha city ( Quang Tri province).

The special number 10 jersey

As predicted by experts, the Army team's athlete successfully defended his championship title, marking Quoc Luat's 11th consecutive victory in the men's 10km race. "Eleven years is not just a number, it's a lifetime lived in every step," Do Quoc Luat said emotionally.

Do Quoc Luat perseveres on his journey at the Tien Phong Marathon.

The heroic land of Quang Tri is steeped in the Vietnamese people's tradition of fighting invaders and defending the country. The victory is even more meaningful for Do Quoc Luat, as his uncle bravely sacrificed his life in the resistance against the Americans, contributing to the reunification of the nation. The Hien Luong Bridge, spanning the Ben Hai River, has become a symbol of the yearning for national unity.

Few people know that behind the glory of victory, Do Quoc Luat has gone through harsh challenges. He suffered a prolonged injury, requiring treatment in various places without success, and there were times when he struggled with himself, almost giving up.

In 2024, at the 65th Tien Phong Marathon ( Phu Yen ), Do Quoc Luat considered withdrawing to focus on treatment. However, the willpower and resilience of a "warrior" helped him bounce back. Do Quoc Luat left a strong impression at that race with his sprint to the finish line, wearing a jersey with the number 10 and 143 printed on it. This represented the ship numbered 143, evoking memories of the "No Number" convoy of the Ho Chi Minh Trail at sea. The number 10 was Do Quoc Luat's goal and aspiration.

"When I wore it, the shirt gave me a lot of strength and motivation, as well as the belief that I could overcome the challenges," Do Quoc Luat shared.

Be happy with the next generation.

After the Lunar New Year in 2024, Do Quoc Luat was sent to Quang Tri for a 1.5-month training camp. This allowed him to become familiar with the weather conditions and running routes. The Army athlete only faced difficulties as he hadn't fully recovered from an injury sustained at the National Championships in Dong Nai . But once again, his willpower prevailed.

With 11 championships in the men's 10km race, Do Quoc Luat set a record that few athletes can match on the Tien Phong Marathon course. He accelerated in the final strides and crossed the finish line with a time of 30 minutes and 44 seconds, 28 seconds faster than his previous best. Upon crossing the finish line, Do Quoc Luat stopped to salute the national flag.

In the men's 10km category, Luong Duc Phuoc finished second with a time of 31 minutes 5 seconds, followed by Nguyen Quoc Anh with 31 minutes 13 seconds. In the youth 10km category, Nguyen Viet Ai and Duong Minh Hung finished with times of 31 minutes 4 seconds and 31 minutes 1 second respectively, only slightly behind Quoc Luat's performance. He said he was very happy to have a new generation of promising young athletes behind him, with the potential to break through and reach the heights of the previous generation.

VP

Source: https://tienphong.vn/hanh-trinh-cua-mot-chien-binh-post1729860.tpo