The journey to escape the limelight of the only Olympia Champion who did not study abroad

According to the rules of the Road to Olympia program, the contestant who wins the laurel wreath in the final round of the year will receive a prize of 35,000 USD (more than 800 million VND). This is also the total cost for 4 years of studying in Australia.

Among the Olympia champions, up to 17 people chose to study abroad at Swinburne University of Technology. Only Tran The Trung (23 years old) - Champion of the Road to Olympia 2019 contest decided not to study abroad, but chose to study in Vietnam.

Tran The Trung (Nghe An) won the Road to Olympia contest in 2019 (Photo: NVCC) — Tran The Trung ( Nghe An ) won the Road to Olympia 2019 contest (Photo: NVCC)

Decision to withdraw study abroad application

In 2019, Tran The Trung was the first student from Nghe An to become the Champion of the Road to Olympia competition. The moment he received the laurel wreath, tears kept flowing down the champion's face.

"Finally, I got to stand on the Olympia stage, which was also my (late) sister's wish. I have fulfilled my dream. Thank you for always inspiring me," Trung cried after completing the last question of the Finish Line section.

With the door to studying abroad wide open, many people believe The Trung will follow in the footsteps of other champions to go to Australia to "join the army" at Swinburne University.

However, shortly after, he surprised the public when he decided to withdraw his application to Swinburne and chose to enroll at RMIT University Vietnam. Trung paid the tuition fee with the prize money from Road to Olympia worth 35,000 USD.

"I used to study Graphic Design at Swinburne University, but due to the impact of COVID-19, I had to study online for a semester. After that, I realized it was not suitable, so I decided to stop. Many people expressed regret about this decision, but I do not regret it, because I still have unfinished plans in Vietnam and want to follow through," Trung shared about his decision.

Champion of Road to Olympia 2019. (Photo: Trang Nhung)

Admitting that he is still a child and is eager to explore the outside world , that is both an advantage that helps Trung to be open and creative, but also poses challenges in building his personal image and speaking on social networks. Having once responded frankly to controversial opinions about not studying abroad, the 23-year-old man has now gained many experiences.

“The positive public view after Olympia is an opportunity, but I don’t want to be confined to the title of Champion. I’m just a young person finding my way, with struggles, failures and choices like many of my peers. The audience’s expectations invisibly create too big a stereotype, making me feel pressured,” Trung said.

The Trung affirmed that all experiences are valuable lessons, helping him to mature and become more aware of his influence in public. After the fall, the former Olympia champion became calmer, choosing to take a step back to reflect before expressing his opinion.

Shogi, calligraphy and graphic design

Most of The Trung's current life is focused on developing three favorite fields: Shogi (Japanese chess), calligraphy and graphic design.

Trung has completed his graduation project in Creative Applied Design at RMIT University Vietnam and is in the process of choosing an internship unit. Design has been his favorite subject since his high school years, because this field combines logical thinking with creativity, creating products with visual value and positive influence on the community.

In addition to studying, Trung is the Vice President of the Vietnam Shogi Club. For him, Shogi is not only a hobby but also a “side job”, providing a source of income to support himself. Trung aims to develop the Shogi movement in Vietnam through regular meetings and community outreach activities.

The Trung (right) raises the Vietnamese flag at the new Shogi Assembly Hall - Japan (Photo: NVCC)

Unlike other champions, The Trung is passionate about studying calligraphy and Han Nom. He has been persistently teaching himself calligraphy for the past 3-4 years, practicing outside of school hours to perfect his skills. His love for traditional culture and desire to preserve national values are also the driving forces that keep Trung in his hometown.

Outside of school hours, the RMIT male student entertains himself by playing basketball. Possessing an IELTS 8.0 certificate, Trung once translated the 3x3 basketball competition rules issued by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), and participated in running many large-scale tournaments in Hanoi such as the Hanoi Basketball Championship, the Hanoi Student 3x3 Basketball Tournament and the National Student Basketball Tournament.

Six years have passed, and The Trung is trying to escape the "halo" of the Road to Olympia 2019 champion, find his own path, and prove his abilities through social activities. Trung calls it a "true" life, pursuing appropriate values instead of following other people's expectations.

"I hope the community has a more tolerant and understanding view of Olympia contestants - young people with their own dreams and choices. They are all on their own journey, and deserve to be respected for that," the former Olympia champion in 2019 confided.

LINH NHI

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/hanh-trinh-thoat-anh-hao-quang-cua-quan-quan-olympia-duy-nhat-khong-du-hoc-ar984595.html