Veteran overcomes adversity.

In residential area 20, Ha Giang 1 ward, there lives a man who quietly endures the changing seasons, transforming the harsh physical disabilities into strength to overcome his fate. That is Mr. Nguyen Van Phu, born in 1962, an elderly track and field athlete who possesses a collection of over 50 medals of various kinds. Watching him tirelessly sweat it out on the training field every afternoon, few would guess that this man with the gentle smile has weathered the most brutal storms of life, carrying within him a physical disability.

Stepping out of the shadows

Phu's youth was once a brilliant period filled with ambition, until a sudden accident struck. That year, young Nguyen Van Phu turned 20, full of life. However, a tragic accident caused by playing with a landmine permanently took away one of his hands, leaving the other with only two weak fingers, and also robbed him of sight in one eye. At the prime of his life, he lost almost all of his basic ability to work. Without a family of his own, he lived a solitary life. At times, the darkness of despair seemed to engulf him completely.

Athlete Nguyen Van Phu trains diligently.

But deep within his heart, the flame of life never died out. Those days of hardship, those experiences of utter helplessness, forged in him a burning desire: to stand on his own two feet. He realized that no matter how many tears he shed, they couldn't wash away the pain, and that avoidance wouldn't make life better. Recalling those turbulent years in a warm, gentle voice, yet heavy with reflection, he confided: “I used to feel incredibly ashamed, resentful of fate. But then, during sleepless nights, I realized that if I didn't save myself, no fairy godmother or godfather would appear to do it for me. If I gave up, I would become a burden to my family and society.”

His path to professional sports began late in 2003, when the Provincial Association of People with Disabilities selected athletes to participate in the National Sports Games for People with Disabilities. At that time, the concept of competitive sports was still completely unfamiliar to him. He didn't know which sport suited him, and no one had given him detailed guidance from the start. With admirable boldness, he daringly registered to compete in track and field. Recalling that audacious decision, the man in his sixties smiled serenely: "Back then, I participated not because I thought I would win a medal, but because I wanted to use running to overcome my deepest fears. Once I dared to step onto the starting line, heard the starting gun, and tried to move forward with all my remaining strength, I suddenly felt incredibly strong and free."

Two years after his entry into sports, recognizing his significant physical disadvantages on the track, and with the dedicated advice of passionate coaches, he made a pivotal decision: to switch to javelin throwing, discus throwing, and shot put. This choice seemed paradoxical, as these are sports that require strength and dexterity of the hands – qualities that fate had cruelly deprived him of. However, Phu used those very parts of his body that were most deficient to prove a miracle: Human limitations can be overcome by willpower.

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Glory comes from sweat and an iron will.

The days following his transition to a new discipline were a long series of extremely rigorous training. Holding a weight or balancing a spear, already difficult for a healthy person, now required the full force of his two remaining fingers. Phu persevered in his training to the point of losing track of time, regardless of the scorching sun of the sweltering summer afternoons or the sudden seasonal rains that chilled his disabled joints. His hands, already severely injured, were now covered in calluses and bleeding sores. There were muscle aches and dislocations that lasted for weeks at a time, yet he never once complained.

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That rare tenacity and resilience quickly paid off. As early as 2005, he excelled, winning two Silver medals in javelin throw and shot put, and one Bronze medal in discus throw. These were his first national medals, a brilliant milestone marking the beginning of a veteran's journey who never bowed his head.

Since then, it seems that every year he competes, he brings glory to his province. His collection continues to grow with proud milestones: In 2014, he excellently won 1 Gold Medal in javelin throw, 1 Silver Medal in shot put, and 1 Bronze Medal in discus throw. Throughout 2022, 2023, and 2024, he consistently maintained his form with 1 Silver Medal and 1 Bronze Medal at the national championships. Most recently, at the 2026 National Para Athletics and Weightlifting Championships, even at the age of 64, he still persistently brought home 2 Silver Medals (javelin throw, shot put) and 1 Bronze Medal (discus throw).

More than 50 medals of various sizes are carefully cleaned and respectfully stored in a small cabinet in the corner of his house, gleaming with the light of extraordinary willpower. They are the most vivid proof of thousands of hours of sweat and tears. Speaking about her colleague and senior in the team, Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai – an officer of the Provincial Association for the Protection of Disabled People and Orphans – said with pride and admiration: “Although Mr. Phu is elderly, he is very talented. He is extremely diligent and has an excellent grasp of techniques. When he goes onto the field to compete, he always maintains a calm and steady mindset, so his results have consistently been high over the years.”

To achieve those "sweet fruits" of their labor, behind the glamour lies an immense amount of hardship. Disabled athletes don't have the opportunity to train continuously year-round. They are only called up for short periods when a competition is approaching. This limited time forces them to push their training intensity to the maximum, putting immense pressure on their already fragile bodies. Especially at over 60 years old, maintaining endurance and recovering from injuries requires an iron will. Yet, every time he falls, he gets back up. After each painful experience, he finds himself stronger and calmer.

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Amidst the sometimes noisy and hurried pace of everyday life, the figure of an elderly man, living alone in a small neighborhood, quietly makes his way to the training ground. Nguyen Van Phu's life is a beautiful song, not one of boasting or showing off, but one that gently touches people's hearts with his resilience and patience. He proves to us that even a body with many scars can build a healthy, complete, and proud life.

Giang Lam

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/the-thao-giai-tri/202606/lao-tuong-vuot-nghich-canh-e5607ac/