The flame of aspiration of rower Pham Thi Hue

VHO - At the age of 35, when many athletes have chosen to stop to focus on training or other jobs, rower Pham Thi Hue – a mother of two – still diligently dedicates herself to the national rowing team, as resilient as a never-extinguishing "flame".

She achieved a remarkable feat by qualifying for the Olympics for the third time.

In the Vietnamese sports world, Hue is admired not only for her achievement of qualifying for the Olympics three times – a rare feat for any athlete – but also for her patriotic spirit and unwavering dedication to her country.

Having started rowing relatively late, Hue was quickly captivated by the training sessions under the sun and wind on the river, and from then on, she considered it an integral part of her life. Although the years have passed, her skin has tanned by the sun and wind, her hands are calloused, and her shoulders bear the marks of hardship, for Hue, rowing has become her purpose in life, her lifelong love, and the passion she dedicates herself to.

Pham Thi Hue is accustomed to the hardships of rowing, enduring rain and sun.

Her love for the sport extends beyond the races, merging with her personal life. From marrying a fellow athlete to returning to training after giving birth to her first child, and then to rejoining the team as a pillar and mentor for younger athletes after welcoming her second, she has consistently served as their guiding force. There were times when her husband and two young children had to rent a house near the team's training ground just to be close to her during the short time after training.

For single athletes, each SEA Games, Asian Games, or international competition medal is the result of a long and arduous training journey, but for a mother of two, that hardship is multiplied many times over. Yet Hue has never given up.

She shared, "I will train and compete until I no longer have the strength to do so." That determined smile is proof of her unwavering belief: competition is patriotism, and patriotism is competition.

The veteran rower looks feminine in her traditional Vietnamese dress.

Throughout her career, Pham Thi Hue has won dozens of medals at all levels, along with many prestigious state awards. But above all, the most valuable thing is her example of willpower, determination, and silent sacrifice for Vietnamese sports. Hue is not only the pride of her family and rowing community, but also a beautiful image of a female athlete who always puts the country above all else, inspiring future generations.

Despite her age, Hue remains full of enthusiasm and dedication to national sports. She was honored to be one of the outstanding delegates attending the National Emulation Congress of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. This will be a motivation for Hue to continue training, competing, and achieving many more accomplishments, starting with the 33rd SEA Games, to be held in Thailand in December.

(Implemented by the Personnel and Organization Department, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/ngon-lua-khat-vong-cua-tay-cheo-pham-thi-hue-169461.html