Nguyen Thi Oanh: 'Sports changed my life'

Athlete Nguyen Thi Oanh shared her emotions when speaking at the Vietnam Sports Administration's 2025 Advanced Model Conference held on the morning of June 25 in Hanoi.

Nguyen Thi Oanh at the conference on the morning of June 25 - Photo: DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

On the morning of June 25 at the Department of Physical Training and Sports , Vietnam's No. 1 track and field athlete Nguyen Thi Oanh was selected as a representative to attend and report on personal achievements at the Vietnam Department of Physical Training and Sports' Advanced Conference in 2025.

Here, Nguyen Thi Oanh gave an emotional speech, telling about her journey throughout her athletics career from childhood to adulthood.

"Although I had a chance to run since grade 4, it was not until grade 8 that I started training and competing in school and district athletics competitions. In 2010, I was selected to study at Bac Giang Sports Talent School (now Bac Giang Provincial Sports Training and Competition Center).

In 2012, I was called up to the youth athletics team at the Hanoi National Sports Training Center, now the National High-Level Athlete Training Center," Nguyen Thi Oanh began.

Oanh's career blossomed at the youth level, when she won the gold medal at the Asian Youth Championship and the silver medal at the 27th SEA Games before she turned 18.

However, while on the path of development, Nguyen Thi Oanh encountered a big shock.

"The end of 2014 and almost the whole of 2015 was a very sad time for me when I discovered I had glomerulonephritis, could not continue to train and compete, and I also missed the 28th SEA Games in Singapore," she shared.

Thanks to her determination, never-give-up spirit, and the encouragement of her family, teachers, and friends, Nguyen Thi Oanh overcame her illness and returned to the top after only 1 year.

"Returning to the national athletics team in early 2016, I cherished this opportunity more than anyone else. With proper training, I actively practiced and tried to complete the unfinished goals.

Nguyen Thi Oanh was honored for her contributions to Vietnamese sports - Photo: DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The 29th SEA Games in 2017 in Malaysia was a big turning point for me when I won 2 gold medals. This achievement not only helped me complete my mission but also gave me great motivation to continue my journey to conquer these goals," the golden girl of Vietnamese sports recounted.

Over the years, with hard training, Nguyen Thi Oanh won 12 gold medals, holding 1 SEA Games record at the 29th, 30th, 31st and 32nd SEA Games. At the national sports festivals, she won 7 gold medals, 1 silver medal, holding 4 records in the 1,500m, 5,000m, 3,000m steeplechase and 10,000m events.

Nguyen Thi Oanh was moved: "Sports have come and changed my life. They have helped me become more resilient, more courageous and more determined. They have helped me dare to face difficulties and challenges. There is no path paved with roses. I hope that young people will always be persistent, courageous and make breakthroughs on their own path, dare to dream, dare to aspire and dare to conquer."

Nguyen Thi Oanh will continue to be the golden hope of Vietnamese athletics and sports at the 33rd SEA Games taking place this December in Thailand.

NGOC LE

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nguyen-thi-oanh-the-thao-thay-doi-cuoc-doi-toi-2025062510395199.htm