SEA Games champion sheds tears as she dedicates her gold medal to her late father.

Competing in the SEA Games for the first time without his father, Khanh Phong still excelled, winning the gold medal in the rings and tearfully saying that the medal was a gift he sent to his deceased father.

Nguyen Van Khanh Phong (center) with his gold medal on December 11 - Photo: Coach Truong Minh Sang

On the afternoon of December 11th, in the rings event of gymnastics at the 33rd SEA Games, Nguyen Van Khanh Phong of the Vietnamese team excellently won the gold medal.

This is not the first time he has won at a SEA Games. Even within Southeast Asia, no athlete is strong enough to surpass him in the rings event.

But this is the first time in his life he's participated in the SEA Games without his father, Mr. Nguyen Van Huy, by his side.

During both the 31st (2022) and 32nd (2023) SEA Games, Mr. Huy always accompanied his son.

But last September, he passed away suddenly while in Hanoi to cheer on Khanh Phong at the National Gymnastics Championships. His sudden death left a huge void in the heart of the athlete born in 2001.

Khanh Phong poses for a photo with his father Huy after winning the gold medal at the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia - Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

Nevertheless, he made an effort to overcome the pain. On the afternoon of December 11th, in the rings event at the 33rd SEA Games, Khanh Phong competed with great composure and convincingly won the gold medal.

In that moment of victory, he couldn't hold back his tears as he thought of his father.

"My father has always been by my side during the most difficult times. When I failed, it was he who encouraged me to get back on my feet. Thanks to him, I am where I am today, and I have won these gold medals."

In the two previous SEA Games I participated in, my father was always present in the stands. This year he's no longer here, but I can still feel his presence in my heart...

"This medal is even more precious than the first time I won the championship, because it's a gift I'm giving to my father. Thank you so much, Dad!", he shared emotionally.

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DUC KHUE

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nha-vo-dich-sea-games-roi-le-danh-tang-hcv-cho-nguoi-cha-qua-co-20251211213556595.htm