Ho Chi Minh City sports heroes in 50 years

Athlete Le Van Cong (2nd right) and other athletes take a souvenir photo at a training session on April 18 - Photo: NVCC

In the last days of historic April, the atmosphere of excitement and pride is spreading throughout Ho Chi Minh City. The whole nation is joyfully looking forward to the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025).

Amidst the solemn army and the masses, the presence of 36 outstanding athletes of Ho Chi Minh City sports in the upcoming parade has a particularly profound meaning.

Tuoi Tre talked with two prominent faces in the delegation: legendary bodybuilder Ly Duc and athlete Le Van Cong, to listen to their thoughts, emotions and pride before this important moment.

Honored to be chosen, great happiness

Athlete Ly Duc - who has devoted his entire career to Vietnamese bodybuilding, being included in the parade is an incomparable honor.

"I am really excited and happy. This is a great celebration of the country after 50 years of the complete liberation of the South and the reunification of the country. It is a great honor for me to be chosen as the outstanding person and representative of bodybuilding to participate in the parade," Ly Duc emotionally shared.

Athlete Ly Duc is a legend of Vietnamese bodybuilding - Photo: FBNV

Ly Duc said that the 36 athletes selected to participate in the parade are the most typical faces, representing the diversity and pinnacle of Ho Chi Minh City sports in the picture of Vietnamese sports. They are those who have contributed and brought glory to the Fatherland in the international arena, including both "seniors" and talented young athletes.

Their presence in the parade is an affirmation of the position and contribution of sports in the general development of the country.

For disabled weightlifter Le Van Cong - the 2016 Paralympic champion, this honor has an even more special meaning. This is the first time he has actually participated in the official parade in such a major national event.

Previously, the athlete from Ha Tinh also had the opportunity to attend the 40th anniversary of national reunification but missed it due to scheduling conflicts.

"This is the first time I have participated in a combined military, police, and civilian parade... I feel very excited and proud," he confided.

He considers this not only a personal honor but also a source of pride for the disabled sports community. Being among the 36 outstanding athletes, representing the elite individuals of the disabled sports industry, gives him a sense of recognition and respect.

Prepare carefully for the parade

In preparation for the parade, the athletes have participated in many rigorous training sessions. Unlike focusing on skills and physical strength for individual competitions, this process requires high synchronization and discipline to integrate into a unified block.

Athlete Ly Duc described the preparation work as very large-scale, disciplined and everyone was very excited.

Le Van Cong took a souvenir photo with soldiers at the training session on April 18 - Photo: NVCC

Meanwhile, athlete Le Van Cong admitted that he was initially a bit nervous and worried about being "out of sync with his teammates". But that feeling was quickly replaced by pride when he saw the cheers and attention from people on both sides of the road during the training session on April 18.

The presence of athletes, especially disabled athletes, in the parade carries a strong message of equality and the spirit of overcoming adversity.

Mr. Cong shared that for the disabled community, this event is extremely important. "Being able to represent disabled sports, standing alongside other excellent athletes, brings more confidence and courage to me and others in the same situation," said Le Van Cong.

Ly Duc is considered the most outstanding bodybuilder of Vietnam with impressive achievements such as being ranked 4th in the world in 1999. He won the Asian gold medal for 5 consecutive years (from 1997 to 2001), 4 Southeast Asian gold medals and the gold medal at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan.

Meanwhile, athlete Le Van Cong is a monument of Vietnamese disabled sports. The greatest achievement in the career of the athlete born in 1984 is the Paralympic gold medal in Rio 2016. In addition, he also won a silver medal at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020 and a bronze medal at the Paris Paralympics in 2024.

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THANH DINH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nhung-nguoi-hung-the-thao-tp-hcm-trong-50-nam-20250420131033687.htm