Vietnamese players regrettably absent from SEA Games 33

There are many different reasons why some of Vietnam's top sports players are absent from the 33rd SEA Games which is about to open in Thailand.

SEA GAMES CHAMPION BECOME A SPECIALIST

While her colleagues in the Vietnamese judo team eagerly awaited the day to leave for Thailand to attend the 33rd SEA Games, female martial artist Hoang Thi Tinh had to sadly stay at home. She had won the 48 kg weight class at the 31st SEA Games (2022) and 32nd SEA Games (2023), won a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics and was in good form, but Hoang Thi Tinh could not participate in the 33rd SEA Games for a "cruel" reason: host Thailand did not organize a competition in her favorite weight class. The martial artist from Thanh Hoa could not move up to the next weight class, 52 kg, as this weight class was also not organized. Not discouraged by missing the opportunity to win the SEA Games gold medal for the third consecutive time, Hoang Thi Tinh focused her determination on the 20th ASIAD taking place next year in Japan.

Female judo athlete Hoang Thi Tinh missed the chance to hunt for gold at SEA Games 33

Photo: Vuong Anh

Another unfortunate absence is female karate athlete Nguyen Thi Ngoan. A former world champion, ASIAD runner-up, Asian and SEA Games champion, Nguyen Thi Ngoan was full of hope to defend her gold medal at SEA Games 33. However, during the important preparation phase, she unfortunately suffered an injury and is expected to take nearly a year to fully recover after surgery that took place early last month. Although she was "indescribably" sad to miss the opportunity to fight alongside the Vietnamese karate team to hunt for gold at SEA Games 33, Nguyen Thi Ngoan still had some consolation when her younger sister Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly was able to attend this congress.

Most recently, the champion of the javelin throw event in the 31st SEA Games (2022) Nguyen Hoai Van had to say goodbye to the 33rd SEA Games. Unfortunately, he tore his knee ligament while training at the National Sports Training Center (HCMC), and Hoai Van could not compete with the Vietnamese athletics team.

Not attending the SEA Games to study culture

During the preparation phase for the 33rd SEA Games in the past 2 years, Vietnam athletics had high hopes for the "speed queen" Tran Thi Nhi Yen. However, this 20-year-old runner suddenly announced her retirement from her peak career to pursue her studies. Therefore, the dream of Vietnam athletics regaining its position in the women's speed category at the SEA Games arena is unlikely to come true.

The fact that SEA Games champion Ly Hoang Nam and a series of top players switched to pickleball has left Vietnamese tennis "locked" in the race for the gold medal with very strong opponents from Thailand and Indonesia. Vietnamese chess also does not have the best team for the 33rd SEA Games when No. 1 player Le Quang Liem cannot participate. Without Le Quang Liem, the chance of Vietnamese chess competing for the gold medal has decreased even though there are still excellent faces such as Le Tuan Minh and Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son.

The Vietnamese women's volleyball team had some unfortunate absences at the 33rd SEA Games when number 1 setter Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen withdrew due to personal reasons. Yesterday, top middle blocker Nguyen Thi Trinh also left the team due to health reasons and had to be replaced by young player Le Nhu Anh. These absences have reduced the Vietnamese women's volleyball team's chances of competing for the gold medal with host Thailand.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhung-tuyen-thu-viet-nam-vang-mat-dang-tiec-o-sea-games-33-18525120422115777.htm