Quách Thị Lan and the gold medal of courage

Quách Thị Lan is happy with the 400m women's fence. Photo: Trọng Hiếu

After a long and arduous journey, Quách Thị Lan finally reaped the well-deserved rewards. At the age of 30, the Vietnamese track and field athlete brilliantly won the Gold Medal in the women's 400m hurdles at the 33rd SEA Games with a time of 56.82 seconds, affirming her number one position in the region.

This victory marks Lan's first individual gold medal at the SEA Games, and also a spectacular comeback after the ups and downs of her career.

In 2022, at the 31st SEA Games on home soil, Quách Thị Lan won gold medals in the 400m hurdles and the 4x400m relay, but subsequently faced a doping ban and had all her achievements revoked. She had to take an 18-month break from competition, missing the opportunity to participate in the 32nd SEA Games, and faced a wave of skepticism from the public. People wondered whether the golden girl of Vietnamese athletics still had the stamina, form, and resilience to return to the top.

Quách Thị Lan shed tears upon crossing the finish line. Photo: Trọng Hiếu.

The answer was written by Quách Thị Lan right on the track during the women's 400m hurdles final at the 33rd SEA Games. In the opening meters, she fell behind, but with unwavering determination and exceptional endurance, Lan surged ahead in the final 100 meters, leaving her Thai and Philippine rivals far behind.

In the final seconds, she overcame psychological and physical barriers, surging ahead to win the prestigious gold medal. The moment she raised the national flag, her radiant smile mixed with tears of emotion, became a symbol of resilience and a proud comeback.

This victory is not just a title, but also a testament to mental strength, the ability to overcome prejudice and personal limitations. The 33rd SEA Games became a complete success, as Quách Thị Lan not only won the first gold medal for Vietnamese athletics, but also sent a powerful message: failures, injuries, or penalties cannot subdue a truly determined spirit.

Quách Thị Lan will remain involved with running after her retirement. Photo: Trọng Hiếu

And at the pinnacle of glory, Quách Thị Lan also chose the moment to bid farewell to the track, closing a chapter in her emotional competitive journey. Looking to the future, she will continue to inspire, become a guide, coach, and role model for future generations of Vietnamese athletics.

"I truly regret not having the opportunity to run alongside my teammates anymore, but in my new role, I will always stand by, support, and encourage Vietnamese athletics. I hope that one day soon, I can become a coach like Mr. Vu Ngoc Loi, guiding and training generations of talented athletes to continue this pride," the SEA Games 33 champion shared, his voice filled with pride, overflowing with aspiration and love for sports .

Source: https://tienphong.vn/quach-thi-lan-va-tam-hcv-cua-su-qua-cam-post1805022.tpo