Ready for ASEAN Para Games 2025

With their will, spirit and desire to rise, they are not only determined to bring glory to Vietnamese sports at the regional arena, but also aim for the further goal of conquering the 2028 Paralympics.

Over the years, Vietnamese disabled sports have made a strong mark on the regional and world sports map, from the bronze medal of athlete Cao Ngoc Hung to the historic gold medal of Le Van Cong at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, Vietnamese disabled sports. At the 12th ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia and the 2023 ASIAN Para Games in Hangzhou (China), athletes such as Vo Thanh Tung, Trinh Thi Bich Nhu and Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy continued to bring home proud achievements, contributing to affirming the position of Vietnamese sports.

Over the past 30 years of formation and development, the Vietnamese disabled sports movement has encountered many difficulties. Although training conditions are still lacking and facilities are limited, with the will to overcome difficulties, athletes still quietly train, overcome adversity and rise up.

Athlete Le Van Cong, who once brought glory to Vietnamese sports with a gold medal at the 2016 Paralympics, agreed to postpone surgery to completely treat his shoulder injury. Instead, he endured the pain and continued training with the determination to bring glory to the Fatherland. “If I go under the knife, I will have to rest for six to eight months. Meanwhile, the ASEAN Para Games are approaching, then the ASIAN Para Games. If I miss these tournaments as well as the qualifying round, I will not have the chance to win a ticket to Los Angeles for the 2028 Paralympics,” the 41-year-old athlete shared.

Ahead of the 13th ASEAN Para Games, weightlifter Le Van Cong had an impressive warm-up performance at the recent World Weightlifting Championships in Cairo (Egypt). Although his initial goal was to enter the top eight to qualify for the first qualifying round of the 2028 Paralympics, the result exceeded expectations when Le Van Cong excellently entered the top four. With this warm-up performance, the athlete's goal at the upcoming regional Games is to defend his championship title as well as break his personal record.

In the athletics category, coach Dang Van Phuc set a target for all athletes to win medals at the 13th ASEAN Para Games. “Currently, the athletes are full of enthusiasm for the Games. As for the athletics team, I expect all members to win medals. Our roadmap is also long-term, with the biggest destination not only being the ASEAN Para Games, but also the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles,” said Dang Van Phuc.

Athlete Cao Ngoc Hung, who brought home a historic bronze medal for Vietnamese sports at the 2016 Paralympics, is making great efforts: “At the upcoming ASEAN Para Games in Thailand, my goal is to improve my performance, approaching the Paralympic standards to have the opportunity to participate in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. In addition to my strength in javelin throwing, I will also participate in discus throwing and shot put. If I continue to successfully defend my gold medal this year, an event in which I have won a total of 10 gold medals before, this will be a special gift for my fans and my homeland in the 30th anniversary year of Vietnamese para sports.”

In chess, the biggest hope is chess player Tran Thi Bich Thuy. At the 2025 International Individual Chess Championship for People with Disabilities (IPCA) held at the end of July, she competed brilliantly with a gold medal, a silver medal and a bronze medal.

Remember, at the 12th ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia, Bich Thuy sadly withdrew right before the opening day due to appendicitis and had to be urgently hospitalized. That is why, entering the upcoming largest regional Congress, the female player is full of determination: "To aim for the 13th ASEAN Para Games, my teammates and I are preparing carefully with the goal of achieving the highest results. Participating in the 2025 Olympiad in Kazakhstan will be a valuable opportunity for me to exchange, learn and also a warm-up for the ASEAN Para Games early next year."

Despite many challenges ahead, the spirit and determination of Vietnamese athletes with disabilities are being nurtured every day. The 13th ASEAN Para Games is not only an immediate destination, but also an important stepping stone on the journey towards the 2028 Paralympics, where athletes want to continue to write the will and spirit of the Vietnamese people on the world stage.

VU DINH PHONG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/san-sang-cho-asean-para-games-2025-post923422.html