SEA Games 33: As Quang Thuan follows in the footsteps of his older sister Anh Vien.

The 33rd SEA Games marked a significant event, as Nguyen Quang Thuan broke free from Anh Vien's shadow and continued the legendary path of his older sister.

Overcoming pressure

On the afternoon of December 12th, in the men's 400m individual medley at the 33rd SEA Games , Nguyen Quang Thuan chose a far from quiet way to win.

From the very first meters of the swim, he demonstrated his superiority, creating a clear gap with the rest of the race, including his senior teammate Tran Hung Nguyen – who won the silver medal.

Quang Thuan excelled on the green track.

The gold medal demonstrated decisiveness , conviction, and the demeanor of a true champion.

Quang Thuan's mastery of the race evoked comparisons from the audience. His steady pace, smooth transitions, and consistent performance throughout the 400 meters were qualities that had once been the hallmark of Nguyen Thi Anh Vien .

In that moment, the image of the older sister seemed to emerge from the water's surface, not to obscure, but to illuminate a very special continuity.

But if we had only considered the family tradition, this victory would have been much simpler.

In reality, Quang Thuấn had to go through a much more difficult journey than that.

Bearing the title of younger brother of Ánh Viên – one of the greatest athletes in Vietnamese sports history, dubbed "The Iron Girl" by regional media – he enters the swimming pool with an invisible pressure that not every young athlete has the courage to face .

There, every achievement is compared to continental records, every step forward is compared to a living legend.

Thuan has overcome the pressure from her older sister's shadow.

Therefore, Thuan's leading from the start, his superior swimming performance, and his refusal to give his opponents a chance to catch up meant more than just a gold medal . It was a testament to his mental fortitude.

Following in my sister's footsteps.

Shun did not wait for the right time, did not shy away from expectations, and did not retreat into a safe haven.

The swimmer born in 2006 chose to confront the pressure head-on, transforming it into motivation to dictate the game in his own way.

In swimming, the 400m individual medley is the most demanding event, where even a small mistake can ruin all calculations.

Maintaining the lead throughout all four swimming styles requires not only physical strength, but also immense confidence and competitive spirit. Quang Thuấn achieved this calmly and precisely , as if he had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

Behind them, Tran Hung Nguyen tried to close the gap, but the difference was too obvious.

Ultimately, that gap is not just a difference in time, but also a difference in the psychological state of those ready to shoulder expectations.

Quang Thuấn is following in the footsteps of his older sister Ánh Viên.

Therefore, the gold medal on December 12th is not simply a professional milestone. It marks the moment Quang Thuan truly stepped out of the shadow of his famous older sister , something very few athletes in similar circumstances can achieve.

Ánh Viên once dominated the track with her perseverance and discipline. Thuấn, in his own way, is proving that he is not a copycat, but a new chapter in the miraculous story of Vietnamese sports .

In the blue waters, Vietnamese swimming has seen a new champion emerge, and has also provided an answer to a question that has lingered for many years: how to surpass the glory of the past.

Nguyen Quang Thuan chose the most difficult , yet most convincing , way to answer.

Photo: Song Ngư (from Bangkok, Thailand)

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/sea-games-33-khi-quang-thuan-tiep-noi-con-duong-chi-gai-anh-vien-2472127.html