Athlete Han Quang Thoai instructs young children on swimming techniques - Photo: NGOC PHUONG
After suffering from a fever at the age of 3, Mr. Thoai (from Ninh Thuan province) was unable to fully recover his legs. Overcoming adversity, he strived to study and become a teacher. Mr. Thoai studied history education at Dong Thap University, and after graduation, he taught at a junior high school in Ho Chi Minh City.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, feeling his health declining, he decided to take up sports and temporarily suspend his teaching job at school. He then developed a passion for swimming and became a Para Games athlete.
In 2023, athlete Han Quang Thoai was called up to the national team, participated in the 2023 ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia and won four bronze medals (400m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle and 200m individual medley)...
Besides training for competitions and teaching freestyle swimming, Mr. Thoai also teaches swimming for free to children at the Thien Than Children's Protection Center (Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City) every Monday morning, Tuesday afternoon, and Friday.
Mr. Han Quang Thoai shared: "The most important thing when teaching swimming is preventing drowning. I guide the children on safety skills and the dangers in the water environment to avoid risks. I hope the children learn to swim, and even further, they can compete, see this as a field of study in the future, and stay involved with this sport for a long time."
Besides teaching swimming for free, athlete Han Quang Thoai also holds history workshops at the orphanage. Last August, Thoai taught two workshops on Phu Dong Thien Vuong and the legend of Lac Long Quan and Au Co.
"Because I care about the children, I dedicate my time to teaching them history. I want them to know about the origins of our nation, the figures and heroes who contributed to building and defending the country," said Mr. Thoai.
Mr. Bui Cong Hiep, director of the Thien Than Children's Protection Center, said that the center has 84 children who are learning to swim to prevent drowning, and those with talent are participating in professional competitions.
"Most of the swimming instructors here are former athletes. Mr. Thoai, in particular, volunteered to teach swimming and history. For history lessons, he and I choose the topic together. Then, I give the topic to the children to research beforehand, and Mr. Thoai asks questions in class. These sessions train the children in history and build confidence in communication," Mr. Hiep remarked.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/van-dong-vien-para-games-day-boi-mien-phi-cho-tre-mo-coi-20240922095516853.htm
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