Youngest Vien practices hard seeking swimming glory
09:50, 2016/08/02
Swimmer Nguyen Thi Anh Vien is the youngest Vietnamese athlete competing at the upcoming Rio Olympic Games. She, however, will swim in four events, the largest number of competitions, compared to the other athletes.
The 20-year-old grabbed her fourth Olympics’ A standard in the women’s 200m pool at a tournament in the US two months ago.
Previously, Vien qualified for the 200m individual medley (IM), 400m IM and 400m freestyle.
Her results have placed her among the world’s top 30 swimmers.
After shaking the swimming world at the Southeast Asian Games by capturing eight gold medals and setting eight records last year, Vien was seen less often, after she flew to train and compete in the US, in preparation for her second Olympics.
Vien, who arrived in Brasil last week, has set no target for this largest, global sports competition. She was also not mentioned at Vietnam’s send-off ceremony as a hopeful medalist, as she was in the past.
According to coach Dang Anh Tuan, it would be to her advantage not to be pressured when competing against her elite rivals.
Weeks ago, Vien had to compete in 7km swimming race every day, while improving her physique with about two hours of daily weightlifting.
Now in Rio, she will focus on her four events, specially the 400m IM, which is her strongest specialty.
Vien also has to train at 10pm to become conditioned for the time scheduled for her competitions.
“It is the first time I am to compete in this time zone. I have to work harder, but it is ok, I will get used to it. The matter here is how to train well to assure the best results,” Vien said.
Her top result in the 400m IM is 4min 38.78sec, which she accomplished nearly one year ago at the world championship, which placed her in the 10th position, while the London Olympic bronze medal was won with a score of 4:32.91.
Her training result is reported daily to the Vietnam Sports Administration, but it is not made public.
“I have not thought about a medal this year. I will just try to be one of the eight athletes in the finals. I may be in the 400m freestyle or 400m IM. But I will give priority to the medley, as I hope to make something special here,” said Vien.
Coach Tuan said Viên made great progress in the 400m IM and she corrected her technical errors from other competitions.
“Vien is preparing to perform her best in 2018 at the Asian Games. In this Olympics, she may enter the top eight of one, or several events, but her chance to win a medal is not clear, because there is a gap between herself and the world’s leading swimmers,” said Tuan.
According to the schedule, the 400m medley will be held on August 5, the 400m freestyle on August 6, and the 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley on August 7.
Previously, Vien qualified for the 200m individual medley (IM), 400m IM and 400m freestyle.
Her results have placed her among the world’s top 30 swimmers.
Vietnam's swimming star Nguyen Thi Anh Vien
|
Vien, who arrived in Brasil last week, has set no target for this largest, global sports competition. She was also not mentioned at Vietnam’s send-off ceremony as a hopeful medalist, as she was in the past.
According to coach Dang Anh Tuan, it would be to her advantage not to be pressured when competing against her elite rivals.
Weeks ago, Vien had to compete in 7km swimming race every day, while improving her physique with about two hours of daily weightlifting.
Now in Rio, she will focus on her four events, specially the 400m IM, which is her strongest specialty.
Vien also has to train at 10pm to become conditioned for the time scheduled for her competitions.
“It is the first time I am to compete in this time zone. I have to work harder, but it is ok, I will get used to it. The matter here is how to train well to assure the best results,” Vien said.
Her top result in the 400m IM is 4min 38.78sec, which she accomplished nearly one year ago at the world championship, which placed her in the 10th position, while the London Olympic bronze medal was won with a score of 4:32.91.
Her training result is reported daily to the Vietnam Sports Administration, but it is not made public.
“I have not thought about a medal this year. I will just try to be one of the eight athletes in the finals. I may be in the 400m freestyle or 400m IM. But I will give priority to the medley, as I hope to make something special here,” said Vien.
Coach Tuan said Viên made great progress in the 400m IM and she corrected her technical errors from other competitions.
“Vien is preparing to perform her best in 2018 at the Asian Games. In this Olympics, she may enter the top eight of one, or several events, but her chance to win a medal is not clear, because there is a gap between herself and the world’s leading swimmers,” said Tuan.
According to the schedule, the 400m medley will be held on August 5, the 400m freestyle on August 6, and the 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley on August 7.
15:33, 2025/02/24
Lacquer painting exhibition celebrates Hanoi artists
The painting exhibition is a tribute to three decades of paintings by the renowned Vietnamese couple of artists, Trinh Tuan and Cong Kim Hoa.
18:07, 2025/02/22
Vietnam heritage painting contest launched
The international painting contest "Brilliant Vietnam" seeks to celebrate Vietnam's rich traditions and values by spotlighting the country's intangible cultural heritage and involving both the expatriate Vietnamese community and the public from other countries.
15:35, 2025/02/20
Vietnamese lacquer: Traditional artistry meets modern innovation
Born in the early 20th century, Vietnamese lacquer art has evolved through time and artistic changes but remains a vital element of the country's fine arts today.
15:53, 2025/02/19
Indochina fine arts heritage in the heart of Hanoi
The artistic consciousness of Vietnamese artists was awakened by the Indochina School of Fine Arts in Hanoi, and Vietnamese fine arts evolved in tandem with modern nationalism to become more globally integrated.
20:50, 2025/02/18
Da Sy Blacksmith Village - a fascinating destination for traditional craft enthusiasts
Famous for its handcrafted knives and scissors, Da Sy Blacksmith Village in Hanoi offers visitors a unique glimpse into Vietnam's traditional metalsmith craft.
15:19, 2025/02/17
Three prominent Vietnamese painters spotlighted in Paris exhibition
For the first time, a special collection at the Musée Cernuschi in Paris pays tribute to Le Pho (1907-2001), Mai Trung Thu (1906-1980), and Vu Cao Dam (1908-2000) through works on display until May 4.
- Hanoi artists' Spring exhibition captivates public
- Admiring Dong Ho folk paintings on traditional ao dai
- Thousands flock to Van Mieu for calligraphy tradition
- New treasures unveiled from Thang Long Imperial Citadel
- Fire from the earth: A musical homage to Hanoi's revolutionary history
- Behold the unique collection of snake lacquer statues