Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Le Anh Duong presents the Bac Giang province People’s Committee’s certificate of merit to Nguyen Thi Oanh.

Starting at the age of 15

Oanh was born in 1995 in My Ha commune, Lang Giang district. Under the encouragement of physical education (PE) teachers of My Ha commune Secondary School, Oanh competed at the Phu Dong Sports Festival, and then at track-and-field competitions of Lang Giang district and Bac Giang Newspaper. In 2010, she came second in the women’s category of the track-and-field competition organized by Bac Giang Newspaper. Recognising her potential, track-and-field coaches selected Oanh for the provincial team.

Unlike other athletes, it was late for Oanh to start her career as a track-and-field athlete. However, with her strong will and determination, Oanh summoned efforts during training sessions. After one year of intensive training, Oanh was selected for national youths’ tournaments, helping her to improve competition spirit. Surprisingly, she won two bronze medals in women’s 1,500m and 5,000m events. Following the tournaments, coaches helped Oanh to conquer the 3,000m hurdles.

Since then, Oanh recorded an array of achievements. She claimed medals at all domestic and international tournaments that she participated in, and had won the championship title of the 3,000m hurdles at the national track-and-field tournament for three times, and at the Asian Junior Athletics Championships in 2014. In 2016 and 2017, Oanh earned more than ten gold medals at national and international championships.

Conquering SEA Games

Nguyen Thi Oanh makes miracles at SEA Games 29 as she wins two gold medals.

Four years ago, Oanh competed at SEA Games 27 when she was 18. She brought home a silver medal in the 3,000m hurdles.

Aware of her week and strong points, Oanh practiced hard and learned from other athletes. She also acquired guidelines of coaches after each training session.

At SEA Games 29, fans witnessed the spectacular breakthrough of Nguyen Thi Oanh. After successfully conquering the women’s 1,500 meters, she made all viewers in Bukit Jalil Stadium (Malaysia) really excited by her flash sprint in the women’s 5,000metres. She left the rivals nearly half of the running track to become the first finisher.

Dream beyond ASIAD

Coach Dao Xuan Hung and Nguyen Thi Oanh at the SEAN-China International Marathon in 2017.

Sharing her secret of how to make success, Oanh said, the basic foundation for success is the hardworking, and an appropriate diet.

“I always consider my achievements at present just as a beginning of my next steps, not the pinnacle”, she said.

The two gold medals won at SEA Games 29 are Oanh’s excellent achievements, but with her strong personality, Oanh said it is not the pinnacle. She wishes to conquer other goals at the Asian Games (ASIAD).

Coach Dao Xuan Hung said Oanh can completely make better achievements in ASIAD through training programmes abroad with a suitable practice.

Quoc Truong