SEA Games 31 Athletics Athletes: 'Golden Medals At Home Are The Most Precious'

Nguyen Van Lai, who won two gold medals in the men’s 5,000m and 10,000m, said that every victory is prestigious, but winning at SEA Games 31 is more meaningful because it took him 19 years to win.

`The medals at the 31st SEA Games are the most convincing answer to the hardships during the long training period that the athletes had to go through,` said Nguyen Van Lai.

Athlete Nguyen Van Lai.

Athlete Nguyen Thi Oanh, who scored a hatrick of 3 1,500 m gold medals;

Among the SEA Games 31 athletics gold medals, Hoang Nguyen Thanh left a strong impression when he first brought gold in the men’s full marathon to Vietnam.

SEA Games 31 athletics athletes: 'Golden medals at home are the most precious'

From left to right: Pham Thi Hue, Hoang Nguyen Thanh, Nguyen Thi Oanh.

Switching from marathon to 10,000 m, Pham Thi Hong Le said she went through very difficult times.

The pain of trauma and hardship

To be able to conquer the SEA Games race and bring home medals for the country, the athletes have faced many difficulties, including persistent injuries.

Athlete Do Quoc Luat.

Also fighting an injury to compete, Pham Thi Hue burst into tears as soon as she was asked about her feelings at SEA Games 31. `During the competition, my legs were very painful, and I had to try very hard. In addition,

Also conquering the 42 km full marathon, Hoang Nguyen Thanh not only suffered an injury but also had psychological problems and had the intention of not pursuing sports.

Hope for a breakthrough in the future

After a successful SEA Games competition with remarkable `trophies`, most athletes immediately set new goals to conquer in the future.

Hoang Nguyen Thanh focuses on training for the National Sports Festival to be held at the end of the year and immediately after that is preparing for the next SEA Games in Cambodia.

Also focusing on training to achieve high results at the next Southeast Asian Games, Do Quoc Luat plans to participate in experiential running events and practice to go further to meet his goals.