Do Van Hoang - the fastest runner and Nguyen Ngoc Trien - the fastest swimmer of Aquaman Vietnam season 1, teamed up for the first time with the goal of winning season 2.
Runner Do Van Hoang and swimming champion Nguyen Ngoc Trien (both from Hai Phong) were two of the earliest athletes to receive their race-kits at DNSE Aquaman Vietnam 2023 on the afternoon of October 27. Having participated in many marathons and duathlons under the VnExpress Marathon system, both are familiar with the procedures for receiving and checking Bibs.
Last year, in Tra Co, Hoang and Trien competed in the Aquaman Vietnam relay event, but not as teammates. Both achieved the best results in their respective races. Hoang was the fastest runner, while Trien was the first to get to shore after swimming 2km. At the end of the tournament, both were dissatisfied with the results, partly because the pair competed below their abilities.
"We have known each other since Tra Co and have had many exchanges about training and competition, so we are quite confident when working together in season two," Ngoc Trien said.
Nguyen Ngoc Trien (left) and Do Van Hoang received Bib DNSE Aquaman Vietnam 2023. Photo: Quynh Tran
Each with their own strengths, Nguyen Ngoc Trien and Do Van Hoang do not simply want to win the relay race. "We want each individual to be the best in their own competition, even surpassing their opponents. This is not too far-fetched a goal because last year, when we were not yet a team, Hoang and I did it," Trien said.
For his part, the swimming champion assessed that this year's swimming course has many advantages. "Last year, the athletes swam through big waves in a straight line four times, and turned around many times, so they lost strength quickly. The 2023 swimming course is inverted triangle shape, has straight swimming sections, few turning points and calmer seas, which are advantages for me to shorten the time, creating an advantage for my teammates in the running part," Trien said. According to the swimming champion, the part that requires smooth and quick coordination is the chip-time exchange at the transition area from swimming to running.
The running part is taken by Do Van Hoang. He is an amateur runner who often ranks top in the 42km distance in marathons. Having experience competing on many routes with different weather conditions, the male runner is not too worried. After receiving the Bib, Hoang and his teammates will survey the route to come up with the best strategy for the race day.
Do Van Hoang and his teammates won the Aquaman Vietnam 2022 relay championship. Photo: AV
Despite their confidence, the two brothers were still cautious and well-prepared because the race was always unpredictable. This year, in particular, the tournament brought together many athletes with good achievements.
In addition to the professional and technical exercises that Hoang and Trien have to do every day, the two brothers also remind each other about the smallest equipment. Trien gives an example of bringing safety pins to attach the chip-time tightly to the ankle. According to him, athletes usually only use safety pins to wear their running bibs. However, with the two combined events, swimming in the ocean has waves, the legs kick hard, making the chip-time easy to fall off, so it needs to be firmly pinned.
"We have to be responsible for our own achievements and our teammates. Just one small mistake can make all our preparation efforts go down the drain," said swimming champion Nguyen Ngoc Trien.
Nguyen Ngoc Trien in the swimming competition of Aquaman Vietnam season 1. Photo: AV
On the morning of October 29, Do Van Hoang and Nguyen Ngoc Trien will compete in the longest distance - with more than 1,000 athletes from all over. The distance of the two brothers is Aquaman (swim 2km, run 21km) and will start first at 6am, at Bikini Beach, NovaWorld Phan Thiet.
From the starting point, athletes run towards the sea, participate in the swimming part, then move to the transition area, preparing for the running part. The Aquaman Vietnam swimming route is marked with buoys, and safety is carefully prepared with dozens of SUPs and rescue boats.
Half Aqua distance athletes (1km swim, 10km run) will start 30 minutes later. Sprint Aqua competitors will compete at 7am. The swim time limit for the Aquaman distance is 80 minutes, while the time to close the entire race is 5 hours. For the Half Aqua distance, these limits are 40 minutes and 2 hours 30 minutes. The Sprint Aqua distance has cut-off times of 25 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes respectively.
The competition for children aged 6 to 10 - Aqua Kid (200m swim, 1km run) took place the day before, starting at 7am, October 28.
DNSE Aquaman Vietnam is the first swimming and running biathlon in Vietnam. Last year, the tournament took place in Sa Vi - the northernmost point of the country, in Tra Co ward, Mong Cai city, Quang Ninh province, attracting 1,000 athletes to compete.
Thanh Lan
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