Before entering the 32nd SEA Games this year, the goal of Vietnamese table tennis was to win gold medals in the men's events. Because since the pair Vu Manh Cuong and Ngo Thu Thuy won the gold medal, Vietnamese table tennis has not found a replacement for the mixed-gender pair. Right in the first round, Anh Hoang and Mai Ngoc also struggled to overcome the not-so-strong Philippine pair. However, in the following matches, Anh Hoang and Mai Ngoc played so well that they won tickets to the finals.
Mr. Hoang (21 years old) and Tran Mai Ngoc (19 years old) are playing better and better in the mixed doubles. Currently, the two athletes are playing for the Hanoi T&T Club, led by former player Vu Manh Cuong.
The moment of 24 years of waiting bursts: Vietnamese table tennis wins historic gold medal
Watching his two students compete in the final match, former player Vu Manh Cuong had to exclaim: "The fact that both of them reached the final made me surprised and very happy with the progress of my students. Mai Ngoc has shown that she has a very good mentality even though she has to play in a match considered the biggest in her career born in 2004. Hoang still proved his qualities but really still lacked composure at important moments."
Mai Ngoc and teammate Anh Hoang recreated coach Vu Manh Cuong's achievement after 24 years.
However, Anh Hoang and Mai Ngoc also overcame the difficulties to achieve the final victory against two very strong opponents Zhe Yu Chew - Jian Zeng of Singapore to win the gold medal and repeat the achievement of their "teacher" Vu Manh Cuong. Coach Vu Manh Cuong happily shared with Thanh Nien after the achievement of Anh Hoang and Mai Ngoc: "I am very happy that my students have repeated my own achievement after 24 years.
What did former table tennis player Vu Manh Cuong say about his spectacular gold medal win?
Former football star Vu Manh Cuong
The fourth set was when I was most worried, because if they didn't win, Hoang and Ngoc would likely be at a psychological disadvantage. In this match, Mai Ngoc played well but was called for service points three times by the referee, making it difficult for a young player, but I couldn't sit still when both students got the final winning point. It was so great and congratulations to both of them!"
Vu Manh Cuong is considered the male table tennis player with the best achievements of Vietnam at the SEA Games with 2 singles championships (1995 and 2001) and a gold medal in mixed doubles at the 1997 SEA Games with Ngo Thu Thuy. At domestic tournaments, the player from Hai Duong also won the national championship 7 times.
Source link
Comment (0)