On the award podium, four Vietnamese girls , Dinh Thi Hao, Du Thi Bong, Ha Thi Vui and Pham Thi Hue, attracted special attention, as they were much smaller than the two rowing teams from Japan and China.

This disadvantage put the Vietnamese rowing team at a disadvantage against their opponents. In fact, in the final of the women's four-sculls heavyweight single-row event, the great effort helped the four Vietnamese athletes surpass Japan in about 1,500m. But then the team showed signs of running out of steam and let their opponents "come back" to finish second, behind the gold medal-winning team, China.

The Vietnamese team lost to Japan in the final meters (Photo: Hoang Linh).

“Despite our determination, China and Japan are two very strong opponents. The Vietnamese lightweight athletes competed against heavyweight opponents, so we could not overcome them. To prepare for the 19th Asian Games, the rowing team has been given attention and actively prepared. We hope that this medal will be a motivation for us to compete better,” said veteran rower Pham Thi Hue.

Meanwhile, Pham Thi Hue's teammate Du Thi Bong expressed regret at losing to Japan at the decisive moment in the final round.

"The difference in skill level between the athletes competing in the light weight category is not much, but we compete in the heavy boat category. Although there is a bit of a psychological difference, when entering the competition, everyone has the highest concentration. I am very happy to win the first medal for the Vietnamese sports delegation at the 19th Asiad with my teammates," said Du Thi Bong.

The physical disadvantage of Vietnamese athletes compared to their Chinese and Japanese opponents (Photo by Nam Trung)

A sports leader said that the arrangement of athletes to compete in events is the strategy of the coaching board of each team. Rowing has its own characteristics, Vietnamese athletes mainly compete in the light category, but at this year's Asian Games, the host country China has included the heavy category in the competition program.

Although they are only lightweight athletes with limitations in arm span and endurance, the four Vietnamese girls competed very well and almost won the silver medal at the Asian Games. The small Vietnamese girls won the bronze medal and are worthy of being heroes, shining examples of extraordinary will and determination.

Immediately after receiving medals from the Organizing Committee, Dinh Thi Hao, Du Thi Bong, Ha Thi Vui and Pham Thi Hue received bonuses from the leaders of the Vietnamese sports delegation.

Medal of will and fighting spirit (Photo by Nam Trung, T.D).

It is known that the Vietnamese sports delegation only gives bonuses to athletes who win gold medals at the Asian Games (the sponsor offers bonuses), but this is an exceptional bonus with the "opening" medal coming from the Vietnamese rowing team.

According to state regulations, the bonus for athletes and teams winning gold medals at the Asian Games is 200 million VND, silver medals are 85 million VND, and bronze medals are 55 million VND. In addition, if athletes break a record at the Asian Games, they will be awarded an additional 55 million VND, not including bonuses from the Federation, sponsors, etc.

Winning an Asian Games medal on his birthday

Athlete Ha Thi Vui's joy doubled when she and her teammates won the Asian Games bronze medal on her 24th birthday. "I feel very touched, honored and proud to participate in the Asian Games for the first time and bring home the first medal for the country. My teammates and I can win the gold medal in the upcoming event. This will be the gift I want to give to my future husband. We plan to hold a wedding at the end of this year," Ha Thi Vui shared her feelings.

Vietnamnet.vn