Swimmer won more than 150 medals: Spreading the spirit of self-study and volunteerism

Vu Thi Phuong Anh and her collection of medals from swimming competitions at home and abroad - Photo: NGOC PHUONG

That is the comment of a classmate about swimmer Vu Thi Phuong Anh (student of class 11A14, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City).

Self-taught swimmer

Since she was 5 years old, Vu Thi Phuong Anh was sent by her mother to swimming lessons to improve her physical fitness and prevent drowning.

But with a special love for this sport, Phuong Anh was selected for the Ho Chi Minh City Talent Team at the age of 9. And at the age of 11, the female student began competing in national competitions for the Ho Chi Minh City swimming team.

At the age of 13, Phuong Anh competed in the National Youth Championship (in Hue) and won two gold medals for the first time. The pride of being on the podium to receive the medals motivated her to pursue swimming. Up to now, Anh has a huge collection of more than 150 different medals.

A female student's day will start with going to swim practice in the morning at Yet Kieu Aquatic Sports Center (District 1), going to cultural school, going to swim practice after school and coming home to rest in the evening. Each practice session of Phuong Anh will last from 3 to 3 and a half hours.

With a busy swimming and study schedule, Phuong Anh said she doesn't have time to take extra classes and mainly studies on her own.

"With a fixed schedule, I will create a reasonable study plan at the beginning of the week. I take advantage of recess and lunch break at school to complete my homework. Usually, important tournament schedules will coincide with semester exams, so I often stay up until 2am to review. For difficult exercises, I will look up solutions online or ask friends," Phuong Anh said.

Inspiration

Phuong Anh (left) and her sister, former national swimmer Phuong Anh, at the 2022 National Sports Festival - Photo: NVCC

Student Doan Ngoc Dang Khoa (11A14 class student at Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School, District 3) commented that Phuong Anh was good at studying, good at sports, very kind to her classmates and was a great source of inspiration.

"There is a swimming pool at school so we often swim after school. Phuong Anh taught us. I think everyone should know how to swim, whether good or bad. In some situations like going to a pond, lake, sea... if an accident happens, knowing how to swim can save our lives as well as save others" - Khoa said.

Talking about her future plans, Anh said she wants to study law or business, in addition to continuing to pursue her passion for swimming and volunteering.

"Recently, I have contributed a little to support my fellow countrymen who are suffering from storms and floods in the North. In mid-September, I will start deducting my salary to support two children in the "Nuoi em" project. The children will receive money every month. I want to contribute to help my fellow countrymen, to increase the value of the medals I receive" - ​​the female student confided.

Former national swimming team athlete Vu Thi Phuong Anh (Phuong Anh's sister) shared: "I strongly support my sister's decision to support children in the "Raising Children" project because her family always tells her to know how to share, understand and love everyone. My sister is quite independent, I believe she can accompany the project for a long time."

Ms. Do Thi Hung (Phuong Anh's mother) confided: "My child accepts waking up early and staying up late to make time for practice as well as completing her studies well without needing pressure or reminders from her parents. I only take care of her, pick her up and drop her off, and tell her to try her best and be a good citizen, useful to society."

Huge collection

In Phuong Anh's collection of more than 150 medals, we can mention the gold medal at the 9th National Sports Festival in 2022, the gold medal at the national high school sports in 2023, the gold medal at the Southeast Asian age group championship in 2023, the silver medal at the Asian youth championship in 2024...

Last June, at the Southeast Asian School Games (held in Da Nang), Phuong Anh won two gold medals and broke two records in the 4 x 100m freestyle and 4 x 200m freestyle team events.

Good student

Ms. Nguyen Gia Phuong Thao - teacher at Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School (District 3) - commented that Phuong Anh is obedient, gentle, and loved by teachers and friends.

"Phuong Anh participated in several swimming competitions last school year but she still ensured her studies and ability to grasp knowledge well. She is also an excellent student in the class, strictly follows the school's regulations and regularly participates in Union activities with her friends" - Ms. Thao said.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/kinh-ngu-doat-hon-150-huy-chuong-lan-toa-tinh-than-tu-hoc-thien-nguyen-20240919102300444.htm