Nine years ago, after learning that she had glomerulonephritis so severe that the doctor had to warn her against "exercising", Oanh had to abstain from eating and drinking for months, while actively taking medicine to treat muscle atrophy and edema. Born in the year of the Pig, her short stature from this disease made her friends nickname her "Pig" Oanh, which sounds strange but later became a cute "nickname" for this 27-year-old star.
With extraordinary determination, Oanh gradually stabilized her health and resumed training in mid-2015. Without having to wait long to shine, Nguyen Thi Oanh made experts and colleagues admire the determination and will of a girl only 1.5 m tall, whose achievements gradually reached international level. If the bronze medal at the 2018 Asian Games in the 3,000 m hurdles or the 2 bronze medals in the 1,500 m and 5,000 m at the 2018 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships are rarely mentioned, then in the regional arena, Nguyen Thi Oanh is a big star. In 3 consecutive SEA Games 29, 30 and 31, she won a total of 8 gold medals and dominated her 3 favorite distances of 1,500 m, 5,000 m and 3,000 m hurdles.
Winning a hat-trick of gold medals, breaking a record and receiving the title of "Best Athlete of SEA Games 31", Nguyen Thi Oanh has become a new icon of both athletics and Southeast Asian sports. However, the female athlete from Bac Giang could not have imagined that her journey to defend her 3 championships would be so difficult and bumpy in Cambodia this time.
Having anticipated the possibility of facing an unfavorable schedule due to registering for 4 events (the most out of the total 47 events of the Vietnamese athletics team), Oanh and the coaching staff were shocked when she had to compete in 3 events within 24 hours. More specifically, 2 out of 3 of these competitions took place only 20 minutes apart, including the time to compete in the 1,500 m event and prepare for the 3,000 m obstacle course.
Nguyen Thi Oanh (561, 3rd from right) on the 1,500m run. Photo: QUANG LIEM
The official website of the International Olympic Committee previously posted the competition schedule for the 32nd SEA Games, according to which Oanh's 3 events were spread over 3 sessions on May 8 and 9. Therefore, experts were really "headaches" because they could not find a reason for the organizing committee to change the schedule so hastily. Having to run nearly 4 laps of the field (1,500 m), then quickly change clothes, attach bib number, thigh number (number of running lanes) and arrive at the waiting point for the 3,000 m obstacle course in about 20 minutes is truly a huge challenge for any athlete.
However, Oanh ran 1,500 m in just 4 minutes and 16 seconds, thanks to her close friend wiping her sweat right on the field, asking the Coaching Board to take attendance for her, and asking to postpone the doping test to be on time for the competition. Continuing to conquer the 3,000 m race, Oanh felt very lucky to have overcome many high fences and deep ditches to safely reach the finish line, and more than that, to win to keep this very valuable gold medal.
Nguyen Thi Oanh (561, left) on the 3,000m obstacle course. Photo: QUANG LIEM
Sharing with us in the athletes' lounge after regaining her strength, Nguyen Thi Oanh said that the tight competition schedule is no longer a big problem when she and her teammates always have the enthusiastic support of the coaching staff and doctors behind them. They just need to confidently go out on the field, face the challenges and overcome everything to reach glory.
Having completed her mission of defending her 3 gold medals early, Oanh is now aiming for the 10,000m event on May 12. Her body is almost exhausted after the horrific "physical torture" on the afternoon of May 9, Oanh is receiving the best care from the team's doctors and the Coaching Board has also developed appropriate strategies so that the "steel rose" can win for the 4th time at the 32nd SEA Games.
The family was very excited, many people shared the joy.
Nguyen Thi Oanh (born in 1995) was born into a farming family, the 7th of 8 children of Mr. Nguyen Van Chuyen and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Huong in My Ha commune, Lang Giang district, Bac Giang province. After Nguyen Thi Oanh made history by winning 2 gold medals at the 32nd SEA Games in more than 30 minutes, Mr. Chuyen said that many relatives and neighbors living nearby came to her house to share the joy, congratulate and express their pride.
"My family and Oanh keep in touch regularly via social networks, calling and texting continuously. After Oanh won 3 gold medals at the SEA Games this year, many relatives and neighbors came to our house to share the joy and congratulate her. Many people in Hanoi also called continuously to share the joy with the family. We don't know when Oanh will return, so we don't have any plans yet. When Oanh returns, the family will definitely invite neighbors to celebrate," Mr. Chuyen shared.
According to an official of My Ha commune, Oanh's family is still in difficult circumstances. The commune will come directly to award and encourage Oanh and her family in a timely manner. According to Mr. Truong Quang Hai, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Giang province, the department has reported to the provincial leaders to promptly reward and encourage Nguyen Thi Oanh. The province is also mobilizing businesses to give "hot" rewards to athlete Oanh.
Mr. Mai Son, Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Giang province, said that the province is very excited and is also waiting to welcome athlete Nguyen Thi Oanh back to organize a solemn celebration, commendation and reward.
BHThanh
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