Illustrative image (Photo: webthethao.vn) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Nguyen Thi Huyenand Quach Thi Lan are serious contenders for gold medals at the upcoming SEAGames in the Philippines.
Defending champion Huyen recorded a trebleat the last Games in Malaysia, winning the women’s 400m, 400m hurdles and4x400m relay.
Huyen, 26, announced her retirement lastyear when she was pregnant, but she made brilliant comeback in July at the HCMCity International Track and Field Vietnam Open, where she triumphed in the400m hurdles, and 4x200m and 4x400m relays.
Three months later, she easily took goldsin her favourite events of the 400m and 400m hurdles at the nationalchampionships, but Lan was absent due to injury.
Her outstanding performance forced theNational Sports Administration to take a special decision by adding her to the Vietnam’sSEA Games delegation.
“My results are getting better, and I'mreaching the peaks I hit in the past. The more I train, the better I get. It'smade me more confident to try harder,” said Huyen, who is the mother of a10-month girl.
“I am confident but I still need to workhard because I will face many naturalised runners at the SEA Games. I shouldrun without any pressure and just stay focused.
“I had to overcome challenges after givingbirth before getting back to training. I hope to reach my peak at the Games tomake all this work worthwhile,” she said.
According to head coach Vu Ngoc Loi, Huyenhad quickly regained her form.
Huyen will compete in the 400m hurdles and4x400m relay, although she wants a chance to defend her title in the 400m. Sheis also a substitute in the 4x200m relay.
“She is doing great. She has a problem withher nerves during competition. She will be No 2 in the (400m) team, behindAsian champion (Quach Thi) Lan,” he said.
Lan, 24, took over the top spot after Huyenleft competition.
She won gold in the 400m hurdles at the2018 Asian Games in Indonesia in September, setting a personal best andnational record of 55.30sec. She also won the same event at the Asian Championshipin Qatar in April.
“I am injury-free and have completed mypreparations. I am ready and confident for the Games,” said Lan.
In the Philippines, Lan will take part inthe 400m, 400m hurdles, 4x400m and 4x400m mixed relays.
“It is hard to talk about how many golds Icould win. I just want to do well in all four,” she said.
“Athletes always compete under pressure butmy teammates and I will not let this pressure affect us. We will compete withan open mind which will help to push us ahead.”
Lan has competed at three Games but hasnever won an individual gold.
“It is really unlucky. First it was aninjury I sustained just days ahead of the tournament, then my rivals were justto fast for me, even though I tried my best.”
This time Lan is at her peak and will facethe comeback of her teammate Huyen, who may threaten her golden hopes.
However she considers it an encouragement.
“It is no problem for me. Her returnprovides strong motivation for me. It pushes me to work harder and both of uscould lift our results. It is good for Vietnam in general,” she said.
Athletics will be held from December 6-10at the New Clark Athletic Stadium in Tarlac Province, about 100km from Manila.
Vietnam, who overthrew Thailand’s long timedomination in athletics at the Kuala Lumpur Games with 17 golds, has set atarget of at least 15 golds to top the table again./.
Defending champion Huyen recorded a trebleat the last Games in Malaysia, winning the women’s 400m, 400m hurdles and4x400m relay.
Huyen, 26, announced her retirement lastyear when she was pregnant, but she made brilliant comeback in July at the HCMCity International Track and Field Vietnam Open, where she triumphed in the400m hurdles, and 4x200m and 4x400m relays.
Three months later, she easily took goldsin her favourite events of the 400m and 400m hurdles at the nationalchampionships, but Lan was absent due to injury.
Her outstanding performance forced theNational Sports Administration to take a special decision by adding her to the Vietnam’sSEA Games delegation.
“My results are getting better, and I'mreaching the peaks I hit in the past. The more I train, the better I get. It'smade me more confident to try harder,” said Huyen, who is the mother of a10-month girl.
“I am confident but I still need to workhard because I will face many naturalised runners at the SEA Games. I shouldrun without any pressure and just stay focused.
“I had to overcome challenges after givingbirth before getting back to training. I hope to reach my peak at the Games tomake all this work worthwhile,” she said.
According to head coach Vu Ngoc Loi, Huyenhad quickly regained her form.
Huyen will compete in the 400m hurdles and4x400m relay, although she wants a chance to defend her title in the 400m. Sheis also a substitute in the 4x200m relay.
“She is doing great. She has a problem withher nerves during competition. She will be No 2 in the (400m) team, behindAsian champion (Quach Thi) Lan,” he said.
Lan, 24, took over the top spot after Huyenleft competition.
She won gold in the 400m hurdles at the2018 Asian Games in Indonesia in September, setting a personal best andnational record of 55.30sec. She also won the same event at the Asian Championshipin Qatar in April.
“I am injury-free and have completed mypreparations. I am ready and confident for the Games,” said Lan.
In the Philippines, Lan will take part inthe 400m, 400m hurdles, 4x400m and 4x400m mixed relays.
“It is hard to talk about how many golds Icould win. I just want to do well in all four,” she said.
“Athletes always compete under pressure butmy teammates and I will not let this pressure affect us. We will compete withan open mind which will help to push us ahead.”
Lan has competed at three Games but hasnever won an individual gold.
“It is really unlucky. First it was aninjury I sustained just days ahead of the tournament, then my rivals were justto fast for me, even though I tried my best.”
This time Lan is at her peak and will facethe comeback of her teammate Huyen, who may threaten her golden hopes.
However she considers it an encouragement.
“It is no problem for me. Her returnprovides strong motivation for me. It pushes me to work harder and both of uscould lift our results. It is good for Vietnam in general,” she said.
Athletics will be held from December 6-10at the New Clark Athletic Stadium in Tarlac Province, about 100km from Manila.
Vietnam, who overthrew Thailand’s long timedomination in athletics at the Kuala Lumpur Games with 17 golds, has set atarget of at least 15 golds to top the table again./.
VNA
