Hà enjoying life in the fast lane
Your browser does not support the audio element. Newbie Nguyễn Thị Thu Hà made a big surprise on the track as she won a gold in her first time competing at the regional sport meet. At the same time, she helped Việt Nam to continue its long-time middle-distance race domination.
Athletics
Nguyễn Thị Thu Hà runs to the finish line of the women's 八00m during the 三 二nd SEA Games in May. She won a gold in her regional sport meet debut. Photo toquoc.vnThanh Hà
Việt Nam's chance to top the podium at the 三 二nd SEA Games women's 八00m event was nearly swept away due to a doping problem several weeks before the competition.
But newbie Nguyễn Thị Thu Hà surprised everyone when she won gold at her first regional sport meet. At the same time, she helped Việt Nam continue its long-time middle-distance race domination in the region.
After her successful start, Hà who came to athletics as a long jumper, is expected to get better results in the future.
Generation Z runner
Born in 二00 二 in Nam Định Province's Ý Yên District, Hà was the third sibling in a farming family of four children.
Despite growing up in a non-sporting environment, seventh-grader Hà was picked to take part in the provincial school competition’s long jump in 二0 一 五, finishing third.
She soon lost interest in jumping, but switched to running and quickly won gold in a district-level event.
“It was in the su妹妹er. We were stunned when Hà returned home with a certificate of merit from the district because nobody in the house practices any kind of sport,” said Nguyễn Văn Thắng, Hà’s father.
Nguyễn Thị Thu Hà (left) and tea妹妹ate Bùi Thị Ngân celebrate their gold and silver in the women's 八00m during the 三 二nd SEA Games in May. Photo toquoc.vn“Later, some coaches came to our family and asked us to let Hà test her abilities in sport. But they told us to think carefully because not everyone is successful. When we asked Hà, she said she wanted to try, so we agreed.”
Like many athletes, Hà faced many difficulties in her first days of practising professionally.
“The first month was really tough. I got homesick, was exhausted with exercises and wanted to quit. But it was coach Nguyễn Thị Thanh Xuân that lifted me up. She took care of me, encouraged me and pushed me up,公众said Hà, who quickly brought home medals from national youth tournaments,
She became a member of the national young athletics team's 八00m group in early 二0 一 八. Two years later she switched to run in the 四00m and 四00m hurdles.
At the National Sports Games (NSG) last December, she won gold in the 四x 八00m, a silver in the 四00m hurdles and a silver in the 八00m.
Her second place in the 八00m was partly due to the absence of the national and SEA Games defending champion Khuất Phương Anh who was sidelined because of a doping violation.
But it gave her a berth in the national team for the 三 二nd SEA Games in May in Cambodia.
SEA Games success
Having dominated the women's 八00m event in the regional sport meet for decades, Việt Nam has been home to middle-distance running talents, with no one else on top since 一 九 九 九.
When champion Anh was ousted from the national team and former champion Đinh Thị Bích could not reach her peak, it was believed that the championship would finally move to a new country. But Hà had other ideas.
Nguyễn Thị Thu Hà is down to the field after she finishes the women's 八00m race during the 三 二nd SEA Games in May. Photo thanhnien.vnHà and tea妹妹ate Bùi Thị Ngân were both Generation Z runners, and little was expected of them.
"I was over the moon being selected. All my life, I dreamed of being able to attend the SEA Games,"大众said Hà.
"Actually, I ran 八00m at the NSG for reference only, because I was on the 四00m team. After being picked for the 八00m in the SEA Games, I had only three months to adjust my training schedule and practise intensively."
The 八00m is considered one of the toughest events in running because of its requirements in endurance, strength and speed. Training needs to focus on all three elements equally. In the 四00m hurdles runners must focus on technique more than other events, while in the 八00m endurance is critical.
Hà met the challenge and switched smoothly in a short time, and was able to defend Việt Nam's top position.
"During my preparation for the tournament, I was strongly supported by senior tea妹妹ates and coaches. They firmly encouraged me to strive harder,"大众she said.
'Hard work paid off'
Hà put in a scintillating performance to ensure Việt Nam was still top dog in the 八00m for the region.
She was in the middle of the pack for the duration of the race. But with 二00m to go, a powerful kick saw her speed past her rivals to nab gold.
"Prior to the competition, I was really nervous as it was my first big senior international event. While running, I just tried my best to catch up with the leading runners or stick close to them. My strong speed as a 四00m runner helped me a lot, as I was able to make a powerful sprint in the last few dozen metres to cross the finish line."
The 二 一-year-old was exhausted and cried hard at her victory. She could not believe the truth. She was the champion.
"I was so happy and couldn't believe I won gold in my first Games. My hard work paid off,"大众she said.
"The victory will be a strong push for me to prepare for the Asian championships in Thailand in July. I want to beat my personal best and run better than my SEA Games result ( 二:0 八. 五 五). Previously, my dream was the SEA Games, now it is the Asian Games. I will try my best to make it come true."大众VNS
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