Efforts on the training ground
At 7:30 a.m., the fence-crossing team of the Vietnam athletics team, including Nguyen Thi Nguyen, Huynh Thi My Tien, Nguyen Son and Hoang Thanh Giang (7 coordinated events), arrived at the training ground of the National High Athletes' Training Center.
Under the guidance of veteran coach Nguyen Van Loi, athletes warming up thoroughly from 45 to 60 minutes, because this is a group of events that requires strength, flexibility and high balance.
While My Tien and her teammates performed the main exercises, coach Nguyen Van Loi continuously gave meticulous instructions on each step, how to overcome the fence, and how to continue on the ground to minimize the risk of injury. After each exercise, the group performs a complete run to measure time and adjust techniques.
Athlete Huynh Thi My Tien shared: "Currently, my teammates and I are focusing on developing speed and endurance. Every day, the team practices two sessions, from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm and from 3:00 pm. I have just returned from injury, so my physical strength and form are only around 6/10. Before that, I took nearly a month off for treatment and recovery.
After competing in the world tournament in Japan, I learned the techniques and endurance of international opponents. They have a very good physical foundation, and that is what I am trying to improve. My goal at the 33rd SEA Games is to be in the group with medals. Currently, opponent Indonesia is developing very quickly, they will be the biggest challenge".
In the opposite half of the field, the relay team including Nguyen Thi Hang, Nguyen Thi Ngoc, Hoang Thi Minh Hanh, Tuyet Mai also started their own homework.
This group has just completed a long training trip in France and returned to the Center on October 24. This is also the strength and expectation for the gold medal for Vietnam Athletics.
Athletes take turns practicing starting, running short, and then running long. The strengthening team's practice session ended after about 2 hours and 30 minutes, while the fence-crossing team continued until 10:30.
The final period and determination of the players
Not only the team overcomes the fence, many other events of the team are also in a heavy training period to perfect their physical strength before entering the weight loss and competition routine.
In addition to the group of athletes at the Center, another group with Nguyen Thi Oanh is training at Mieu Mon, or the 400-800m group of Nguyen Thi Ha, Le Ngoc Phuc... has just traveled to China to train.
For Hoang Thanh Giang, the only representative of Vietnam in the 7 women's coordination events, the training volume is even heavier as she has to divide her time for different professional groups.
"Currently, we are in the physical preparation stage and entering more intense main exercises towards the SEA Games. My coach at the center is not an expert in 7 coordinating subjects, so every day I have to practice with professional groups depending on the content.
For example, I go there every day the group crosses the fence or the long-distance dance group practices. Traveling between practice groups forces me to arrange reasonable time, because I cannot practice all the contents in one day," Thanh Giang said.
Having just completed the national championship not long ago, Giang and his teammates only had a short break of 1-2 weeks before entering the new coaching cycle.
"My current physical strength is only about 5/10, but we are gradually increasing the volume and difficulty. I have set my own goals, but I would like to keep them for fear of saying the steps ahead of schedule. However, I will try my best to achieve the best results, the female athlete said.
At the training center, the atmosphere these days is always bustling. The groups take turns playing from early morning to late afternoon, ensuring a steady training schedule.
According to the plan, in the next month, the Vietnamese athletics team will enter the sprint stage to perfect techniques and measure achievements, before moving to Thailand to participate in the 33rd SEA Games.
With a team of many experienced players combined with young players, Vietnam Athletics aims to maintain its position as a top team in the region, while aiming for impressive performances in strength events.
Through many SEA Games, athletics has always been the spearhead to win the most medals for the Vietnam Sports Delegation. At the most recent Congress in Cambodia 2 years ago, the athletics team excellently brought home 12 gold medals, 20 silver medals and 8 bronze medals, continuing to maintain its leading position in the region.
