On the evening of December 12, the green race at the 33rd SEA Games became the focus when Nguyen Quang Thuan stepped up to the No. 1 position for the first time in the men's 400m mixed event.
In the highly anticipated race of Vietnamese swimming, the 18-year-old swimmer surpassed her senior Tran Hung Nguyen to bring home the first SEA Games gold medal of her career.
In the final, Quang Thuan showed impressive form, accelerating strongly in the second half of the swimming stage and finishing with a time of 4 minutes 18 seconds 98.
This is an achievement that shows the clear progress of young swimmers, and at the same time opens a positive signal for the successor to Vietnamese swimming after the time of Anh Vien - the sister who greatly inspired Thuan on his journey to the top.
Tran Hung Nguyen - the champion of the previous SEA Games finished second with a time of 4 minutes 25 seconds 45. Although unable to defend her top spot, Hung Nguyen still contributed to creating an emotional internal competition and continued to affirm her position as one of the top athletes of the team.
Quang Thuan's victory is considered an important step forward for the next generation. His confidence, speed and competitive spirit are helping Vietnamese swimming have an expected face for major tournaments in the future.
This historic gold medal is considered a big boost, opening a new journey for young swimming pool - who is expected to become the next symbol of the Vietnam green race.
