Wanted to retire after giving birth
Striker Nguyen Thi Xuan is in the same generation as the golden generation of Vietnamese women's volleyball such as Kim Hue, Ngoc Hoa, Pham Thi Yen... Mentioning Nguyen Thi Xuan is remembering a talent, considered a late blooming "flower" of Vietnamese volleyball.
The striker from Nam Dinh came to this sport in 2001. However, in the beginning, Nguyen Thi Xuan did not have many opportunities to show her talent because she was hidden behind the big shadows of the two main strikers at that time, Bui Thi Hue and Dinh Thi Dieu Chau.
It was not until 2012, when she was 26 years old, that the talent of the Nam Dinh girl was recognized by experts and fans when Nguyen Thi Xuan played for the Vietnamese women's volleyball team at the Asian Women's Volleyball Championship.
Talking to Lao Dong, main striker Nguyen Thi Xuan said that her journey of more than 20 years with volleyball has given her many experiences and emotions.
"With my height and good health, I have played as a main attacker for many years. The biggest mark that I remember after more than 20 years of playing volleyball is the national championship in 2012.
After giving birth, I felt difficult and pressured about my weight and speed. There was a time when I wanted to quit my job, but when I thought about it carefully, I realized that I still love this sport very much. I feel like I am living my passion. Volleyball helps me improve myself.
Having been involved in volleyball for many years, I also feel a little bit of achievement, there are many good things. This makes me proud and confident that I am on the right path. When I see that this path is no longer right, I will stop," main attacker Nguyen Thi Xuan shared.
Husband is the motivation to compete
Besides her impressive and lasting career, striker Nguyen Thi Xuan also has a happy and fulfilling life. She and her husband met in 2004 when they were both athletes. The striker's husband was previously a beach volleyball player. After 8 years of knowing each other, the couple got married and now have a son.
The Quang Ninh team's hitter shared that her husband is a strong supporter, helping her return to competition after giving birth and supporting her with all the family chores.
"Because he used to be an athlete, he understands the nature of my job. Even though we are my spouse, he often shares his expertise with me. I once decided to retire after giving birth, and even gave all my volleyball-related belongings to relatives and friends. But my husband was the first person to tell me: "If you can and still have passion, you should compete again. I will support you as much as possible with family and children."
Therefore, in 2018, after giving birth to a baby for 9 months, I returned to playing volleyball. Later, because I played away from home continuously, my husband sacrificed and retired to take care of the family. He is currently an officer at the Procuracy in his hometown of Lam Dong. It can be said that my husband is the first motivation that helps me always try, make an effort and compete," said main striker Nguyen Thi Xuan.
The constant training and competition means that the 38-year-old striker can only visit home for about a month after each tournament. On average, she only comes home 3-4 times a year, so sometimes her husband and son go to the North to visit her.
It was her husband's sacrifice that made the main striker Nguyen Thi Xuan make a clear decision: "My youth was spent on volleyball. Therefore, if I retire in the future, I do not want to stick with and follow a coaching career but return to my family, to make up for my husband and children after years of hard work."
