Meet Hai Duong students who won two gold medals at the 2024 National Phu Dong Sports Festival

Hai Duong newspaper reporter interviewed Ngoc Anh about her recent memorable journey.

- Surpassing athletes from 12 provinces and cities in the Northern region to reach the finish line first, how did you feel at that time?

- I feel very happy and proud of myself for having done something I never thought of before. Especially, every time I achieve something, I often get emotional and cry a lot, especially when I became the first person to reach the finish line in the last tournament.

- In that moment of happiness, who do you want to share your joy and gratitude with the most?

- The first person I think of is my teacher, who has always guided and trained with me every day. I thank her for not being afraid of the long distance and hot weather for the past month to come to Hai Duong Sports Training, Coaching and Competition Center to train with me. I also want to thank my parents, relatives and friends around me who have always helped and encouraged me on my difficult journey to win medals.

- Pursuing sports is always an arduous journey, requiring perseverance. So when did you start this sport?

- At first, I wasn't really interested in school sports, but after winning first prize in long jump and endurance running at the Phu Dong Sports Festival in grade 7, my teacher chose me and encouraged me to practice so that I could go further. In the following days, I was determined to practice and do all the exercises the teacher gave me to continue participating in the Phu Dong Sports Festival at the district and provincial levels. As a result, I won first prize.

- On your journey of pursuing athletics, have you ever felt discouraged?

- When practicing, I was discouraged many times and intended to give up halfway. Competing in the athletics competition at the National Phu Dong Sports Festival this time was extremely difficult, requiring a lot of time and effort to travel from Kim Thanh district to Hai Duong city to practice. Right after the district competition, I got sick and lost a lot of weight, so my mother did not agree to let me continue to compete in the next round. However, Ms. Thuy always encouraged me and convinced my parents. My parents understood and supported me, preparing a nutritious diet according to the instructions of the teachers at the center so that I could have good health. From the spiritual resources from Ms. Thuy and my family like that, I had more motivation to win medals.

- Besides practicing at school and the center, do you practice on your own?

- I still practice by myself when I don't have a coach. On Sunday mornings when I have no school, I often jog on the dike near my house and around the new urban area. Moreover, from the Phu Dong Sports Festival at school level to the district level, I got used to running barefoot, but when I participated in the national competition, I wore professional running shoes. Therefore, I have to practice with more intensity than other students.

- Studying and competing at the same time is really not easy, so how did you balance your time between studying at school and practicing before the competition?

- Although it is very hard, I still balance my time between studying and practicing. During practice time, I go to school to study cultural subjects in the morning. In the afternoon, I take the bus to the training center in Hai Duong city to practice. In the evening, I spend a lot of time reviewing my lessons in class so that I do not have gaps in my knowledge. I feel very lucky that the school, teachers and friends always create conditions and take great care of me so that I can confidently take the exam while still keeping up with my studies in class.

- With such a passion for sports, what are your dreams and aspirations for the future?

- I wish I could become a "second version" of Ms. Thuy in the future, becoming a talented physical education teacher to be able to spread my love of sports to my students.

- If you could send a message to your peers who are also passionate about sports, what would you share?

- Nurture the passion for sports within yourself and try to practice every day, so you will achieve the achievements and goals you set.

- Thanks for this chat!

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Some outstanding achievements of Ngoc Anh
- Two gold medals in athletics at the National Phu Dong Sports Festival, Region II.
- Gold medal in the 800m women's endurance race at the Phu Dong Provincial Sports Festival with a time of 2 minutes 28 seconds.
- First prize in the 800m women's endurance race at the Phu Dong Sports Festival at the district level with a result of 2 minutes 34 seconds.