Hang to wrestle for glory in Rio Games

17/08/2016, 16:35

Taking up wrestling by chance, Vu Thi Hang has stuck to the sport meant for men all her life and has made her name at the Rio Olympics this summer.

Born in a poor family in Tan Yen District, Bac Giang Province, Hang is the only child who loves and follows sport since she was a little girl.

She was a member of her school basketball, volleyball and traditional martial arts clubs.

However, she never thought of taking up wrestling until she was chosen by a village coach Duong Van San, a former wrestler, to take part in his  club in the Dinh Village in Ngoc Chau Commune in 2007 when she was 15.

“I was looked agile and flexible so he (coach San) asked me to test my skills at his club. Looking at the wrestlers practicing I found quite a few things interesting and decided to join,” Hang said.

Since then the girl has cycled 10km every day from her house to the club to sharpen her technique and returned home in pain.

“I was impressed with her hard work, good listening skills and inquiring mind, which helped her advance speedily,” coach San said. “She is a mirror to the junior wrestlers of the club.”

“I was afraid that my parents would be worried and would stop me so I lied to them, telling them that I was taking part in extra classes. Only when I began training at the Hanoi’s Elite Athletes Training Centre, did they know,” Hang said.

Coach Doi Dang Hy, on one of his tours to scout for athletes in Tan Yen District, discovered Hang. The former Southeast Asian Games champion, then the national team head coach, immediately signed a contract with Hang and made her join the Hanoi Team.

The 16-year-old girl from the rural area encountered a lot of difficulties initially at the centre.

She was too shy to talk with anybody for several months. The change strongly affected her in both, lifestyle and training activities. She was even fined often because of slowness.

But talent is still talent. Hang may have been slow but she just needed two years to become a member of the national team in 2010.

Under a professional environment with qualified coaches and experts, Hang is like a fish in water. Her techniques have approved while her weak points have been fixed.

“She is a typical athlete, and a professional wrestler with good skills and high responsibility. We are lucky to have her in our team,” coach Hy said.

After nearly eight years in wrestling Hang has a collection of medals. She has had no worthy rival in the 48kg category in the national championship since 2013 after winning numerous titles in the youth tournaments. She took a silver at the Asian Youth Wrestling Championship and a gold at the 27th SEA Games in 2013. Earlier, she earned a silver at the World Youth Wrestling Championship.

And March 20 was a history day in her calendar when Hang successfully won her berth in the Rio Olympics.

It was a qualification event in Kazakhstan and Hang defeated the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's So Sym Hyang 3-2 in the semi-final round to enter the final. Being one of two finalists of the class meant that she officially qualified for the Games, globally the most prestigious sports festival organised every four years.

“I want to share my happiness with my family, friends and fans who have strongly supported me and created the best conditions for me in these wins,” Hang said after her win.

“I dreamt of being a martial artist when I was young, but my life changed when I became a part of the wrestling club. And now I am very pleased with my slot in Brazil,” she said.

She also made her parents and former coach proud.

“She has worked hard in eight years, living far from home without the care of her parents. It is great that she has made it,” her father Vu Van Tuyen said.

“It is sudden happiness that she brought to us. Her success will prove to be a strong push for the wrestling movement in our district and province,” coach San said.

While enjoying her success Hang knew that challenges were still ahead.

“Olympics is the biggest tournament, and all wrestlers here are very strong. It is my debut and I feel a little pressure. I have to work harder to prepare for the matches, but no matter how strong they are, I will wrestle with confidence,” Hang said.

“People said that her ticket is a surprise but it is not. It was in our plan since the London Olympics. Hang is speedy, enduring and clever. She will definitely grab more titles in the future,” coach Hy said.

Hang will kick off her tournament on August 17 at the Carioca Arena 2. Her rival will be identified after the draw on the same day.

VNS


Related articles

(0) Comments
Focus
A New Race Begins
BTO-“I grew up in a poor rural area, where life was full of challenges and hardships. And yet, here I am now, standing here, with this great award and joy!” Vinicius Jr spoke these heartfelt words during the 2024 FIFA The Best Awards ceremony held in Doha, Qatar, on the evening of December 17.
Do not miss
  • A New Race Begins
    15 hour ago Sports
    BTO-“I grew up in a poor rural area, where life was full of challenges and hardships. And yet, here I am now, standing here, with this great award and joy!” Vinicius Jr spoke these heartfelt words during the 2024 FIFA The Best Awards...
  • “CR7- An U40 Machine Gun”
    15 hour ago Sports
    BTO-On December 15, 2024, just a few days after their victory over Al-Gharafa in Round 12 of the Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo (CR7) continued to score, adding two more goals to his impressive career during a stellar performance...
  • Another Painful Defeat
    15 hour ago Sports
    BTO-The press conference before the fight between Fury and Usyk was full of drama, culminating in the longest “staring” in boxing history: 12 minutes. Although the unprecedented staredown ended, after 12 rounds of fighting, the victory...
  • Binh Thuan's OCOP 4-Star Fish Sauce and the Path to International Market
    23 yesterday Business
    BTO -Fish sauce from Phan Thiet and Binh Thuan is highly praised by local and international consumers for its unique, rich, and full-bodied flavor. This distinctive quality is likely a result of traditional fermentation methods and...
  • Binh Thuan to protect Intangible Cultural Heritage Recognized by UNESCO
    28 yesterday Culture
    BTO – In 2013, UNESCO recognized Southern Vietnamese Don Ca Tai Tu (DCTTNB) as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Binh Thuan is one of 21 provinces and cities with the artistic heritage of Don Ca Tai Tu, contributing to enhancing...
  • Sinner Continues to Shine
    28 yesterday Sports
    BTO - Shortly after claiming the ATP Finals title, Jannik Sinner continued his winning streak by helping the Italian team win the Davis Cup title against the Netherlands in the final. This victory marked the perfect ending to an extraordinary...
  • Even talent needs a touch of luck
    28 yesterday Sports
    Before the Premier League match between Manchester United (MU) and Ipswich Town in the 12th round of the 2024-2025 season, all 30,000 seats at Portman Road were sold out, setting the stage for an incredibly energetic atmosphere.
  • Binh Thuan collaborates and partners to promote tourism development
    28 yesterday Travel
    BTO - Cooperation and linkage in tourism are vital for localities to capitalize on their potential, transform tourism into a leading industry, and enhance contributions to the local economy. Efforts to connect and jointly develop tourism...
  • Binh Thuan to introduce Cham Culture to international tourists
    one month ago Travel
    BTO – As the peak season for welcoming international visitors is currently triggering in Binh Thuan. The locality has organized a number of activities closely tied to local culture at accommodations to offer guests unique and memorable...
  • Binh Thuan’s leaders received delegation from Jiangsu People's Publishing House
    one month ago Externat Relations
    BTO -Vice Chairman of Binh Thuan Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Minh hosted a courtesy meeting with a delegation from China’s Jiangsu People's Publishing House, led by Mr. Cao Bin, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Jiangsu People's Publishing...
  • “Iron Mike” has “softened”
    one month ago Sports
    Before the match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, “Iron Mike” arrogantly told reporters about the result: “I will win resoundingly.”
  • Binh Thuan enhances solidarity by the “National Great Unity Day”
    one month ago Culture
    BTO -These days, all residential areas in the province are filled with the joyful and bustling National Great Unity Day atmosphere. This is not only a chance for all people to join in the residential community activities and enhance...
  • How long for this perfection?
    one month ago Sports
    BTO - When legendary coach Jurgen Klopp succeeded Arne Slot in the hot seat of Liverpool, the Kop fans doubted whether Arne Slot could replace Jurgen's "shadow." The answer was confirmed after six months of Arne Slot taking charge when...
  • Binh Thuan: Speciality of the Cham Cuisine brought into Tourism services
    one month ago Culture
    BTO - The Cham community in Binh Thuan boasts a distinctive culinary culture, especially the cuisine featured in their festivals besides their cultural heritage, which encompasses both tangible and intangible culture. The food served...
  • A harsh replacement
    one month ago Sports
    Erik Ten Hag joined MU in April 2022 and brought high expectations after his success at Ajax. However, after only 30 months, Erik Ten Hag was "kicked out" after the "worst" results in MU's starting season history. Chosen as the interim...
  • Binh Thuan makes efforts to welcome “eagle" investors
    one month ago Business
    BTO - In mid-October, Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Hoai Anh led a delegation to inspect the progress of infrastructure investment in Tan Duc, Son My 1, and Son My 2 Industrial Parks. The purpose was to conduct field inspections,...
  • Donald Trump Officially Becomes 47th President of the United States
    one month ago Externat Relations
    As predicted by the media in the past hours, Donald Trump's "overwhelming" victory over Ms. Harris has officially brought him back to the White House for the 47th US President
  • Rural tourism is on the rise
    one month ago LANDSCAPES
    BTO- Last Saturday, I went to Cam Binh Beach (Tan Phuoc commune, La Gi town) at the Anh Chau couple's invitation. This is not the first time I have been to La Gi or Cam Binh Beach, but it has been more than 5 years since I had the chance...
  • Binh Thuan welcomes nearly 8 mln tourist arrivals
    one month ago Travel
    BTO - In October, Binh Thuan tourist destination has welcomed over 800,000 visitors, an increase of 2.89% compared to the previous month and nearly 15% compared to the same period in 2023. Specifically, there were about 25,900 international...
  • Binh Thuan Cuisine in the Eyes of Japanese Tourists
    one month ago Culture
    BTO - For the first time, a number of renowned chefs from various regions has flocked to Binh Thuan, creating a rich gastronomic space in regional identity and distinctive flavors from the coastal products of Binh Thuan.
POWERED BY ONECMS - A PRODUCT OF NEKO
Hang to wrestle for glory in Rio Games