Nghe An weightlifters strive to maintain their achievements at the National Sports Games.

No force belong to Mom diapers milk

When it comes to weightlifting in Nghe An over the years, Pham Thi Hong Thanh has always been a name that leaves a special mark. This girl from Hai Duong, who matured while competing at the Nghe An Sports Training and Competition Center, has become one of Vietnam's outstanding female weightlifters.

At the 31st SEA Games in 2022, Hong Thanh successfully defended her gold medal in the women's 64kg category, simultaneously breaking three SEA Games records with a snatch of 104kg, a clean and jerk of 126kg, and a total lift of 230kg. Prior to that, she had won all three gold medals at the 2022 Asian Weightlifting Championships and dominated national competitions for many consecutive years.

What makes Hong Thanh highly regarded is not only her strength or achievements, but also her incredibly tenacious fighting spirit. On numerous occasions, the female weightlifter from Nghe An has created emotional comebacks in the final lift to secure victories.

However, as 2026 approaches, Hong Thanh's journey becomes more special than ever. After getting married and having her first child, she temporarily stepped away from the ring to take on a new role: that of a mother.

Currently, Hong Thanh's child is over 4 months old. That amount of time is enough to understand that returning to top-level sports after childbirth is not easy. But instead of choosing a long break, the female weightlifter is determined to return to training in preparation for the 10th National Sports Games in 2026.

These days, besides taking care of her child, Hong Thanh still regularly goes to the gym to get used to exercising again. From regaining muscle mass and recovering her fitness after childbirth to adjusting her weight, everything requires a lot of perseverance.

Every day, she tries to make time to go to the gym. For Hong Thanh, the most important thing right now is to regain her workout routine and gradually bring her body back to its best condition.

In weightlifting, returning to competition after giving birth is already difficult, and regaining the level of performance that conquered the SEA Games is even harder. But the experts in Nghe An still have a lot of faith in Hong Thanh. Because what made her famous is not just her medals, but also her extraordinary willpower to overcome difficulties.

Coach Vu Duc Hoang, Head of Training Department at the Nghe An Sports Training and Competition Center, said that Hong Thanh remains the biggest hope for weightlifting in Nghe An at this year's Games.

“Hong Thanh only returned to training after giving birth, so there are still many questions about her form. But the good news is that she is very determined in her training. We are currently considering which weight class is most suitable for her,” shared coach Duc Hoang.

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While the 2022 National Sports Games were a successful event for Nghe An weightlifting with 3 gold medals, this time things are predicted to be much more difficult.

According to coach Vu Duc Hoang, the biggest difficulty lies in the changes to the regulations. Many weight categories have been reduced, and the number of medal sets is also fewer than before, significantly narrowing the opportunities to compete. Meanwhile, some athletes who were at the peak of their form in 2022 are no longer able to maintain their best performance.

Hung Van The's case is a prime example. Previously, this weightlifter competed in the 55kg category, which was his specialty. However, because the Games no longer include this weight category, The was forced to move up to compete in the 60kg category. This category brings together many strong weightlifters from across the country, some of whom have almost established their positions, so Hung Van The's chances of winning a gold medal will be very difficult.

In addition, Nghe An weightlifting continues to place its faith in the next generation of athletes like Nguyen Thi Quynh Mai. In 2025, Quynh Mai won two bronze medals at the national championship and two gold medals at the national cup, becoming one of the promising young talents for the near future.

To prepare for the Games, the Nghe An weightlifting team has developed a long-term training plan for key athletes. Hung Van The is currently training with the national team to prepare for the international qualifiers in Colombia, while Quynh Mai is also training with the national youth team.

In addition to focusing on professional training programs, the coaching staff also pays special attention to physical recovery, nutrition, and competitive psychology. According to Coach Vu Duc Hoang, the National Sports Games always have much greater pressure than the annual national championships.

"Local authorities are investing heavily in the Games. Some places hire foreign experts and send athletes for international training. Therefore, the level of competition is always very fierce," said Coach Duc Hoang.

Beyond the professional aspects, this year's Games are particularly unique due to the mergers of many provinces and cities, significantly altering the balance of power. Although weightlifting is a weight-category competition and therefore less affected than team sports, the competitive pressure remains greater than before, with many units possessing deeper and more experienced teams.

Nevertheless, in the face of difficulties, Nghe An's weightlifting team still maintains faith in the tradition of a leading sport that has brought glory to the province for many years. What the coaching staff is waiting for now is the athletes' spirit to overcome challenges.

There, Phạm Thị Hồng Thanh, a mother of young children, returns to the gym every day, perhaps the clearest image of the aspirations of weightlifters from Nghe An province ahead of the 10th National Sports Games in 2026.