The journey of overcoming adversity of a disabled athlete in Nghe An

Multi-talented disabled athlete

“Nguyen Tien Ngoc is an athlete with very good training discipline, perhaps that has helped him maintain his physical foundation to become one of the few athletes who excel in many sports at the same time such as table tennis, discus throw, javelin throw and weightlifting”, shared Mr. Nguyen Kim Dong - Vinh City Culture - Sports and Communication Center, who directly accompanies disabled athletes of the province in national sports competitions.

Before expressing his desire to meet this special athlete, Mr. Dong said that Mr. Ngoc is currently working as a security guard looking after materials for a construction site in Vinh city.

When the sun began to rise and the noise of machinery gradually subsided at the construction site, Nguyen Tien Ngoc had time to tell about his journey to recover from his illness.

Accordingly, since childhood, in the land of Quynh Luu where he was born, Nguyen Tien Ngoc had a burning passion for football. However, after a sudden stroke at the age of 18, he was almost completely paralyzed on the left side of his body. The first days after the stroke were the most difficult time for Ngoc and his family as he had to undergo a series of surgeries and rehabilitation treatments at large and small hospitals.

Not letting down his family's care, he began to practice simple movements, gradually recovering his mobility. Every day that passed, he made a little progress, and those tireless efforts brought unexpected results.

When his health gradually recovered, Ngoc decided to pursue his passion for sports again, but this time with table tennis. His father was also an excellent table tennis player in the locality, so he passed on his passion to his son in the hope that sports would help him overcome his illness and live a happier life.

Although it was not easy at first, Ngoc tried his best to get used to the racket and the small ball. Thanks to his perseverance and determination, he quickly became one of the promising local table tennis players.

In 2016, a big turning point for Nguyen Tien Ngoc was when he participated and won a Bronze Medal in the javelin throw at the National Paralympic Sports Championship. Few people knew that he had only been practicing javelin throw for a short time. However, under the dedicated guidance of the coaches and a persistent training plan, he mastered the difficult techniques of this sport to achieve a dream achievement for a disabled person.

In the following years, Nguyen Tien Ngoc actively participated in local sports competitions, and he won a Bronze Medal in table tennis at the 2017 Sports Competition for War Invalids and Disabled People organized by the Department of Culture and Sports of Nghe An province. In 2019, he continued his efforts and won a Silver Medal in this event.

From that achievement, he became a familiar face of the province, selected to participate in the National Sports Championship for the Disabled in 2018, 2020 and 2023. In the 2018 and 2020 seasons, he won a Bronze Medal in shot put. In 2023, he won two Bronze Medals in discus throw and shot put.

Happiness from a father's heart

Mr. Ngoc's eyes lit up when he mentioned his son born in 2014. His son was named Nguyen Tien Nhan with the wish from the bottom of his heart that his son would always be a strong man moving forward, not afraid of difficulties.

Since the age of 6, Tien Nhan has shown outstanding talent in table tennis. Therefore, Nhan was trained by his father and grandfather in important skills in this sport. The training sessions under the guidance of his father not only helped Tien Nhan improve his technique but also formed a strong competitive spirit, never giving up.

Thanks to the constant guidance and encouragement of his father and grandfather, Tien Nhan has won many high prizes in national table tennis tournaments. In 2023, he won a "double" of Bronze Medals at the National Youth and Children's Table Tennis Championship and the National Youth and Children's Table Tennis Championship for Outstanding Rackets. At the provincial youth table tennis tournaments, Nguyen Tien Nhan is also a typical face, having made many strong impressions.

Joy came to Tien Nhan and his family when at the end of 2023, he was selected for the youth table tennis team of the Nghe An Province Sports and Physical Training and Competition Center. After Tien Nhan left his hometown of Quynh Luu to go to Vinh City to train and compete, Ngoc's family also followed him to Vinh City to rent a room and find a job in Ben Thuy Ward. Every day, the neighbors are familiar with the image of father and son waking up at 5am to maintain a regular and diligent physical training regimen.

Looking back on the journey that he and his son have gone through, Mr. Nguyen Tien Ngoc shared that it was an immeasurable happiness to see his son standing on the podium of glory, receiving noble awards. For him, it was a testament to his efforts and unyielding spirit in the face of difficulties.

“

Born into life, everyone has a dream, whether small or big. Those aspirations are also the driving force that helps people with disabilities overcome all adversities and move forward.

Now, my dream is to continue to accompany my son so that we can continue to conquer new levels of true sports...".

Disabled athlete Nguyen Tien Ngoc