"Live with determination and dare to dream..."
(Baonghean)Currently, gymnast Pham Phuoc Hung is busy with training trips abroad, preparing to compete at the 2012 London Olympics. This young man, whose maternal grandparents are from Nghe An province, still found time for an interesting conversation with Nghe An Newspaper...
First of all, congratulations to Hung on qualifying for the 2012 Olympics! Can Hung tell us about his training regimen in preparation for the upcoming Olympic competition?
- Currently, I'm undergoing a 50-day training camp in Wuhan, China. This is the most crucial phase, as I'll be perfecting my movements and refining my routines. At the end of May, I'll return to Vietnam, and in early June, I'll participate in the World Cup in Belgium to re-evaluate my performance and gain further experience so I can perform to the best of my ability at the upcoming Olympics.
- It is known that Hung once suffered from a terrible disease that could have ended his sports career! However, Hung managed to overcome it and achieve outstanding results in regional competitions?
- Six years ago, I went to China for training but couldn't train because of pain. After examination there, it was discovered that more than half of two of my vertebrae were eroded, and my spine was curved inward. The doctors diagnosed me with spinal tuberculosis and advised me to stop training, otherwise it would be very dangerous (potentially leading to partial paralysis).
I returned to Vietnam and went to the Central Tuberculosis Institute for a check-up, but the results were still the same. The pain became more frequent and severe, I had to sleep curled up, and I walked with a hunched back. After about 5-6 months of treatment, missing gymnastics so much, I started going to the Quan Ngua Gymnastics Club to watch the children practice and do some light rehabilitation exercises.
After 12 months of treatment in Vietnam, I went to China for a check-up and found that my spine had healed considerably, and my back pain had subsided. The doctors said that the tuberculosis bacteria were gone and I could exercise, but should limit it. I asked my coach to let me resume training, and three months later, at the 24th SeaGames in Thailand, I won one gold and two silver medals.
- Hung's mother is from Nghe An. So, does Hung have any memorable experiences about his maternal hometown?
- When I was little, I loved going to Vinh City and Tan Ky District because my maternal grandmother, uncles, aunts, and siblings lived there. Because I was often training in China, I only got to return to Vietnam for Tet (Lunar New Year) and go back to my maternal grandparents' village with my parents and younger sister. Every time I went back, everyone took me to many places. When I went back to my grandparents' village, I especially loved eating "cu do" candy.
- What role has his mother played in Hung's life and sports career?
- My family isn't well-off, so my mother (Ngo Thi Van Hong) has worked various jobs like sewing clothes and selling bread to earn money for my siblings and me to eat, study, and train. She's always been there for me, encouraging me and taking care of everything, even the smallest things. My mother and family are a crucial motivation for me to compete and achieve success.
- What are Hung's goals for the future?
- Currently, my biggest goal this year is to perform well at the London Olympics, and even more importantly, to achieve something that will leave my own mark.
In the future, I hope to participate in another Olympic Games in 2016. After that, I will study abroad and return to work in something related to sports.
On the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities on April 18th, what message does Hung have for people with disabilities?
On International Day of Persons with Disabilities (April 18th), I would like to wish all people with disabilities, especially children and young people in unfortunate circumstances, good health, courage, strength, and a wealth of dreams to overcome all adversities and achieve their own successes!
Minh Quân -Perform