After 4 years, former SEA Games champion Trinh Van Vinh has officially finished his doping ban.

“February 5, 2019, February 5, 2023, 4 years in a lifetime is not long. But, 4 years for an athlete is a very long and arduous process. Closing the ban sentence. Writing a new page. Congratulations on your efforts and determination over the past 4 years will be compensated and rewarded accordingly. Wishing you more success in your new journey. Thank you to your family, parents, leadership, teachers, and close friends who have always believed in you...”, athlete Trinh Van Vinh shared.

In February 2019, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) announced a four-year ban for Trinh Van Vinh after his sample tested positive for doping, exogenous testosterone and another substance. The sample was taken in November 2018 while Trinh Van Vinh was preparing for the 8th National Sports Festival in 2018.

Trinh Van Vinh has finished his ban and has the opportunity to compete in international tournaments for the Vietnamese weightlifting team from 2023. Photo: Minh Minh

In the list of 21 team playersweightliftingVietnam gathered at the National Sports Training Center in Hanoi in 2023, Trinh Van Vinh was named and joined the team to practice right after the 2023 Lunar New Year holiday on the 6th day of Tet (January 25). Currently, Trinh Van Vinh is an athlete of Bac Ninh Sports.

At the 2017 SEA Games in Malaysia, Trinh Van Vinh was the athlete who won the gold medal in the men's 62kg category with a total lift of 307kg, which was recognized as a SEA Games record. At the 18th ASIAD 2018 in Indonesia, Trinh Van Vinh won the silver medal in the 62kg category.

Trinh Van Vinh was not allowed to attend the 31st SEA Games at home but was a member participating in the work of supporting the installation of weights and warming up for the players before the competition.