The athlete from Nghe An who won two medals shares her thoughts after the 33rd SEA Games.
Making his debut at the SEA Games, jujitsu athlete Nguyen Tat Loc brought home one silver and one bronze medal for Vietnamese sports. Returning from the 33rd SEA Games, the martial artist from Nghe An shared his mixed feelings of joy, regret, and a desire to continue striving for greater achievements.
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PV:How does Loc feel right now, attending his first ever Congress?
Athlete Nguyen Tat Loc:I am very happy to participate in the SEA Games for the first time, a major event that I had previously only watched on the small screen. Wearing the national team jersey and competing in the atmosphere of the SEA Games is a very special experience. However, alongside the joy, there is also a little regret, because I had set a higher goal, hoping to win a gold medal. Since that goal hasn't been achieved, the feeling of disappointment still lingers.
PV:In the men's Ne-waza event, he was just one step away from the final. Could you share more about this disappointing match?
Athlete Nguyen Tat Loc:In the semi-final match, I faced an opponent from Singapore. Actually, there were only about 30 seconds left to finish the match, but due to a small mistake, I got drawn into my opponent's style of play. Then the situation turned around, and I lost by a very narrow margin. Losing by just one point would have been acceptable, but because the referee reviewed the footage and added points to my opponent's score, I no longer had a chance to correct my mistake. That's what I regret the most.
In the men's Ne-waza event, it must be said that the Singaporean opponent is the strongest. If I can overcome this opponent, my chances of winning the Gold Medal at the SEA Games 33 are extremely high, if not almost certain.
PV:And what lessons did Loc learn from the Mid Team fighting final (over 85kg)?
Athlete Nguyen Tat Loc:The mid-team competition was a real challenge for me. Normally, I compete in the under 77kg weight class, but because the 33rd SEA Games didn't include that weight class, I had to compete in the over 85kg class. When moving up to a higher weight class, I was clearly at a disadvantage in terms of physical strength and stamina compared to my opponents. The Thai fighters had excellent physiques and physical fitness. That final match helped me better understand my limits and realize the importance of competing in my preferred weight class.
PV:Based on this SEA Games, how would you assess the skill level of your Southeast Asian competitors in Jujitsu?
Athlete Nguyen Tat Loc:In Southeast Asia, Jujitsu is developing very rapidly. Singapore and Thailand are very strong competitors. Singapore has a good technical foundation, while Thailand is both physically strong and has international competition experience. However, I also see that Vietnamese Jujitsu is making significant progress. With more systematic investment and more international competition, we can absolutely compete on equal footing.
PV:During the preparation for the 33rd SEA Games, what was the biggest challenge Loc faced?
Athlete Nguyen Tat Loc:My biggest challenge was injury. Before the SEA Games, I suffered knee and ankle injuries, which interrupted my training. This significantly affected my performance and my competitive spirit. There were times when I worried that I wouldn't be in my best physical condition when I entered the Games.
PV:What does it mean to you personally to be the first athlete from Nghe An to win a medal at the 33rd SEA Games?
Athlete Nguyen Tat Loc:For me, it's a great source of pride. Jujitsu is a relatively new sport in Nghe An, so representing the province at the SEA Games and winning a medal is very special. I feel I've done something meaningful for myself and contributed a small part to the development of sports in Nghe An.
PV:What does the support and encouragement from the provincial leaders, as well as from the Nghe An Sports Training and Competition Center, mean to you?
Athlete Nguyen Tat Loc:I received a lot of attention and encouragement from the department's leaders, teachers, supporters from Nghe An, and family. In particular, the center's leaders always sent messages to check on me and encourage me before and during the competition. Even after I went to compete abroad, I still received well wishes and encouraging messages. This helped me feel much more confident when stepping onto the competition floor.
PV:After the 33rd SEA Games, what is Loc's immediate goal for himself?
Athlete Nguyen Tat Loc:My immediate goal is to focus on stabilizing my physical condition and preparing for regional tournaments. Looking further ahead, I aspire to participate in the Asian Championships and the 2026 National Games. These are important milestones for me to continue proving myself.
PV:To achieve those goals, what aspects do you think you need to improve?
Athlete Nguyen Tat Loc:I think the most important factor is still the competitive mindset. Besides that, physical fitness, strength, and technique are also crucial. I don't allow myself to become complacent with what I've achieved; instead, I see each training session as an opportunity to improve myself, learn from my teammates, and compete against opponents.
PV:Finally, what message does Loc want to send to young athletes from Nghe An who are pursuing a career in high-performance sports?
Athlete Nguyen Tat Loc:I want to say that failure is inevitable in sports. Everyone will stumble at some point, but what's important is not giving up. If you don't succeed today, try harder tomorrow. I myself have experienced many failures before winning medals. With perseverance and effort, success will eventually come.
PV:Thank you for this conversation!
