Nghe An Sepak Takraw athlete determined to change medal color at SEA Games 31

Nguyen Thi My and her teammates are determined to change the color of the medals for Vietnamese sepak takraw in this congress. Photo: Contributor

Want to change medal color

Talking about the subjectrattaneveryone must acknowledge the strength of Thailand. Because this is the country that has produced the doubles, 3-team and 4-team events. Over the years, this country has always maintained a very strong and even source of athletes in all positions. Recently, Vietnamese sepak takraw has also been developing quite rapidly. However, 20 years have passed in theSEA Games, our team still has not been able to win any Gold Medals.

This time at the 2021 Southeast Asian Games, Vietnam's Sepak Takraw will compete at home. This is a great opportunity for Sepak Takraw in general and women's Sepak Takraw in particular to have a great chance to change the color of the medal.

The Vietnamese women's sepak takraw team participating in the 31st SEA Games includes Nguyen Thi My - an athlete who grew up at the Nghe An Sports Training and Competition Center and is one of five athletes from Nghe An participating in this tournament.

Coach Tran Thi Vui is perfecting her students' final techniques and tactics before competing at the 31st SEA Games. Photo: Contributor

Ms. Tran Thi Vui - Head Coach of Vietnam Women's Sepak Takraw said: "The current Vietnamese women's team is mostly made up of very young athletes (accounting for more than 50% of the team). Having My on the team is extremely important, because although she is young, she is one of the few athletes participating in this SEA Games with the most experience. I believe that with My's presence, Vietnam's women's Sepak Takraw will be able to balance between competitive spirit and youth in the team."

Born in 1998, Nguyen Thi My has been a member of the Vietnamese national sepak takraw team for 8 years and has brought many achievements to the country's sports. These include the 2019 World Silver Medal, 2018 Asiad Silver Medal, 2019 SEA Games Silver Medal, 2017 World Beach Gold Medal...

According to the assessment of the Vietnamese women's sepak takraw coaching board, My is a versatile athlete. With quickness, good reflexes, skillful feet and especially a very good physical foundation. Therefore, the athlete born in 1998 is often placed in the position of setter 2 in the team.

Coach Tran Thi Vui commented: “My is a versatile athlete, possessing many qualities such as technique, reflexes, tactical vision… My is one of the indispensable athletes in the team 4, team 3, and doubles events of Vietnamese sepak takraw.”

Tran Thi Thu Hoai - Vietnamese female sepak takraw athlete said: "The Vietnamese female sepak takraw team participating in this congress is a united team, built on long-term attachment to each other through daily life. With understanding and sharing, I think we will compete well together in this congress."

Hoai also added: “My is an athlete from Nghe An, that sunny and windy land has trained her to have a strong will, a thirst, and a fierceness in competition. With My in the team, we have a spiritual support to overcome all opponents, with the most fiery will.”

Nguyen Thi My (standing in the middle) is an indispensable setter for the Vietnamese women's sepak takraw participating in this tournament. Photo: Contributor

Nguyen Thi My shared: “In the days before the tournament, we had a long time to get used to the field and the lights. This is extremely important to help us get into the rhythm right away when we officially compete. Our most formidable opponent is Thailand. However, because each team is only allowed to participate in 3 out of 4 events at the 31st SEA Games, we do not have to face them in the doubles event. This is a great opportunity for Vietnamese sepak takraw to win the Gold Medal. In addition, we will try to win the highest medal in the 3rd team event. With the careful preparation of the whole team, good training conditions, and enthusiastic support from the home audience, I believe that we will be able to change the color of the medal after more than 20 years of waiting.”

Reaching the peak of your career

When talking about Nghe An women's rattan ball, people often mention athlete Nguyen Thi Quyen, who has been a big hit in Vietnam's rattan ball for many years. However, when this athlete born in 1989 has passed the other side of her career, it is very lucky for Nghe An sports that Nguyen Thi My has appeared. This is a face that is reaching maturity in her career, promising to continue the tradition that Nghe An rattan ball has had for many years.

Nguyen Thi My was born in Dien Tan commune, Dien Chau district. When My was in grade 6 at Dien Tan Secondary School, she emerged as a student with innate talent in sports. My was sent by the school to join the school's football team to participate in the Phu Dong Sports Festival at the provincial level. During a football match, Nguyen Thi My caught the eye of coach Ho Thi Minh Thuan of Nghe An Sports Training and Competition Center. After 2 years of training at the center, the girl born in 1998 has shown many qualities to become a top sepak takraw athlete in the future.

At this time, Nguyen Thi My is the gold medalist for Nghe An rattan ball. Photo: Contributor

Coach Hoang Huu Nghia - Nghe An Sports Training and Competition Center commented: “Nguyen Thi My is a naturally talented athlete. She has very flexible and “strange” legs. In addition, her reflexes and physical foundation are also her strengths. Especially, she has a lot of will and passion for this sport. She is a versatile athlete who can play well in many positions. No matter where she plays, My brings satisfaction to the coaching staff.”

2013 was the year when young talent Nguyen Thi My made her first mark in the Nghe An Sepak Takraw community. When she competed impressively and with her teammates won 2 Gold Medals at the National Sepak Takraw Youth Tournament and the National Sepak Takraw Championship. In the following years, Nguyen Thi My almost every year brought home a Gold Medal to add to the achievements of Nghe An sports tradition.

It can be said that My is currently the most promising Sepak Takraw athlete in Nghe An. With her desire to conquer the heights ahead, we have full confidence in her determination to win the Gold Medal for Sepak Takraw for Vietnam in this SEA Games.