Vietnam eyes at least 12 gold medals in athletics at 33rd SEA Games

At the 30th SEA Games in 2019 in the Philippines, Vietnam’s athletics team dominated Southeast Asia with 16 gold medals, ahead of Thailand’s 12.

When hosting the 31st SEA Games in 2022, Vietnam reached a historic high with 22 gold medals in athletics, once again maintaining its regional supremacy.

However, at the 32nd SEA Games in 2023 in Cambodia, Vietnam’s athletics contingent claimed only 12 medal golds across 47 events, while Thailand secured the top position, with 16 gold medals.

For this year’s competition, Vietnam’s athletics program has set a more measured goal, aiming for 12-14 gold medals, according to its submission to the Sports Authority of Vietnam.

Head coach Nguyen Manh Hieu told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that runner Nguyen Thi Oanh remains the team’s biggest hope.

Oanh is expected to defend her dominance in the 1,500m, 3,000m hurdling, 5,000m, and 10,000m events.

Although she has registered for four events, sources told Tuoi Tre she will likely compete in three.

Vietnam will continue to focus on its traditional strengths in middle- and long-distance races, particularly the men’s and women’s 400m and 400m relays.

In contrast, the nation faces tougher competition in the short sprints (100m and 200m), where Thailand and Singapore currently have a clear edge.

A notable absence this year is Tran Thi Nhi Yen, a promising sprinter who previously competed in the women’s 100m and 200m events.

She has left the national team to pursue university studies, a significant setback for Vietnam, as she was regarded as one of the country’s brightest young talents in athletics.

Intensive training

As the SEA Games draw near, the national athletics squad has entered an intensive training phase both domestically and abroad.

In October, the women’s 400m team trained in France under coach Nguyen Thi Bac.

Meanwhile, the men’s 400m, 800m, and 1,500m teams, along with the high jump group, have been training in China.

At home, the long-distance and hurdling squads are training at the National Sports Training Center in Hanoi under the supervision of coach Nguyen Manh Hieu.

During the final month before the Games, coaches will carefully time the athletes’ performance peaks to ensure optimal results when they step onto the track in Thailand.