LookAtVietnam – Nguyen Huu Viet of Hai Phong broke three national records at the National Short Course Swimming Championships in Ha Noi.

Earlier that day, the two-time Olympic athlete broke two records in the 100m and 200m breaststroke in the 25m pool.

“Viet is still the golden hope for Viet Nam at the Asian Indoor Games and SEA Games. He has sustained his form since the 23rd SEA Games in the Philippines in 2005,” said general secretary of the Viet Nam Aquatic Sport Association, Dinh Viet Hung.

At the Philippines’ SEA Games, Viet took home a gold medal in the 100m breaststroke, an event the country hadn’t seen a gold in for 32 years.

Nguyen Huu Viet and the national team will soon leave for China in preparation for the Laos SEA Games.

“Viet and his national teammates will have a better chance to hone their skills against Chinese swimmers in China - where they have joined in prolonged training,” said Hung, Viet Nam Aquatic Sport Association general secretary.

However, at last Sunday’s championships, HCM City athletes dominated the medals table, bagging 17 golds, 19 silvers and eight bronzes.

Teen sensation Hoang Quy Phuoc, 16, took four gold medals at the championship to help Da Nang take second place with nine gold, three silver and seven bronze medals, edging Ha Noi, who ranked third with eight golds, five silvers and two bronzes.

“Phuoc has been a rising star since he debuted at the championship last year. But he needs more time to test his skills and experience. I’m sure that Phuoc will surprise everyone at international competitions in the future,” said Hung.

The Da Nang-born athlete also added his name to the list of record-breakers by swimming the men’s 50m freestyle in 23.76 last week.

Athletes from teams nationwide are competing for 26 medal sets in finswimming events.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News