LookAtVietnam – After showing off her masterful skills to win five of six gold medals at the National Rhythmic Championship in Ha Noi, Truong Mai Nhat Linh, 13,

Split second: Truong Mai Nhat Linh, 13, performs the women’s rope event at the National Rhythmic Championship in Ha Noi. She showed off her masterful skills to win five of six gold medals.

Three years ago, Linh broke into tears when her hoop flew out of her hand during the individual round at the national championship, but she still managed to take home the bronze.

However, because she is two years under the age requirement, she is ineligible to join the national squad to compete at the Southeast Asian Gymnastics Championship later this month.

“It’s a pity, but she has to wait. It’s a Southeast Asian Championship regulation,” said head of the gymnastics section of the National Sports Administration, Nguyen Kim Lan.

“There will not be a gymnastics competition at the 25th Southeast Asian Games in Laos this December, but I hope Linh will have other opportunities to compete for Viet Nam.”

At the national championships, which ended at Ha Noi’s Quan Ngua Sports Centre, Linh scored more than 22 points on average for her performances in rope, hoop and ball, clearing three points over the runners-up.

“Linh began with straight gymnastics in Ukraine, but I suggested she should try rhythmic,” said her mother, Trinh Thi Kim Van.

“I had to stop working to take care of her and our two boys. Linh studies in the mornings and then trains for three or four hours every day,” Van said.

Linh was called by the national team last year to take over for Nguyen Thu Ha, who retired from competition six years ago.

Investment lacking

“Viet Nam is one of the top countries in the Southeast Asia region, but we have problems recruiting gymnasts for the national squad. Local sport departments are hesitant to fund gymnastics because the costs are high and the athletes would not necessarily win medals in the near future,” said Lan.

Gymnasts are a long-term investment. They need to train for at least seven years before achieving success in regional competitions. Localities and people would rather invest in sports that will show quicker results, she added.

Only Ha Noi and HCM City have had key gymnastics and rhythmic centres for the past two decades.

At the 13th ASEAN University Games, 13-year-old Linh won four bronzes in the all-around, ribbon, ball and team events, and she was the first Vietnamese athlete to participate in the rhythmic competition at the World Youth Gymnastics Championship in Kiev, Ukraine two months ago.

Linh has resumed her training and education in Odessa, but many expect her to be a shining star for Viet Nam in the future. Her success at big games will hopefully trigger a prolonged investment for the sport in Viet Nam in coming years.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News