LookAtVietnam – Olympian Nguyen Huu Viet will lead Viet Nam’s swimming team splashing into the Southeast Asian Games in Laos next month.

Nguyen Huu Viet.

The two-time Olympian, from Hai Phong, the Army’s Nguyen Thanh Hai and Hanoians Do Huy Long and Vo Thai Nguyen, who are all training in China, will make a powerful squad in the race for gold. The four top athletes will carry the nation’s hopes as they have been in top form during training with Chinese swimmers.

Viet has kept his momentum in the 50m and 100m breaststroke since the World Swimming Championship in Italy in July.

The 21-year-old swimmer set a new record in the men’s 200m breaststroke with a time of 2:16.61 at the National Swimming Championships in September, wiping out the 2:17:00 record he set at the Roma World Championship.

But the 100m breaststroke is Viet’s favourite as he has clinched the gold medal twice in the SEA Games 2005-07.

At the third Asian Indoor Games hosted by Viet Nam, the Hai Phong-born athlete finished second for a silver in the 50m and a bronze medal in 100m.

He also broke records in both.

“I am happy with Viet as he has gradually improved in every training session. I hope he will do his best in the 100 and win gold in the 200,” said Viet Nam coach Dang Anh Tuan.

“Apart from Viet, I have hopes for Nguyen Huy Long in the backstroke; Nguyen Thanh Hai in the freestyle and Vo Thai Nguyen in the butterfly. These athletes will also compete in the medley relay event.” Tuan said.

The women’s swimming team has a mixture of youth and experience.

Trio An Do Hanh and Vo Thi Thanh Vy are veterans of two SEA Games, but fifteen year-old Nguyen Thi Kim Tuyen has emerged as the best chance for Viet Nam.

At the national championship in Ha Noi two months ago, the HCM City-based swimmer broke eight records, of which six were in individual events.

According to Viet Nam Aquatic Sports Association (VASA)’s general secretary Dinh Viet Hung, Viet Nam will send 10 State funded swimmers, while local athletes will compete under business sponsorship.

“The association will seek funds for a cash-prize from businesses to encourage athletes competing at the SEA Games,” said VASA’s head office Nguyen Thu Hang.

“Over the last three years, VASA has engaged sponsors to fund national competitions and contribute prize money at international events.”

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News