VietNamNet Bridge - Bodybuilder Pham Van Mach owns a huge collection of medals. In 2009, he was crowned as the world champion and won the Asian title for the fifth time in a row.

Pham Van Mach still king at bodybuilding champs

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Like many other athletes, Mach joined the sport to improve his health, but soon realized that bodybuilding was his true passion.

When he turned eighteen, the An Giang-based athlete won his first national title. His performances always had a great impact on juries and audiences, especially with his music and movements.

When he was younger, Mach won many A prizes at high school singing contests in Long Xuyen. He could sing revolutionary songs, play pop and rock music and even perform rap. Before becoming a bodybuilder, he had a career as a master of ceremonies at Hoa Binh dance hall in Long An province.

“My job as a master of ceremonies at that time helped me gain a lot of experience and confidence on stage, which has contributed to my success today”, reasoned Mach.

“My small form may be the reason why I chose bodybuilding,” he surmised. “Sticking to this sport for more than ten years, I have achieved a lot. I feel really satisfied with my choice and will devote all my life to it. When I retire, I want to become a trainer to pass along all of my experiences to young athletes.”

The 30 year-old bodybuilder has become one of the most successful Vietnamese athletes, stepping into the world’s top spot and Asian championships many times. Yet Mach remains modest.

“I have strived and sacrificed a lot for my success today,” he asserted. “I would be nothing without the help of my coach, Huynh Anh, as well as other senior athletes such as Ly Duc, Giap Tri Dung, Cao Quoc Phu, among others. I am so lucky because there are many good role models around me. I have learned professionalism from Coach Huynh Anh and the value of hard work from Ly Duc.”

“Pham Van Mach is such a professional. He always practices in a serious and conscientious manner”, noted bodybuilder Ly Duc.

Huynh Anh, the coach of the Vietnamese national bodybuilding team, is completely happy with his student. “Bodybuilding is a tough sport and requires many sacrifices from athletes,” Huynh Anh remarked. “I have never heard any complaints from him. Working hard, keeping balance in his life and having good relationships with his teammates are amongst Mach’s advantages.”

Apart from his time spent with the national team, Pham Van Mach now runs his own gym where he is always willing to share his knowledge to young sports lovers.

PV