Gymnast Nguyễn Minh Triết passed away at age 18 on May 9 six months after he was seriously injured in training.

Triết dislocated his C5 and C6 vertebrae at the National Sports Training Centre 1.

This caused paralysis of the limbs and strongly affecting his respiratory system. After emergency surgery, doctors said Triết had only a 10 per cent chance of making a full recovery.

After nearly six months of treatment, he did not show any progress and died on May 9 although doctors tried their best and his family received strong support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Sports Authority of Việt Nam, the Việt Nam Gymnastics Federation and the public. 

Triết was considered to have a bright future as a gymnast. The member of the Military Team and the national junior squad was expected to join the national team in the near future.

"It is a huge loss of Việt Nam's gymnastics. Now I wish he will rest in peace," said coach Hầu Trung Linh.

His funeral will be held on May 11 at the Hà Nội's Thanh Nhàn Hospital. VNS