VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City's swimmers had struck gold many times over at the national swimming championships by the time the five-day competition came to a close yesterday (Sept 16) in Ha Noi.

Big fish: Da Nang-born swimmer Hoang Quy Phuoc has had a brilliant tournament, winning a record nine individual gold medals at a single championship. — Photo thethaovanhoa.vn

Power trio Nguyen Thi Kim Tuyen, Tran Duy Khoi and Lam Quang Nhat clinched 18 gold medals, 11 silver and eight bronze, dominating the medal tally ahead of Da Nang on second place with nine gold, three silver and two bronze.

Binh Phuoc came in third with three gold medals, followed by competitors Hai Phong, Quang Binh, Dong Nai and Quang Ninh. Ha Noi finished the competition in ninth place, scraping two silver medals.

Three national records were also broken at the competition. Da Nang's Hoang Quy Phuoc was the star of the tournament with nine gold medals and breaking his own national records in the men's 200m and 100m freestyle. The remaining record was set by Tran Duy Khoi in the men's 50m back.

Veteran swimmer Nguyen Huu Viet proved his best days may well be behind him as newcomers presented fresh hope for Viet Nam's swimming success at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Viet, who has failed to win any medal in the 2011 SEA Games after securing three gold medals for Viet Nam at three successive SEA Games, still proved stiff competition for those at the national swimming championships, winning all three gold medals for his city, Hai Phong, in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke events.

The 25-year-old, who has retired from the spotlight to focus on his studies at HCM City Sports University, plans to pursue a coaching career, although didn't rule out competing at the SEA Games in the future.

Viet is positive about the prospects for young swimmers and said that Hoang Quy Phuoc, Nguyen Thi Anh Vien, Nguyen Thi Kim Tuyen, Tran Duy Khoi could elevate the profile of Vietnamese swimming on regional and continental stages in future.

Source: VNS