Nguyen Thi Anh Vien delivered a stunning performance at the Oceanman Maldives 2026, reaffirming her class despite having retired from professional competition years ago.

The Vietnamese swimmer claimed victory in the women’s 10km and 2km events, topped the 30-39 age group, and, together with her teammates, secured the team title.

International competitors were left surprised by her dominance, especially given that she is no longer in her competitive prime. In the women’s 10km race, Anh Vien produced one of the most remarkable moments of the event, finishing at the exact same time as the men’s winner in the same distance, clocking 2 hours 30 minutes and 22 seconds.

“It was a truly special day for me to swim in the beautiful setting of the Maldives. Even more meaningful was competing in a relay with my own students - a moment of pride and emotion,” she shared.

Anh Vien remains the most decorated swimmer in Vietnam’s history at the SEA Games, having won a total of 25 gold medals during her career.

Now, she runs a swimming center where she teaches children and shares free instructional videos on social media, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.

Her performance in Maldives not only highlighted her enduring ability but also served as an inspiration, showing that passion and discipline can transcend the boundaries of retirement.

Dai Nam