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The young swimmer from the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho broke the national record for the women’s 200m backstroke event and won the Asian silver medal on November 18.
Anh Vien made an impressive achievement in the qualifying round when she finished third with 2 minutes 15 seconds 05, only behind Marie Kamizuka of Japan (2 minutes 13 seconds 45) and Bai Anqi of China (2 minutes 14 seconds 85).
But in the final competition, Anh Vien overcame Marie Kamikuza in the last meters and reached the finishing line after 2 minutes 12 seconds 47, breaking the national record. With this achievement, Anh Vien won the runner-up position, after Bai Anqi of China (2 minutes 11 seconds 38).
Anh Vien is the only Vietnamese swimmer who has won medals at the Asian Swimming Championships. This is also the first Asian medal for Vietnam’s swimming.
Being discovered in 2010, Anh Vien early revealed her talent when she won six gold, three silver and two bronze medals, breaking two Southeast Asia records at the Southeast Asia Swimming Tournament in June 2011.
By the end of the year, at the age of 15, Vien won two silver medals at the SEA Games 26. Her gold medal for the women’s 400-meter mixture event is the highest achievement of Vietnamese female swimmers so far.
This medal has been expected for 45 years, since the gold medal of Vu Thi Sen at GANEFO 1966. In addition, Anh Vien’s silver medal for the women’s 100 meter backstroke event is highly appreciated because her rival included Li Tao of Singapore, who won the Olympic silver medal in 2008 and an Asiad gold medal in 2010.
In 2012, Anh Vien won five gold medals at the Southeast Asia Swimming Champs then won the right to participate in the Olympics London.
Mr. Dinh Viet Hung, General Secretary of the Vietnam Aquatic Sports Association praised Anh Vien as "the jewel of Vietnam’s swimming".
In preparation for the 2014 Asian Games, Anh Vien and Hoang Quy Phuoc are listed as young talents who will become key swimmers of Vietnam.
Compiled by Nam Nguyen
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