Vietnamese swimmer Nguyen Quang Thuan won his first SEA Games gold medal and set a new record in the men’s 400m individual medley on the evening of December 12  -  a performance that moved his sister, legendary swimmer Anh Vien, to tears.

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Quang Thuan competing in the men’s 400m individual medley at SEA Games 33. 

“I know exactly what you’ve been through,” Anh Vien wrote in an emotional message to her younger brother. “You’ve worked hard for the past ten years, and today your efforts were finally rewarded. Our whole family is so proud of you. Keep going  -  this is only the beginning. I truly believe the best is still ahead for you.”

Competing in Lane 5, Quang Thuan pulled ahead early and maintained a strong pace throughout the race.

He surged forward during the breaststroke and freestyle legs  -  his strongest strokes  -  and finished in first place with a time of 4 minutes 19.98 seconds, breaking the SEA Games record of 4:20.65 set by his senior teammate, Tran Hung Nguyen.

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Quang Thuan celebrates after breaking Tran Hung Nguyen’s SEA Games record. 

This victory not only brought Quang Thuan his first SEA Games gold, but also marked a symbolic moment for Vietnamese swimming fans, who were reminded of Anh Vien  -  one of the country's most decorated athletes, with 25 SEA Games gold medals.

Though this wasn’t his first appearance at the SEA Games, the 19-year-old swimmer finally announced his arrival with a record-breaking performance.

“I didn’t go into the race thinking about records,” Quang Thuan said after the win. “I just told myself to do my best. My goal at SEA Games 33 was to push my limits and give everything I had in every event.”

He added: “Breaking the record by a full second  -  especially one set by someone as great as anh Nguyen  -  was the result of relentless training. I know I still have a long way to go. This is just my first gold medal after three SEA Games appearances.”

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Quang Thuan (right) carries on the swimming legacy of his sister, Anh Vien. 

Thuan also spoke about the pressure  -  and inspiration  -  of being the younger brother of Vietnam’s swimming legend.

“With the reputation and achievements my sister has earned at the SEA Games, I know I’m still far behind her,” he said. “But it’s not a burden  -  it’s motivation.”

Dai Nam