VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam’s golden judo girl Van Ngoc Tu has decided to retire and work as a trainer.

Van Ngoc Tu (right) quits competition maps to focus on training works. — VNS Photo

The two-time Olympian was present at the National Judo Championship, which wrapped up earlier this week, but she did not compete; instead, she guided her athletes from the Military Zone 9 club.

Tu said she decided to stop competing after the Asian Beach Games in Da Nang in September, but had not officially announced her retirement.

“I am getting old and I want to continue with judo as a coach, although I think I could take part in international tournaments for one or two more years,” Tu said.

The 29-year-old, who has a large collection of titles to her name, has participated in judo tournaments for 17 years now, since 1999. During this period, she not only dominated the national championships but also reined at regional events and in Southeast Asian Games. She is the only judoka who won a berth in Olympics twice in a row, in London 2012 and in Rio de Janeiro this year.

Tu will now coach the national team, apart from her job at the Military Zone 9 club. 

VNS