Medals give Tuan star status

Thach Kim Tuan is developing into Viet Nam's new weightlifting star, following his recent achievement at the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The young talent won one gold and two silver medals there, finishing behind a Chinese weight lifter in the 56kg category in the snatch and total lift event, however, Tuan took the lead in the clean and jerk event.

Tuan continued the form he showed when he brought home three silver medals at the World Youth Championship last May.

These were the first two international events which the 16-year-old weight lifter had taken part in, made possible by financial support from HCM City sport's department.

Tuan, who joined the HCM City weightlifting team in late 2006, had to lose four kilos in weight in order to drop from 54kg to 50kg to compete in Thailand's World Youth Championship.

Just one day before the competition started, Tuan once again had to lose weight because he had gained an additional kilo to weigh 51kg.

He abstained from food and walked up and down an 11-storey building. As a result he won three silver medals and secured a place at the First Youth Olympic Games, which will be held in Singapore on August 14-26.

Do Dinh Khang, head of the wrestling-weightlifting section of the National Sports Administration said Tuan's achievement in this event had been outstanding, and were a testament to his stamina in 2009.

Tuan and female weight lifter Nguyen Thi Hong, who won bronze at the Chiang Mai event, will represent Viet Nam in the Olympic event.

"Tuan, who is trained by a domestic coach, is better by far than other weight lifters because of his tough training regime and disciplined psychology. His beginning successes are a good sign for HCM City weightlifting," said coach Huynh Huu Chi.

Tuan was born to a poor family in the central province of Binh Thuan. His father is Cambodian while his mother died in a traffic accident when he was only three years old. He grew up thanks to his oldest sister.

Having moved from Binh Thuan, Tuan and his siblings currently rent a house in Go Vap District, HCM City.

Tuan's chance came through a visit to his house from HCM City weightlifting coach Chi through an introduction of Tuan's friend, a weight lifter of municipal team. "Chi talked to my sister and a week later, I was taken to Phu Tho Gymnasium. Chi asked me to do some exercises and then he agreed I could train with his team. It was in late 2006, I was 12 years old and weighed 35kg," Tuan recalls.

Tuan was only too happy to train with Chi's team. Everyday, he went to his training place by bus, then his sister bought a bicycle for him. Thanks to his success at international events, he had enough money to buy a motorbike.

"I will try my best to train and compete in order to win a bonus big enough to buy a house for my siblings," Tuan said. - VNS