Dat le

Started: He took up Para swimming while he was studying at Can Tho University in Vietnam. (dantri.com.vn, 20 Apr 2011) Reason: "I am from Dong Thap Province, where there was a river, so I was able to swim from a young age. When I learned that there were swimming competitions for people with an impairment, my uncles and aunts told me to register." (dantri.com.vn, 20 Apr 2011) Awards: In 2023 he received the Third-Class Labour Medal in Vietnam. (tdtt.gov.vn, 16 Dec 2023) In 2015 he received a sporting achievement award from the Vietnam Paralympic Association. (tdtt.gov.vn, 11 Aug 2015) Additional Info: EARLY DAYS In 2009 he decided to leave swimming after graduating university because there were not many Para swimming tournaments in Vietnam. After spending time looking for a job, in 2011 he decided to return to training. "Applying for a job was difficult. I was sad. But luckily there was still swimming. [Para] swimming was developing at that time [in 2011], and I realised I had enough ability to compete for medals. I thought I would continue to swim and think about it [getting a job] later. It was a challenging time." (tdtt.gov.vn, 16 Dec 2023; webthethao.vn, 26 Nov 2023)