Biography
Started: He began Para powerlifting in 2005 at the Sport and Cultural Centre of Tan Binh District in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (Athlete, 03 Dec 2017)
Ambition: To win gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (nhandan.vn, 23 Aug 2023; paralympic.org.vn, 07 Sep 2023)
Milestones: At the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo his silver medal in the men's 49kg category made him the first Vietnamese athlete to win more than one career Paralympic medal. (SportsDeskOnline, 01 Jul 2024)
He became the first Vietnamese athlete from any sport to win a medal at the Paralympic Games when he won gold in the 49kg category at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. (kenh14.vn, 22 Dec 2016; paralympic.org, 2017; SportsDeskOnline, 10 Jul 2024)
Awards: He and fellow powerlifter Hoang Tuyet Loan Chau were Vietnam's flag bearers at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (medias.paris2024.org, 28 Aug 2024)
He was named an Excellent Para Athlete for 2023 at the Vietnam Sports Glory awards in Hanoi, Vietnam. (thethaovietnamplus.vn, 23 Mar 2024)
Additional Info: MEDAL AUCTION
In October 2019 he auctioned the gold medal he won in the 49kg category at the 2016 World Cup event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to help his neighbour's granddaughter who was suffering from liver cancer. The medal was eventually sold for 125 million Vietnamese dong. "The medal is just a symbol, I was afraid no one will buy it so I didn't put a starting price. It is a medal of great value to me, both physically and mentally. I went through a difficult training regime to win it." (nld.com.vn, 11 Aug 2020; thethaovanhoa.vn, 04 Jan 2020; qdnd.vn, 12 Nov 2019; nld.com.vn, 02 Nov 2019)
OCCUPATION
He established an electronics repair business from his home in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and has co-owned a corn farm in Cu Chi district. He has also worked in real estate. (baohatinh.vn, 13 Feb 2024; nld.com.vn, 11 Aug 2020; thanhnien.vn, 11 Aug 2020; kenh14.vn, 22 Dec 2016)
OTHER ACTIVITY
He has served as a board member for the Vietnam Paralympic Association. (tuoitre.vn, 12 Apr 2024)
Frequently Asked Questions
Personal Details
GenderMale
Birth DateJune 20, 1984
Place of ResidenceHO CHI MINH CITY
OccupationAthlete, Electronics Technician
EducationIndustrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Languages SpokenVietnamese
CoachLe Quang Thai [national]
Highlights
| Rank | Event | Year | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paralympic Games | ||||
| 1 | -49kg | 2016 | Rio de Janeiro, BRA | 181 |
| 2 | -49kg | 2020 | Tokyo, JPN | 173 |
| NoM | Men's 48kg | 2008 | Beijing, CHN | NoM |
| World Championships | ||||
| 1 | -49kg | 2023 | Dubai, UAE | 176 |
| 1 | -49kg | 2017 | Mexico City, MEX | 181.0 |
| 2 | -49kg | 2021 | Tbilisi, GEO | 170 |
| 2 | -49kg | 2014 | Dubai, UAE | 180.0 |
| 2 | Men's 48kg | 2010 | Kuala Lumpur, MAS | 165.0 |
| 4 | -49kg | 2019 | Nur-Sultan, KAZ | 165 |
| Asian Para Games | ||||
| 3 | -49kg | 2022 | Hangzhou, CHN | 173 |
