Vietnamese woman wins medals at SE Asia swimming competition at 65
Tuesday, July 23, 2019, 14:21 GMT+7
A senior woman in Ho Chi Minh City has taken home three medals at a swimming contest for the middle-aged in Southeast Asia, even though she is only an amateur swimmer who took up the sport in her fifties.
Tang Duy Ngoc was living the time of her life as she finally got to fulfill her childhood desire for swimming and gained a lot of achievements as an amateur swimmer.
She found her interest in swimming at the age of ten but later had to call it off due to financial problems and other life limitations at that time.
“Swimming was considered a pricey hobby at that time and only wealthy people could afford it,” she explained.
Ngoc then got married and was so carried away with her life circle of household chores, financial conditions and also her children that she did not have time to think about her own dream and happiness.
It was not until she reached the age of 52 and all her children had settled down with their lives that she began to consider taking up swimming.
|
|
| Tang Duy Ngoc holds two medals for swimming and smiles in pride. Photo: Tuoi Tre |
Ngoc retired in 2006 and registered for a swimming course at a local sports center to find the last happiness in her life.
She was a fast learner and always stayed focused in each lesson, allowing her to master various styles of swimming in a short time despite many limitations for people her age.
“I feel the most confident and proud of myself when I am underwater,” she recalled the happiness when she mastered the first style of swimming.
Ngoc spent three hours a day practicing swimming, took part in local swimming competitions and had won a lot of prizes and certificates ever since.
At the maiden SEA Masters Swimming Championships in Jakarta in March, Ngoc won two individual silver medals and one team bronze.
“Swimming has become an essential part of my daily life and I am glad that I overcame my fear to take it up,” Ngoc’s eyes gleamed with pride.
She also offered to teach people her age to swim and encouraged others, including her children, to follow what their heart desired before getting old.
“You only live once, so make the most of it,” said the 65-year-old amateur swimmer.
|
|
| A photo of Ngoc’s certificate for her achievements at the SEA Masters Swimming Championships. Photo: Tuoi Tre |
This story is part of our series on Vietnamese who managed to fulfill their dreams at a late age.
>> Vietnamese woman attends university to pursue study path in her 60s
>> Overseas Vietnamese sets up fashion design business in his 60s
>> Vietnamese man, 67, makes yearly habit of cycling cross-country
>> Vietnamese elderly woman learns to play musical instruments at 80
Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
