Members of the Vietnamese delegation for ASIAD 2018 pose for a photo after the flag raising ceremony on August 16 (Photo: VNA)Jakarta (VNA) – All members of theVietnamese delegation for the 18th Asian Games (ASIAD 2018) in Indonesiaofficially began training on August 16, so as to deliver their strongest performancesat the quadrennial continental event.
Equipment for the gymnastics team will not beready until August 18, however athletes started their training anyway on August16. The morale, strength, and health of the gymnasts have all been stablefollowing their long journey, head of the gymnastics team Bui Trung Thien said,adding that all members are ready to fulfil their duties.
Meanwhile, Vietnamese swimmers had already takenpart in four training sessions by August 16. Similarly, all of their health andmorale have been guaranteed since arriving in Jakarta, according to head of theswimming team Nguyen Trong Toan.
He added that Nguyen Thi Anh Vien, Vietnam’sgolden hope for the swimming category, is also actively making preparations.She is set to compete in four events which will be finalised at the team’smeeting later.
Aside from preparing for specialist skills,another important task before ASIAD 2018 officially kicks off is ensuringathletes maintain a high morale as the closer the Games comes, the morepressure they feel, especially those with high expectations from outstanding achievementsat previous events.
[Photos: Vietnamese flag flies at ASIAD 18]
Gymnastics coach Truong Tuan Hien said that inhis team, coaches never let their athletes face the medal pressure, instead onlyrequesting them to overcome their own goals and performing their best as theyhave done in practice.
He expressed how this can help their confidenceas they enter the competitions.
Many other athletes also aim to overcome themselvesat ASIAD 2018. Anh Vien noted that she has high hopes for herself as she previouslywon two bronze medals at the ASIAD in the Republic of Korea, a large drivingforce for her this year.
The 22-year-old swimmer said she is determinedand hopes that she can change her medals’ colour at this ASIAD.
The Vietnamese delegation to ASIAD 2018 consistsof 532 members, including 352 athletes. It aims to snatch a minimum of threegold medals, with at least one in an Olympic sports category.
The Games will be officially held in two majorcities of Indonesia – Jakarta and Palembang – from August 18 to September 2,with the participation of athletes from 45 countries and territories.
At the previous Games, Vietnam pocketed onegold, 10 silver, and 25 bronze medals, ranking 21st in the medal standings.–VNA
VNA
