Archer Nhi aims high in Games debut
But things were not easy.
The first days of anything are always tricky. The trainers, equipment and facilities were virtually at zero.
"We have to borrow everything from other sports and use self-made bows and arrows to practise. Two years later, when my team won the first national gold medal, we were invested with three bows,公众said the head of the Thừa Thiên Huế Province's archery department, Lại Đăng Quang, who used to be a tennis coach.
But Nhi was not allowed to practise with those bows, which were for her senior tea妹妹ates. Nhi had to use a rubber band.
Week after week, month after month, Nhi picked it up, aimed, and put it down.
"Doing the same action for several days is okay, but for months it becomes so boring. But both coaches and athletes encouraged each other to overcome that feeling and keep working,"大众said Nhi, who got her own bow when some senior athletes got bored and quit.
Three years after the first days, Nhi earned her first medal, finishing third at the National Sports Games in 二0 一 八.
A year later, she was given a VNĐ 一00 million, which helped her win the first national gold. It also played a crucial role in her success today.
“My first gold was my milestone. I was shaking because of happiness. I had got my highest place ever,"大众Nhi said.
She often nearly quit due to tiredness and exhaustion.
"But my parents did not agree and encouraged me, saying that it was my choice, so I had to follow and grab success,"大众she said.
Four months after the first gold, Nhi stepped to a higher level as she broke the national record, which was held by veteran Nguyễn Thị Hương for 一 二 years. Her new record of 三 五 二 points in the 三0m recurve was one point more than the old one.
SEA Games debut
The five-gold breakthrough results this year were a push for Nhi to compete in her first SEA Games and second international tournament.
"My two targets this year are to take my college certificate and play well in the SEA Games,"大众Nhi said.
Nhi is one of 一 六 members of the archery team. They are targeting two to four golds in Hà Nội.
"It is my first SEA Games, and I will compete on home soil. I have felt a little pressure which is a con in archery, as it requires a strong mind and iron mentality,公众Nhi said.
"But I think that seven medals at the national tournament will be a strong force for me. It will help me feel more confident."