Tran Hieu Ngan - a national player of taekwondo, caused a shock to millions of Vietnamese worldwide at the Olympic Sydney 2000 when winning the firsr ever Olympic silver medal for Vietnam.
Victorious Pastime
On September 28, 2000 at Olympic Sidney, a victory in the taekwondo event stunned
millions of Vietnamese people worldwide. The person giving them this happiness is a small Vietnamese girl named Tran Hieu Ngan, a taekwondo athlete of Vietnam Taekwondo team.
Only second to a strong opponent from the country of taekwondo, Korea, in the final match of the 48kg category, Tran Hieu Ngan won the silver medal, becoming the first Vietnamese Olympic medal winner in the history of Vietnamese sport.
Tran Hieu Ngan came to taekwondo in 1987 and participated in the taekwondo movement in Phu Yen province in the same year. Starting in the national championship in 1990, Hieu Ngan won the first national champion title in 1993 and joined the national taekwondo team in Ho Chi Minh city in 1994.
Starting to compete in international tournaments in 1995, Hieu Ngan continuously won precious gold medals, promoting the image of Vietnam taekwondo. Her medal collection includes two golds at the 15th SEA Games and the Asian Taekwondo Championship in 1998, three bronzes at ASEAN Taekwondo Championship in 1996 and 1997, and ASIAD –Thailand 1998. Winning silver at SEA Games in 1999, Hieu Ngan won the ticket to Olympic Sidney and was ranked No.1 in Asia.
The Champion Today
After Olympic Sidney, Tran Hieu Ngan got married in 2001 and said goodbye to professional competitions. She shifted to the training task and office work at the headquarter of Ho Chi Minh City Martial Arts Association, in the same year.
She is now in charge of training taekwondo talents and is a cashier of Ho Chi Minh City Martial Association. When asked about the present life, Hieu Ngan said, “I am very happy with my present life”. She means her 4-year daughter and devoted husband.
In some quiet minutes reflection when asked about what she would look forward to in the years to come, Hieu Ngan did not hesitate to reveale the expectation of whoever is a trainer. She said, “For Vietnam Taekwondo, I wish young players will win more gold medals for Vietnam.”
How about herself? She smiled and said: “For my family, my daughter will be a girl of good health, behavior, education, and manner to become a good citizen. That is what I expect for myself.”
Simplicity, honesty, modesty and a good sense of humour are what you can find in Tran Hieu Ngan if you once talk to her.
