“Tuan has a lot of experience via international events, but Tuan’s biggest rival is himself,” added Chi.
Tuan, who was born in the southern province of Binh Thuan, has had very stable results over the past three years. At the World Weightlifting Championships in 2014, his performance of 286kg in the total lift was equivalent to Om’s result, but Tuan came second because he was heavier than his rival by 40g. At the world event last year, Tuan only bagged a bronze medal with a total lift of 287kg as he was suffering from a knee injury.
Vietnam is also pinning its hopes on weightlifter Vuong Thi Huyen, who won two silvers and a bronze in the women’s 48kg at the World Weightlifting Championships last year. She also won a silver medal in the Asian championships in April and two gold medals at the Asian event held last year.
Vietnamese weightlifters will start their competition on August 7.