19-year-old Vietnamese swimmer Nguyen Thi Anh Vien has earned her nation’s ‘Athlete of the Year’ award, as voted by sports journalists from around Vietnam.
The swimmer from the city of Can Tho earned the most votes among the 10 finalists, which included track and field athlete Nguyen Thi Huyen, as well as tennis player Ly Hoang Nam. As captain of her Military Club, Vien trains under coach Dang Anh Tuan, who earned ‘Coach of the Year’ in the same poll.
Vien blasted a memorable performance at last year’s Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) over the summer in Singapore, winning an incredible 8 gold medals, 1 silver and one bronze over the course of the multi-national event. She broke 8 Games Records during the process.
Following that success, Vien became the first Vietnamese swimmer to win a FINA World Cup medal, first snatching up a silver and bronze in the 400m IM and 200m IM events at the Moscow stop of the series. Vien then scored a bronze in the women’s 400m IM at the Paris-hosted meet.
Vien also took home 7 gold and 5 silver medals from the Asian Age Group Championships which were held in Bangkok from October 1st-4th. Vien won gold in the 100, 200 and 1500 freestyle, the 200 and 400 IM as well as the 50 backstroke and 100 butterfly. Her silver medal haul included the 400 and 800 freestyle, 100 and 200 backstroke and the 200 butterfly.
Finally last year, Vien registered a new meet record in the women’s 200m IM while competing at the Military World Games, which took place in South Korea last October.
Vien has been consistently on the rise, representing her nation well on a number of levels. Last year she was one of 15 citizens to receive the 2015 Vietnam Glory Award, an award presented to Vietnamese people who have excelled in their specific aspect of life. She symbolized the first sportsperson to ever be recognized with the honor.