Shooting

Asian Games champion Phạm Quang Huy (second, right) aims to win Việt Nam's third Olympic spot in shooting. — VNS Photo Quý Lượng

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese athletes target at least one more Olympic spot at the World Shooting Championship, an Olympics qualification, next month in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Currently, Việt Nam has two markswomen qualified for the Paris Games. They are Trịnh Thu Vinh in the 25m pistol and Lê Thị Mộng Tuyền in the 10m air rifle.

Phạm Quang Huy carries the highest expectations, after he took gold in the men's 10m air pistol at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023.

Huy and his teammate Trịnh Thu Vinh are Asian champions in the mixed doubles 10m air pistol.

"My goal is a spot at the upcoming Olympics. This is always the target of any competitor," Huy said. "I have been receiving strong support from the national coaches and sport officials, which is the motivation for my best performance at the qualifier."

As planned, 10 shooters will take part in the world event, their last chance for Paris, from April 10-21.

Head coach Park Chung-gun said that his athletes trained at highest intensity for the last qualifier.

Trịnh Thu VInh will take part in several training camps and competitions to prepare for her Olympic medal dream. — Photo webthethao.vn

The team will have an intensive training course in South Korea from March 25 to April 5 to ensure their peak performance and earn at least one spot in Brazil.

He said Vinh and Tuyền will prepare for their Olympic competition while the rest including Huy and other key shooters – Lại Công Minh, Phí Thanh Thảo and Hà Minh Thành – would keep focused on winning their slots.

A big bonus of VNĐ50 million (US$2,000) is up for any Olympic qualifier and medal winner this time.

After Rio, they will take part in the Azerbaijan World Cup from May 1-11 and Germany World Cup from May 30-June 8.

They will have two training camps in South Korea and Europe in July before taking part in the Paris Games.

The Việt Nam Shooting Federation also promised to deliver VNĐ500 million for an Olympic champion, while it is VNĐ300 million and VNĐ200 million for silver and bronze, respectively.

The bonus may be increased if the federation has additional funding resources.

"Athletes are given the best conditions in training and nutrition support, and sent to international tournaments to improve their technique and competition mindset," said Vũ Thị Anh Đào, official of the Sports Authority of Việt Nam, who is in charge of Shooting Department.

"My players are all in good health and ability, and are eager to do their best in the Brazil competition."

Việt Nam's best Olympic result was one gold and one silver of legend Hoàng Xuân Vinh at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. — VNS