Trịnh Văn Vinh will represent Việt Nam in weightlifting at the Paris Olympic Games 2024. - VNS Photo Quý Lượng

HÀ NỘI — Trịnh Văn Vinh has clinched Việt Nam's sixth spot at the Paris Olympic Games.

Vinh and teammate Nguyễn Trần Anh Tuấn took part in group B of the men's 61kg class at the International Weightlifting Federation World Cup in Phuket, Thailand, on April 2.

In the snatch category Tuấn took third place, but struggled in the clean and jerk, unable to register in the rankings.

Vinh’s overall results of 131kg in snatch and 163kg in clean and jerk were enough to place sixth, confirm his world number nine ranking, and guarantee a place at this summer’s games.

Olympic spots are given to the top 10 athletes of each category where each country will have only one representative, and no more than three men and three women per nation can be qualified for Paris.

Vinh had been training hard prior to the Thailand event, despite carrying an injury. He was one of Việt Nam's top lifters, winning a number of world titles, but was suspended from the sport for four years after a doping ban. He returned to action last year.

Vinh’s success means Việt Nam has had weightlifters at the last six Olympic games.

The five other athletes who will fly the flag for Việt Nam in Paris are cyclist Nguyễn Thị Thật, markswomen Trịnh Thu Vinh and Lê Thị Mộng Tuyền, swimmer Nguyễn Huy Hoàng and boxer Võ Thị Kim Ánh. VNS