Athletes with disabilities seen at the Asian Para Games last year. They are diligently preparing for the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Photo webthethao.com.vn

Paralympics

HÀ NỘI Vietnamese athletes with disabilities are working hard to get ready for the 2024 Paris Paralympics, scheduled to take place from August 28 to September 8 in France.

Phạm Đông Anh, in charge of sports for people with disabilities at the Department of Sports, said that the athletes have been getting additional support since the beginning of the year, from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. They have been training overseas under experts, also hired by the Department, to get ready for the Paris Paralympic qualifying tournaments, which include the World Athletics Championships in Japan, the World Weightlifting Championships, the World Aquatics Championships and badminton tournaments.

"The goal of Vietnamese athletes with disabilities is to secure approximately eight slots (both official tickets and wild cards) to participate in the Paralympics," said Anh.

As it stands Việt Nam have secured one official slot in powerlifting for Lê Văn Công and three slots in swimming for Lê Tiến Đạt, Đỗ Thanh Hải and Trịnh Thị Bích Như.

Four more powerlifting places are being looked for at an event in Thailand by the end of May, while the team also awaits wild cards for athletics.

Trần Đức Thọ, the general secretary of the Việt Nam Paralympic Committee, said that Việt Nam is hoping for a medal in Paris, with powerlifter Công offering up the best chance.

At the recently concluded World Para Powerlifting Organisation's Pattaya World Cup 2024 in Thailand, on May 11, Công, the world record holder, secured two gold medals in the men's 49kg category. His lift of 168kg earned him a first gold and his total result of 496kg from three lifts placed him on the top of the podium once again.

Công's impressive performance is now a light ahead for Vietnamese athletes with disabilities on their journey to the Paralympics.

"If Công wins a medal at this year's Paralympics, he will set a national record by winning three consecutive medals at the largest sporting event on the world. As for his chances of winning a medal, we highly appreciate Công's efforts and determination," said Thọ. VNS