Lại Gia Thành is the golden hope of Vietnamese weightlifting at the 2025 SEA Games.  VNS Photo Hoàng Linh

With the SEA Games drawing near, Vietnamese weightlifters are pushing through their most decisive training phase, driven by the ambition to restore the sport’s former glory and lift the nation’s competitive momentum. Behind this campaign is Nguyễn Huy Hùng, head of the weightlifting department at the Sports Authority of Việt Nam, who speaks with confidence about the team’s readiness and rising potential.

Nguyễn Huy Hùng, head of the Weightlifting Department at the Sports Authority of Việt Nam.  VNS Photo

Can you tell us about the Vietnamese weightlifting team’s training trip in China?

The Vietnamese weightlifting team are currently engaged in a crucial training expedition in China, which will last until early December. This specialised trip serves as a strategic move to ensure that the athletes achieve their optimal form before entering the region's biggest competition in Thailand.

Following the coaching staff's directives, the team commenced an intensive training programme designed to maximise their technical precision, physical strength, and overall performance.

According to the coaches, this rigorous training regimen will continue until December 8. After that, the team will return to Việt Nam for a brief period before heading to Thailand. The focus during this time will be to enhance techniques, improve physical capabilities, and ensure that the weightlifters peak at just the right moment for the impending SEA Games. The team are resolute in overcoming challenges to achieve outstanding results.

Lại Gia Thành won gold medal at the 2025 Asian Weightlifting Championship.  Photo courtesy of Thành

Up to this point, how have the weightlifting team prepared to achieve that goal?

The coaching staff has meticulously chosen the 11 best athletes for the training trip, led by head coach Dương Thị Ngọc. While I can’t disclose the complete roster for confidentiality reasons, I can share that training began immediately upon their arrival in China on October 19. The athletes dived into high-intensity training without rest, entering a critical sprint phase to sharpen their physical strengths and strategic tactics.

This pivotal stage is especially crucial for the SEA Games, so the athletes must maintain peak physical and technical conditions. The team's objective is to ensure that they peak at exactly the right time during the competition. As detailed in their training plans, the team will focus on refining techniques, increasing power, and adjusting tactics ahead of the SEA Games.

Weightlifter Trần Minh Trí competes in the SEA Games 32, where he won a gold medal in the men’s 67kg category. He is expected to excel in this year’s Games. VNS Photo Hoàng Linh

This year, the Vietnamese weightlifting team did not participate in the World Championships to concentrate on the SEA Games. What are the team's strategic calculations behind this decision?

This decision underscores strategic foresight, as 2025 marks a significant transitional year for Vietnamese weightlifting. The 33rd SEA Games serves as a prime platform to demonstrate our strength, especially in light of the considerable competitive pressure applied by regional rivals.

The timing of the World Championships coincided with a crucial intensive training period for SEA Games preparation, prompting the coaching staff to carefully consider competition schedules in advising the sport's management.

Focusing on specific athletes aims to channel resources into achieving strong results in the SEA Games, despite not competing in the World Championships this time. Coaches remain diligent in monitoring performance indicators from athletes across the globe who competed at the World Championships, ensuring that they are well-prepared for future contests.

The weightlifting team have already successfully participated in the 2025 Asian Championship and the 2025 Southeast Asian Championship, both serving as invaluable opportunities for evaluating competitiveness and identifying direct regional rivals.

Vietnamese weightlifting is facing many challenges at the 33rd SEA Games.  VNS Photo Minh Quyết

What challenges do the Vietnamese weightlifting team face at this SEA Games?

Vietnamese weightlifters will confront extremely potent competitors from Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. These countries have strong sports programmes, featuring athletes who have previously earned medals at both ASIAD and the Olympics.

Consequently, the road ahead will be anything but easy in pivotal weight categories. Notably, Thai and Indonesian athletes have demonstrated rapid progress, exemplified by Rizki Juniansyah of Indonesia, who shattered the Olympic record to win gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

A significant change this year is that the weight class system at the SEA Games adheres to new regulations set forth by the International Weightlifting Federation. Fortunately, Việt Nam implemented this weight class system during the 2025 National Championship, meaning that our athletes will not encounter surprises and can adapt more smoothly to the new regulations before competing on the international stage.

However, the stipulation that each country may only register one athlete per weight class intensifies internal competition for the team.

Weightlifting used to be a strong discipline for Vietnamese sports, but it remains an unknown factor for the Vietnamese delegation at the upcoming SEA Games. What goals have the weightlifting team set for this tournament?

At the previous SEA Games, the Vietnamese weightlifting team secured an impressive haul of four gold medals, one silver and three bronzes, earning them a commendable second-place ranking in the weightlifting medal tally. Building on this solid foundation has instilled confidence in the athletes, but the challenges ahead are daunting, as regional competitors are equally ambitious.

For the 33rd edition, the coaching staff has devised specific plans to prepare the core group of athletes for success. The training is rigorous, focusing on several key aspects: refining competition tactics, building psychological resilience, and fostering competitive composure in each athlete. Every small mistake could influence the collective performance, making it imperative that the team work as a cohesive unit.

Their ultimate goal is to maximise their achievements amidst challenges and adversaries at this year's SEA Games.

SEA Games 33 is anticipated to unveil a new generation of young athletes, igniting hopes of reviving the legacy of this traditional sport. What are your expectations?

Vietnamese weightlifting has historically been a cornerstone of the nation’s sports achievements, with legendary Olympic medalists like Hoàng Anh Tuấn and Trần Lê Quốc Toàn making their mark.

In recent years, however, the performances of Vietnamese weightlifters have not quite matched that past excellence. As a result, both experts and fans hope to see the emergence of an impressive new cadre of young athletes at this SEA Games.

Based on assessments from the national championship, the coaching staff has carefully selected and built a team geared for both short-term success and long-term growth at the 33rd SEA Games. The goal is not solely to uphold Việt Nam's standing in the region, but also to create opportunities for young athletes to gain competition experience and mature within their sport. The transition between generations signals a forward-thinking approach to developing new talent for the future.

From local competitions to international arenas, the perseverance of these athletes has propelled the Vietnamese weightlifting team through this transitional phase. With strategic investments in emerging talent and a thoughtful approach to international competitions, the vision for success at the 2026 Asian Games and the 2028 Olympics in weightlifting appears increasingly bright. VNS