A New Year’s interview with Duong Thuy Vi
(VOV) -At the age of eight, Thuy Vi began to study martial arts under the instruction of master Nguyen Tung Lam in Gia Lam District, Hanoi, who immediately recognized her innate talent.
She won her first medal, a silver at the Asian Youth Wushu Championship in Singapore in 2005, and since then has won many medals and has come to be nationally known as the – golden girl – of Vietnam Wushu.
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Last year was a highly successful year for Vi, which culminated with her being crowned champion at the 17th Asian Games, held in Incheon, the Republic of Korea.
On the occasion of the Lunar New Year Vi sat down with a VOV reporter to talk about her past success and plans for the upcoming year.
Following are key excerpts from the interview.
VOV: Could you share with us how the success of earning consecutive gold medals at the SEA and ASIAD Games has changed your life?
Vi: I think my life has changed for the positive since winning the gold medals. Many people now recognize me and I get more attention from both the public and press organisations.
But to be honest, I don’t think about that much. I am more focused on preparing and training for the upcoming SEA Games 28 in June and the WorldWushu Championship in November.
VOV: How did you first come to take up the sport of Wushu?
Vi: My first involvement with the sport was by happenstance. At the age of eight my cousin and I began studying martial arts in Hanoi to lose weight. I enjoyed the sport and it gradually developed into a passion.
The sport has always been very challenging and I have had many injuries and setbacks though. I had one serious knee injury and was forced to stop practicing and all competition for six months while undergoing therapy.
VOV: Could you reveal who the love of your life is?
Vi: I am in a rather complicated relationship.
VOV: Could you tell us more about your complicated relationship?
Vi: I have a Japanese boyfriend. I met him ata training course in China. He occasionally travels to visit me in Vietnam.
VOV: Do you want to send VOV’s readers a New Year greeting?
Vi: Here’s wishing all VOV readers a very Happy New Year with hope that they will have many blessings in the year to come.
VOV: Thank you very much.