“Mermaid” voted nation's top athlete
Teenage swimmer Nguyen Thi Anh Vien has been voted Vietnam's top athlete in 2013.
Vien received 917 votes from sport reporters to top the National Best Athlete and Coach of the year awards that were given at a January 22 ceremony organised by The Thao Vietnam (Vietnam Sports) newspaper in Hanoi and HCM City.
Vien received the votes for her outstanding performances during the year, winning 50 international medals including 26 titles, apart from victories in many local competitions.
She made history as the first ever Vietnamese swimmer to win at the SEA Games since its debut in 1959.
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Vien has received funding of US$200,000 to train in the US before competing at the 17th Asian Games later this year in the Republic of Korea where she is expected to win gold.
International Grandmaster Le Quang Liem came in second in the sportsperson of the year contest with 662 points. Masksman Hoang Xuan Vinh finished third in the national contest with 597 points.
Dang Anh Tuan, who coaches the women's swimming team, was selected Coach of the Year, followed by Nguyen Thi Nhung (shooting) and Nguyen Binh Minh (track and field).
The top three best athletes with disabilities were Cao Ngoc Hung (track and field), Le Van Cong (powerlifting) and Nguyen Thi Hai (track and field).
The top coaches for athletes with disabilities were Dong Quoc Cuong (swimming), Dang Van Phuc (track and field) and Le Thuy Nga (badminton).