The 49-year-old athlete from An Giang province has won five world titles, in 2001, 2009, 2010, 2014 and 2017. Most recently, he claimed the men’s 55kg gold medal at the 14th World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships in 2023.

Vietnam has also sent several reigning world champions, including Dinh Kim Loan (women’s 55kg), Ta Thi Ngoc Bich (women’s model physique, under 1.70m), and Nguyen Thi Kim Dung (women’s fitness, under 1.65m).

Other notable entrants include Pham Van Phuoc (men’s fitness, under 1.70m), Tran Hoang Duy Thuan (men’s fitness, under 1.67m), and Truong Hoang Long (men’s fitness, over 75kg). The team also features returning 2023 champions Tran Bao Quoc Vuong (men’s 65kg fitness) and Ho Huy Binh (men’s 70kg fitness).

This year’s tournament is taking place in Batam, Indonesia, from November 11 to 17, bringing together hundreds of competitors from around the world.

Vietnam aims to defend its overall team title, which it secured at the 15th edition of the championships in the Maldives in November 2024.

Vietnam secures first place at 15th world bodybuilding championships

Bagging 10 gold medals, Vietnam secured the first place on the overall medal tally at the 15th World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships, which took place in the Maldives from November 8-11.