Do Thi Ngan Thuong ready to retire; Wins gold medals at her last South East Asian (SEA) Games this year
Five months into a comeback, Vietnamese artistic gymnast, Do Thi Ngan Thuong has decided to retire from the sport, walking away with two comeback gold medals earned at the SEA Games 2011.
“The all-round gold from the 23rd Games is the one that makes me most proud but these two I will remember most because it might be the last Games of (my) career,” Thuong said.
Following the dope scandal of 2008’s Beijing Olympics, where Thuong was tested positive for banned substance furosimide, she was expelled from the Olympic Games. Her athlete accreditation was also invalidated by the International Olympic Committee.
Furosimide is a loop diuretic used to treat congestive heart failure and edema, but it also works as a masking agent. The latter property led to its inclusion in the list of banned substances.
Many are of the opinion that this particular dope scandal was insignificant and unnecessary, because Thuong’s last position on floor exercise was standing proof that she was not using any substances to cover extra miles.
The International Olympic Committee medical commission chairman, Arne Ljungqvist also shared the opinion that the substance use was accidental, and probably an outcome of not having complete information on anti-doping laws.
Thuong was extremely upset with the incident.
“This is a big lesson for me and will never repeat it. I also hope that it will be a lesson for young athletes and they will be able to stand up against, whenever they fall,” she said.
The announcement of her comeback was a delightful surprise to her juniors and her coaches. The gymnast is viewed as a pioneer and is still an inspiration to her juniors.
Even when she was restricted by her knee injury two years ago, the Vietnamese athlete was an encouraging emblem of support as far as professional skills and spirit were concerned.
Listed below are the chronological highlights of Thuong’s career as an international gymnast.
2005
Hanoi Sportswoman of the Year South East Asian Games, Silver (team), Gold (all-round and balance beam)
2006
Senior Asian Championships, 12th all-round, 8th on balance beam
Asian Games, performed on uneven bars and balance beam
2007
South East Asian Games, Silver (team), Gold (balance beam), Bronze (floor exercise)
World Championships, 110th all-round, 142nd on uneven bars, 128th on floor exercise, 154th on balance beam
2008
Olympic Games, honour of being the first Vietnamese to take part in the Olympic Games, 15th on vault, 51st on balance beam, 79th on uneven bars, 82nd on floor exercise (before expulsion)
2009
World Championships, 86th all-round, 58th on uneven bars, 85th on floor exercise, 77th on balance beam
2010
Asian Games, 8th all-round, 7th on vault, 7th on floor exercise
2011
South East Asian Games, Silver (all-round), Gold (uneven bars and balance beam), 7th on vault
At 22, the news of her impending retirement is definitely not inevitable or expected. The Vietnamese National Team will feel the dent of her absence for sure, any doubts about that have been dispelled by Thuong’s most recent regional performances.
Tags: