Veteran: Mai Cong Hieu will pedal for a gold at the SEA Games in Laos next week.
VietNamNet Bridge – Despite being 32-years-old, Mai Cong Hieu still hopes to win a gold for Viet Nam’s cycling team at next week’s SEA Games in Laos, which will be the last international competition for the veteran.
Hieu will take part in the men’s road race (140km) and individual time-trial (49km) events and hopes to win at least one gold medal. Hieu triumphed in the individual time-trial event at the 23rd SEA Games in the Philippines four years ago, but he failed to defend his title two years later in Thailand where he took a bronze.
"I know I am still strong enough to compete," Hieu said.
"Failure in Korat (Thailand) was sad, but it was also a lesson for me and for the coaching staff. This time will be different. Our team has trained very hard," he added.
In order to get familiar with the courses, Hieu and his teammates will leave for Laos on Thursday. The cycling events will kick off on December 13.
At October’s national championship, Hieu clocked 50 minutes 28.49 seconds to win the title, which was better than his main rival, Prajak Mahawong of Thailand.
However, the different terrain and weather in Laos will provide a challenge for Hieu.
Hieu may also be at a disadvantage because he has only competed in national tournaments, while his competitors raced in Japan and Switzerland this year.
"According to expert Nikolai Kurkov, Hieu is the only athlete who can potentially grab a gold for Viet Nam because the other cyclists are not strong enough to compete for a medal," said coach Tran Van Quyt.
The Dong Thap-based athlete has been racing for 12 years and plans to retire next year.
"It will be my last SEA Games and I will retire after the National Sports Games next year in Da Nang. I am a father of two now, it is time to look after my family," Hieu said.
In Laos, he will also meet his sister at the SEA Games, who is living in Laos. This will be their first meeting in several years.
"I am anxious to see her again. I will definitely win a gold and give it to her," Hieu said with a smile.
VietNamNet/Viet Nam News
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