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Le Nguyen Hong Duc (second from right) and his teammates join the National Table Tennis Club Championship |
Binh Dinh’s table tennis player Le Nguyen Hong Duc won bronze in the men’s single event at the National Table Tennis Club Championship taking place in Hai Phong city in mid-October. His father, table tennis coach Le Mau, was also an outstanding player when he was young.
Father – an outstanding player
In the 1970s-1980s, table tennis was the most favourite sport in Phu My district because there was almost no choice for alternative entertainments.
Le Mau, born in Phu My at that time, also selected table tennis as his favourite sport. His family supported him a lot and he was then taught by a coach from Da Nang city. In 1982, he became the champion at the district’s tournament when he was only 12.
Mau joined the Nghia Binh table tennis squad thanks to his achievements. He was always one of representative players of central and Central Highlands region participating in the national junior table tennis tournaments taking place from 1983 to 1987.
Together with Bui Van Tuyen, Le Van Dung, and Nguyen Thanh Binh, Le Mau was one of top table tennis players in Nghia Binh province (Binh Dinh) at that time.
Son – slowly but surely
Mau really wanted his son, Le Nguyen Hong Duc, to follow in his footsteps, but Duc only liked to play football and learn martial arts.
Once, when joining a tournament with his students in 1994, Mau allowed his son to go with him. After enjoying table tennis matches at the tournament, Duc asked his father to teach him how to play table tennis.
Thanks to his father’s instruction and his great efforts, Duc reaped many prizes when participating in competitions for young players. Joining the national Phu Dong festival 2008, Duc won four gold medals, contributing to the success of Binh Dinh squad at the festival.
With his youth and ability, Duc is expected to be more successful in the future.
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