The current life of legendary Vietnamese bodybuilder

Duc, 58, was a popular and prominent figure on the Vietnamese bodybuilding scene in the 1990s and 2000s.

He won a gold medal in the Asian Bodybuilding Championship for seven straight years from 1997 to 2003, four Southeast Asian Championship golds, an Asian Games gold in 2002, and a SEA Games gold in 2003.

Ly Duc in his competing days. Photo courtesy of Ly Duc

After all these years he remains the benchmark for fitness and physical aesthetics in public perception as aphorisms such as "strong like Ly Duc" or "muscular like Ly Duc" testify.

He is currently a professional advisor at NuEdu PT Training Academy in HCMC, and runs a fitness club together with his wife.

At 58, Ly Duc works out regularly to keep his shape and health. He weighs 86 kg, not much different from his peak period, and spends an hour every day lifting weights.

He married in 1998 and has a son and a daughter, who are both in university abroad.

He says: "In my free time I often go out for coffee with my wife or to the supermarket to buy groceries for the family.

"Sometimes I hang out with my friends and talk about old memories including of our school days."

He enjoys listening to music and growing ornamental plants.

Ly Duc at 58 years old. Photo courtesy of Ly Duc

Duc got into bodybuilding in 1984 and first competed internationally in 1995, when he won a silver medal at the Southeast Asian Championship.

This was a turning point in his career as he became a bodybuilding legend in Southeast Asia. He retired in 2006 due to injury and opened the fitness club in HCMC.

"Fitness gives me health and a beautiful physique," he says.

Many people still recognize him on the street and he is happy about that.

He says he will continue to work and train as long as his health allows. The legend wants to help train professional athletes and trainers in Vietnam and set an example for younger generations to follow.