Runner breaks 18-year record in national championship

Oanh crossed the finish line after 15 minutes and 53.48 seconds to successfully defend her gold medal. This is a new national record, breaking the previous one by Doan Nu Truc Van in 2003, who finished her run in 16 minutes and 12.73 seconds.

"I was tired after competing in the 1,500 m race, so I only aimed to win the gold medal in the 5,000 m category. I didn't think that I was going to break the record," Oanh said after her run.

Due to Covid-19, Oanh has not been able to compete in tournaments until now. Oanh registered for four categories in the national championship, including the 3,000 m hurdles, 1,500, 5,000 and 10,000 m. On Friday, she claimed gold in the 1,500 and 5,000 m categories. Her target is to defend the gold medals that she has won in all four categories last year.

Oanh started her career as a pro runner when she was 15. Three years later, she won her first medal in SEA Games 2013, a silver in the 3,000 hurdles category. She went on to win two gold medals in SEA Games 2017 and two years later scored a hattrick of gold in SEA Games 2019.