Powerlifter Le Van Cong is notable for being the first Vietnamese athlete to ever win a gold medal in the history of the Paralympic Games. He brought home a gold medal during the men's 49 kg back at the 2016 Summer Paralympics.
The powerlifter also bagged a silver medal in the men's 49 kg during the 2020 Summer Paralympics held in Tokyo in Japan.
His teammate Chau Hoang Tuyet Loan also represented Vietnam at both the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Paralympics.
Vietnamese athletes have set a goal of winning one or two medals at the coming 2024 Paris Paralympic Games which will run from August 28 to September 8. Swimmers Do Thanh Hai and Le Tien Dat will be the first Vietnamese athletes to compete in the games when their event is held on August 31.
The Vietnamese sporting delegation, including seven athletes, departed for Paris on August 23 and are scheduled to return home on September 9.
Other athletes in the team include runner Pham Nguyen Khanh Minh, swimmers Le Tien Dat and Do Thanh Hai, along powerlifters Nguyen Binh An and Dang Thi Linh Phuong.
They will vie for one or two medals in three sports, namely athletics, swimming, and weightlifting.
The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games features a total of 22 sports and 23 disciplines with 549 events. Around 4,400 athletes are expected to compete in 20 venues across France.
Two powerlifters to carry Vietnamese flag at Paralympic Games
Powerlifters Le Van Cong and Chau Hoang Tuyet Loan have been chosen to carry the Vietnamese national flag during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.
Powerlifters Le Van Cong and Chau Hoang Tuyet Loan have been chosen to carry the Vietnamese national flag during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, with the event set to take place on the evening August 28 in France.
Powerlifter Le Van Cong is the first Vietnamese athlete to ever win a gold medal in the history of the Paralympic Games.