Judo star Tú says goodbye to competition

Judo star Tú says goodbye to competition

Văn Ngọc Tú (right) quits competition maps to focus on training works. — VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam’s golden judo girl Văn Ngọc Tú has decided to retire and work as a trainer.

The two-time Olympian was present at the National Judo Championship, which wrapped up earlier this week, but she did not compete; instead, she guided her athletes from the Military Zone  九 club.

Tú said she decided to stop competing after the Asian Beach Games in Đà Nẵng in September, but had not officially announced her retirement.

“I am getting old and I want to continue with judo as a coach, although I think I could take part in international tournaments for one or two more years,” Tú said.

The  二 九-year-old, who has a large collection of titles to her name, has participated in judo tournaments for  一 七 years now, since  一 九 九 九. During this period, she not only dominated the national championships but also reined at regional events and in Southeast Asian Games. She is the only judoka who won a berth in Olympics twice in a row, in London  二0 一 二 and in Rio de Janeiro this year.

Tú will now coach the national team, apart from her job at the Military Zone  九 club. — VNS