Philippines can learn from Vietnam Women Middle Distances

Last Updated on August 21, 2023 by Andrew Pirie

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Things the Philippines can learn from Vietnam Women Middle Distances

Nguyen Khanh Linh, a 16-year-old from Vietnam, clinched the title at the Asian Youth Champs in the Girl’s 1500m with a tactical finish time of 4:51.61. This victory took place at the Asian Youth Champs hosted by Kuwait on October 15th. Remarkably, just two months prior, this young athlete secured a silver medal at the National Youth Championship (U20), recording an impressive time of 4:34.3. She was only surpassed by a competitor three years her senior.

Vietnam continues to demonstrate its prowess in the Women’s 1500m, maintaining a strong hold on the event. In the 2022 SEA Rankings, Vietnamese athletes hold six of the top ten positions. Their leading athlete, Thi Oanh, a multiple SEA Games medalist, bettered the previous SEA Games gold medal time with a 4:14.98 finish. Their standout junior, Nguyen Thi Quyen, has a record time of 4:27.7, and their top youth athlete is the aforementioned Nguyen Khanh Linh.

By the end of 2021, Vietnam held five of the top ten positions in the SEA Rankings for the Women’s 1500m. Looking ahead to the SEA Games in 2023, Agustina Manik of Indonesia might be the only contender preventing a complete podium sweep by Vietnam, assuming they could have three participants.

1500m
	SEA GOLD		4.17.31
	SEA SILVER		4.22.60
	SEA BRONZE		4.23.47
1	4:14.98	VIEW		Nguyen Thi Oanh
2	4:26.71	INA		Agustina Mardika Manik
3	4:26.90	VIEW		Khuat Phuong Anh
4	4:27.7	VIE		Nguyen Thu Quyen
5	4:29.75	VIE		Thi Ngan Bui
6	4:33.41	SGP		Goh Chui Ling
7	4:33.95	LAO		Lodkeo Inthakoumnan
8	4:34.3	VIE		Nguyen Khanh Linh
9	4:35.18	INA		Nirwani Novia Nur
10	4:35.3	VIE		Nguyen Khanh Ly

What is going on with Philippines Womens Middle Distance running??

The best two athletes in the 1500m right now Daniela Quintero and Mia Guillergan are from the United States and Australia. Who has run 4:47 and 4:48 this year? In the third spot so far is Edna Magtubo who won the national schools in 5:01.07. With 8 weeks of the weekly relays already cleared, nobody else has run faster in the girls.

Quite a few of the ‘Best Ever Palaro Athletes went to the UAAP and have not seen vast improvements in the whole 5 years there (3 of which the Pandemic cannot be used as an excuse). When we talk about the two best-ever Palaro athletes Meagey Ninura and Jieann Calis who ran 4:39 in and 4:42 in High school for 1500m in 2016. And proceeded to clock 4:55 while at the University of the Philippines and 4:41 while at the University of Santo Tomas (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022). It’s hard to ignore the facts that are talent is not progressing or at best barely improving at UAAP schools in Women’s Middle Distance. A study of 2013-2018 UAAP athlete performances collected in charts clearly shows this with data backing it up. What was held as an assumption is now validated with facts and figures using ‘official’ UAAP Athletics Final Results? Proving that the UAAP is a huge disconnect between Palaro and the elite SEA Games level in Women’s Middle Distance Running.

What Vietnam does

1. Allows the athlete to choose their coach. Even after they make the national teams athletes tend to stay with their original coach.

2. Doesn’t just focus on a centralized Manila-based UAAP system. It nurtures its provincial talents. By providing them with their events nationwide and training centres with their coaches, not just all in the capital city.

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Andrew Pirie

“In 2020, Andrew advanced to the position of Vice President with the Association of Track and Field Statisticians, having devoted seven years as an active member. His impressive track record includes roles such as a PSC Consultant and Research Assistant (2013-2015) and a distinguished stint as a Sprint Coach and Consultant at the renowned Zamboanga Sports Academy (2015-2017). Today, he offers his expertise as a Consultant Coach with VMUF, starting from 2021.

A recognized voice in the sports community, Andrew is the Chief Editor of Pinoyathletics.info. Additionally, his consultancy contributions to Ayala Corp in evaluating their Track and Field Program underline his deep domain knowledge.

Proficient in coaching sprints, middle-distance races, and jump events, Andrew boasts a Level 3 Athletics Australia Coaching Certification, specializing in Sprints and Hurdles. He is also on a progressive journey towards obtaining a Masters Degree in Education.

For further insights or inquiries, connect with Andrew at [email protected]. For detailed coaching resources and Andrew’s methodology, visit Pinoyathletics Coaching.”