Swimmer Quang Thuan explodes with 11 medals, escaping the shadow of Anh Vien.

At the 2026 National Swimming and Diving Championships, Nguyen Quang Thuan caused a sensation by winning 11 medals and breaking 2 national records. Behind the glory of this new generation swimming prodigy is the touching support from his father, who traveled over 1,000km to cheer on his son.

The prowess of the "New Generation Swimming Heartthrob"

In the history of Vietnamese sports, the name Nguyen Thi Anh Vien has become an immortal icon, a "little mermaid" with an unprecedented list of achievements. Because of his sister's immense shadow, Nguyen Quang Thuan – her younger brother, born in 2006 – had to endure considerable pressure from public expectations. However, at the 2026 National Swimming and Diving Championships (25m pool), Quang Thuan officially proved that he is not just "Anh Vien's younger brother," but a talented swimmer with his own unique identity and strength.

Entering the tournament with unwavering determination, the 20-year-old captivated the audience in Hue. At the end of the competition, Quang Thuan brought home an impressive collection of 11 medals: 3 Gold, 4 Silver, and 4 Bronze. Most notably, this young swimmer broke two national records, demonstrating remarkable progress in both skill and physical fitness. With his long arm span, skillful turning technique, and powerful acceleration in the final meters, Quang Thuan is gradually becoming a golden hope for Vietnamese swimming on the international stage.

Amidst the cheers and dazzling flashes of the awards ceremony, the most touching moment wasn't about the medals, but about a weathered figure in the stands. That was Mr. Nguyen Van Tac – the father of Anh Vien and Quang Thuan.

To be there in time to witness his son's moment of glory, Mr. Tac undertook an incredible journey: traveling over 1,000km from the waterways of Can Tho to the ancient capital of Hue. For a middle-aged father, that long and arduous journey was no easy feat, but his love and pride for his youngest son helped him overcome all obstacles.

The presence of his father in the stands was the greatest source of moral support for Quang Thuan. One could see the sparkle of joy in his father's eyes when he saw his son break the record, and the gentle smile as he quietly stood behind him, congratulating him. This warm family bond was the strongest foundation, helping Quang Thuan maintain his composure during competitions against formidable opponents.

The humility of a young champion

Nguyen Quang Thuan was born in 2006 in Can Tho into a family with a strong sporting tradition, being the younger brother of the legendary swimmer Nguyen Thi Anh Vien. He officially joined the army and trained at the National Sports Training Center, becoming one of Vietnam's key young swimming talents.

Despite facing early pressure from the overwhelming shadow of his older sister, Quang Thuấn bravely asserted his own position with an impressive record: winning a Silver Medal in his first SEA Games 31 appearance at the young age of 16 and consistently breaking national records in the individual medley events. With his ideal height, long arm span, humility, and relentless effort, Quang Thuấn is now expected to be the "ace" of the new generation, a worthy successor to his predecessor's legacy to elevate Vietnamese swimming to continental prominence.

Despite his remarkable achievement, Nguyen Quang Thuan maintained a commendable attitude of humility and a willingness to learn. Immediately after the competition, the swimmer shared emotional posts on his personal page. He not only mentioned his medals but also dedicated a significant portion of his time to expressing gratitude to those behind his success.

"I would like to sincerely thank my teachers, the leadership, my teammates, and everyone who has always accompanied, supported, and encouraged me throughout this journey. The journey is still long, and I will continue to try even harder," Thuan shared sincerely.

It is this mature mindset and the spirit of "winning without arrogance" that has helped Quang Thuan win the hearts of fans. Many fans have called him the "new generation's male idol" not only because of his handsome and strong appearance but also because of the beautiful character of a professional athlete.

Step out of your "cocoon" and move towards the future.

Many years ago, when people mentioned Quang Thuan, they often called him "Anh Vien's younger brother." This was both a source of pride and a huge psychological barrier. However, after the 2026 National Championships, Quang Thuan proved that he had completely stepped out of his sister's shadow to write a new chapter in his career.

If Ánh Viên is a legend in the individual medley and long-distance events, then Quang Thuấn is demonstrating his all-around abilities and potential for breakthroughs in short and middle-distance races. His unconventional swimming style and strategic thinking are helping him gradually shape his own personal style, without being a copy or imitation of his senior. Inheriting talent from his family and starting to swim at a very young age, Quang Thuấn quickly revealed his innate talent with impressive technical statistics.

The journey of this swimmer born in 2006 to conquer the swimming arenas is still very long ahead. After his brilliant success in Hue, Quang Thuan will continue to return to his rigorous training regimen to prepare for bigger competitions such as the SEA Games, ASIAD, or the ultimate goal of qualifying for the Olympics.

With the unwavering support of his family, especially his father who is always ready to travel thousands of miles to cheer him on, along with the guidance of his coaches and his own efforts, Nguyen Quang Thuan will surely swim even further. He is not only continuing the tradition of the Nguyen family but is also gradually becoming a new pillar of Vietnamese sports, igniting hope for new records on the world swimming track.

Quang Thuan: Anh Vien's younger brother shows off the standard visual of the new generation of swimming "male gods" Keng19:08:14 09/01/2026The family of the famous swimmer continues to attract the attention of social networks when a new image of Nguyen Quang Thuan, the younger brother of fisherman Anh Vien, is widely spread.