Outstanding Athletes of Lam Dong’s Weightlifting Team

Lam Dong’s Weightlifting Hopeful

The most prominent athlete on Lam Dong’s weightlifting team competing at the 10th National Sports Games in 2026 is K’Duong.

Born in 2007 and residing in Ward 2, Bao Loc, K’Duong is a young Ma ethnic athlete who began his weightlifting journey at an early age. At just 11, during a local sports talent identification program, he was discovered and selected by the Lam Dong Sports Training and Competition Center for further training under the province’s youth talent program.

Several other young K’ho ethnic athletes were also selected for Lam Dong’s weightlifting talent squad during the same recruitment drive. In 2018, K’Duong and many of his teammates were sent by Lam Dong for training at the Athlete Training Center of Bac Ninh University of Sports and Physical Education.

Through dedication and hard work, K’Duong has made remarkable progress, developing from a small-framed athlete into one of Vietnam’s most promising weightlifters. He has excelled at major international competitions, earning medals for Vietnamese sport and setting multiple world records.

In 2022, K’Duong secured three gold medals and shattered three youth world records in the men’s 55 kg division at the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships held in Uzbekistan.

The following year, he maintained his winning streak by claiming three gold medals and setting youth world records at the World Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Albania.

In 2024, K’Duong surpassed all three records he had established at the Asian Junior Championships, achieving a total lift of 262 kg – a groundbreaking accomplishment for a Vietnamese athlete in the 55 kg class.

In 2025, he earned one gold medal and two silver medals at the World Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Peru.

In 2026, K’Duong competed in the 60 kg division and secured three bronze medals at the World Junior Weightlifting Championships held in Egypt in May. In October, he placed fourth overall in the men’s 60 kg category at the World Weightlifting Championships in Ningbo, China.

Upon returning from China, K’Duong joined the weightlifting team in Lam Dong to prepare for the upcoming National Sports Games. He mentioned that he needed additional time to recover due to intense training and a minor injury, but his health has now improved.

At the Games, he is set to compete in the 60 kg division. Despite facing many strong domestic rivals in this class, he is confident about achieving a favorable outcome for his home province.

Targeting Gold Medals for Lam Dong

The weightlifting team from Lam Dong has entered 10 athletes in this year’s Games, comprising six male and four female competitors.

In addition to K’Duong, the team includes promising young talents like K’Vy, a K’ho ethnic participant from Dam Rong, born in 2011, who will take part in the 60 kg division, and K’Win, a Ma ethnic participant from Loc Tan in Ward 2, Bao Loc, born in 2008, who will compete in the 71 kg division.

Notably, Nguyen Thanh Do, born in 2002, is another athlete with significant chances of winning a medal for the team. He previously secured a silver medal in the men’s 61 kg division at the 2023 Games of the Independent States.

More recently, Thanh Do confirmed his peak performance by clinching gold in the 71 kg division at the 2026 National Weightlifting Club Championships.

The women’s team is made up of four athletes, all hailing from ethnic minority communities in Lam Dong, who have been sent for training at the Athlete Training Center at Bac Ninh University of Sports and Physical Education.

Among these promising young athletes are Co Lieng K’Huong, a Cil ethnic competitor from Phu Son Lam Ha Commune, born in 2010; Ka Nghiep, a K’ho ethnic member from Di Linh, also born in 2010; and Ka Thep, a Ma ethnic athlete from Loc Tan, Ward 2, Bao Loc, who was born in 2008.

Of particular significance is Ka Hoai, an athlete from the Ma ethnic group residing in Loc Tan, Ward 2, Bao Loc, who was born in 2008 and has excelled at both national and international competitions.

During her first national-level event at the 2021 National Youth Weightlifting Championships, Ka Hoai secured gold medals in all three of her events.

The following year, she earned one gold and two silver medals, and in 2023, she achieved yet another gold medal. In the years that followed, she consistently earned medals in various national competitions.

Ka Hoai has distinguished herself on the global stage with a series of impressive accomplishments. She secured one gold and two silver medals at the 2024 Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships held in Qatar.

In 2025, she earned two silver medals and one bronze at the event that took place in Kazakhstan. Most recently, she won another bronze medal at a competition in Uzbekistan in August 2026.

Returning to represent their home province of Lam Dong brings both Ka Hoai and K’Duong great pride. With her experience from international competitions, Ka Hoai feels confident that she can improve the team's performance and contribute to their success in her home province.

According to Nguyen Van Thuong, head coach of Lam Dong’s weightlifting team, the squad has set a target of one gold, one silver and two bronze medals at this year’s National Sports Games. Weightlifting competitions are scheduled to take place from December 5 to 11, 2026.

“The entire team is training intensively and has made thorough preparations. We hope to achieve positive results at the Games,” Thuong said.