Foreign athletes are surprised by Vietnamese fans at SEA Games 31

Grandstands basketball 3×3 at SEA Games 31 is always full of spectators JIANG PHAM MY

“The cheering of the Vietnamese audience is my motivation”, that is shared by Mandy Cebelle Chen, Wushu athlete of Malaysia in the morning of the competition on May 14. The Cau Giay Gymnasium where she competes these days has welcomed a large number of spectators to watch and cheer for the athletes.

Crowds of spectators came to watch Wushu competition JIANG PHAM MY

With Mandy, SEA Games 31 was the first major tournament held in two and a half years sports activities affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. “After days of training and competing in the halls without spectators, seeing the stands filled with spectators at this stadium reminds me of many fond memories of the days of competing before the competition. Covid-19 broke out,” Mandy shared.

Vietnamese fans create a very exciting atmosphere in the stands JIANG PHAM MY

When asked if the enthusiastic cheering atmosphere of the Vietnamese audience, especially the support for the home country’s athletes, would put pressure on her, Mandy happily replied: “Aside from the home country’s fans. At home, me and my colleagues also received a lot of support from the audience and other athletes. This cheer, this atmosphere gives me more motivation to complete my exam. I didn’t feel any pressure at all, when I entered the exam, my mind was only on how to complete my exam well.”

A corner of the stands cheering for rattan MINH TAN

Not only Wushu, basketball, kickboxing…On the days of the new sport, kurash, there were also a lot of fans cheering passionately on the day To Thi Trang brought Vietnam the first gold medal at the 31st SEA Games. Or like the basketball player of Thailand Chanatip Jakrawan also expressed surprise: “It was surprising with the enthusiasm of Vietnamese audiences for basketball. Seeing the crowded stands and the cheers give us more motivation to play. Child Vietnamese how wonderful”.

Exciting atmosphere at gymnasiums in Vietnam

Certainly with Mandy, Chanatip and athletes from other countries, the atmosphere at the Gymnasium in Vietnam during the SEA Games will certainly leave unforgettable memories in his playing career.