Old age but not old strength

This tournament was supposed to take place early in October to coincide with the International Day of Older Persons, but for various reasons, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ho Chi Minh City Tennis Federation postponed it to early November. The tournament took place on November 3 and 4 at Hoang Thien Stadium (District 8) and still attracted more than 100 players. All athletes competed enthusiastically and fiercely in 5 events, including men's leader-guest pairs, men's pairs over 60 years old, women's pairs over 60 years old, women's pairs over 50 years old and mixed pairs (men over 60 years old and women over 55 years old).

Giải quần vợt Người cao tuổi TP.HCM 2023: Tuổi già nhưng sức chưa già - Ảnh 1. — 2 tennis players Vu Thong and Van Luy

There are many "old but not old" tennis players participating in the competition. Such as Mr. Phan Tan Luc, former Secretary of Tan Phu District Party Committee, former Vice President of Ho Chi Minh City Tennis Federation for the 2010-2015 term. Or Mr. Phan Thanh Son, who set a Guinness record for calligraphy. Besides, there is journalist Duong Vu Thong, Permanent Vice President of Ho Chi Minh City Journalists Association; journalist Nguyen Quang Thong, former Editor-in-Chief of Thanh Nien Newspaper. Especially, there is also overseas Vietnamese tennis player Chung Anh Thang, who, on the occasion of returning to Vietnam to visit his homeland, heard that there was a tournament, so he registered to participate.

Giải quần vợt Người cao tuổi TP.HCM 2023: Tuổi già nhưng sức chưa già - Ảnh 2. — Tennis player Phan Tan Luc

On the women's side, there are "old ladies" who have grandchildren but still run very well. They are enthusiastically cheered on by their husbands, children, grandchildren, and relatives, who shout and clap after each ball, so they play very excitedly. Many women also show that they are still physically strong and in high spirits, so they compete enthusiastically, and can play 3-4 matches in a morning with their legs still running as strong as in their twenties. There are many tug-of-war matches that drag on, which seems to drain the women's energy. But as soon as they rest, they immediately compete again with almost no decrease in playing speed.

Giải quần vợt Người cao tuổi TP.HCM 2023: Tuổi già nhưng sức chưa già - Ảnh 3. — Tennis player Phan Thanh Son sets Guinness record for calligraphy

Secretary General of the Ho Chi Minh City Tennis Federation Nguyen Thi Kieu My said: "We are very happy that the tennis tournament for the elderly took place with quality and brought an exciting atmosphere to the players. The players showed that although they are old, their strength is not old. They still maintain good training and still play with the same passion as when they were young. They are the role models to encourage young people to participate in training and competing in sports in general and tennis in particular more. We will learn many lessons from this tournament to have good preparation and expand the competition format next time. At the same time, we will further promote this playground to bring joy and motivation to the elderly players."

Giải quần vợt Người cao tuổi TP.HCM 2023: Tuổi già nhưng sức chưa già - Ảnh 4. — Overseas Vietnamese tennis player Chung Anh Thang stood with journalist Nguyen Quang Thong to win the championship.

Results of the events: Men's doubles leader - guest : 1/ Nguyen Quang Thong - Chung Anh Thang, 2/ Tran Thanh Liem - Nguyen Van Nhieu, 3/ Le Dinh Can - Nguyen Van Truong; Phan Tan Luc - Phan Thanh Son.

Men's doubles over 60 years old: 1/ Mai Thanh Chung - Nguyen Hung, 2/ Phan Le Thuy - Duong Thanh Hai, 3/ Hoang Minh Son - Vu Hoang Ky and Tran Trong Hieu - Nguyen Anh Tuan.

Mixed doubles: 1/ Nguyen Van Hao - Nguyen Kim Phuong, 2/ Nguyen Hung - Tran Thi Thanh, 3/ Huynh Chau - Do Thi Thu Hong and Mai Thanh Chung - Le Thi Tuyet Anh.

Women's pairs over 60 years old: 1/ Giang Thi Nguyet - Dang Thi Phuong Dung, 2/ Pham Thi Thanh Lan - Tran Thi Thanh, 3/ Do Thi Thu Hong - Ta Thi Phuong and Nguyen Thi Hoang Nga-Nguyen Kim Phuong.

Women's pairs over 50 years old: 1/ Tran Thi Hai Yen - Nguyen Thi Sang, 2/ Nguyen Thi Huong - Nguyen Thi Kieu Trang, 3/ Lam Thi Ngoc Huong - Pham Thi Phuong Ngoan and Le Thi Van - Le Thi Huong.

Some pictures of the tournament: