Nguyễn Hữu Việt

Nguyễn Hữu Việt was noticed for his swimming talents at an early age and, at 10 years old, was recruited by a school focused on training promising young sportspeople. He won his first Vietnamese national championship in his specialty, the 100 metres breaststroke, in 2003 and then made his international début at that year’s Southeast Asian Games, where he took bronze in that event behind Ratapong Sirisanont and the non-Olympian Vorrawuti Aumpiwan, both of Thailand. Nguyễn went on to win that event at the next three editions – 2005, 2007, and 2009 – and also took silver in the 200 metres breaststroke in 2009, behind Thailand’s Nuttapong Ketin.

During his career, Nguyễn took part in two editions of the Olympics, placing 52nd and 58th in his event in 2004 and 2008 respectively. After failing to medal at the 2011 Southeast Asian Games, he retired from active competition. A sufferer of chronic asthma throughout his career, he experienced a relapse while bathing and was unable to receive aid before he died.