Nguyen Thi Thu Cuc moves to work as a coach after training heptathlon in many years. – Photo thethaovietnam.vn

HA NOI (VNS)   — Former Southeast Asian Games champion Nguyen Thi Thu Cuc has decided to retire from competition and become a coach.

Cuc has trained and competed in the women's heptathlon since 2000, and has dominated at national events since the word go.

Cuc made a bang on her debut at the 2003 SEA Games with a gold medal, leaving behind many strong rivals from Indonesia and Thailand.

She successfully defended her title two years later in the Philippines.

In 2009, Cuc pocketed a bronze medal at the Asian Indoor Games in Ha Noi.

After retirement, the 34-year-old Cuc will work with a colleague from Ukraine to train young athletes in Can Tho Province. — VNS