Carson City’s Chi Duong took bronze in the 65-over age group at the World Taekwondo Championships in Korea.
By Ron Bliss Special to the Nevada Appeal
Friday, June 3, 2022
Carson City’s Chi Duong recently returned from the World Taekwondo Championships in Korea and brought back yet another medal, a bronze, for placing third in his 65-over age group.
Duong, 73, competed against 10 others from around the world and earned his medal despite being the oldest competitor in his age group.
“A guy from Spain won it and he was two or three years younger than me,” said Duong, who has medaled in every world championship he has attended since his first in 2013. Since then, the world competitions have come every two years and he’s earned either a silver or bronze in each. He’s still chasing that elusive gold.
It is starting to catch up with him, he admits.
“This time, I came home and didn’t do much else but sleep for a week,’’ said the Vietnamese native. “I must have slept 13 to 14 hours a day.”
But he relaxed just long enough before going to the Western Regional competition at the Grand Sierra in Reno on May 6, where he picked up a gold in that competition.
But put an asterisk next to that one because he was the only competitor in the 65-over Division.
He was disappointed.
“I was looking for others to get into the division, but there weren’t any,’’ said Duong. “I was hoping to find others I could train so they can compete like I have. I’m the only one in Northern Nevada. They may think they’re too old, but they’re not.”
Duong’s season is not over. He is going to the U.S. Nationals in Salt Lake City at the end of July.
So how long can he keep going?
“Another 10 to 20 years,” he said. “Why not?”
