Jolly Duong, a second-generation Vietnamese-Australian, is an advocate to watch since her story went global in the wake of her inspiring recovery after a life-changing bicycle crash. It was eighteen months ago that Duong suffered a spinal cord injury that took her life in a new direction. She was knocked down, but she refused to be knocked out. With grit and tenacity, she has emerged as one of the top-tier athletes on the parasport stage.
Recently, Duong was selected as one of the 346 athletes to advance to the next stage of a national talent program. This initiative aims to scout and support athletes who aspire to represent Australia at the upcoming Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics in 2032. With her eyes trained on the upcoming Brisbane Paralympic Games, Duong is all too aware of the battles she faces in the future.
Speaking in a recent interview on the program Weekend One on One, Duong recounted her statement. She talked about the mental shift she has had to undergo post-accident. She opened up about how parasports have been an important outlet for her. These wings assisted her flight into competitive athletics prowess after losing a limb.
Today, Duong’s story is one of hope and ambition. The new realities of her spinal cord injury have not deterred her from pursuing her passions and interests, though. Today, she’s focusing her energy on training to compete in parasports. Her persistence and dedication to the athletic community have provided her with an intense sense of purpose. In doing so, it’s cleared the path for her to realise her dreams at the Brisbane Paralympic Games.
The national talent program is a critical lifeline for athletes such as Duong. It affords them crucial advocacy and amplification, which is key to helping them achieve their greatest impact. Duong’s selection to advance in this program takes her one step closer to achieving her dream. Very soon, however, she will be representing the U.S. on an international level!
