Vinh Nguyen

2026 APA Open Nationals S: 212.5 (+2.5) B: 132.5 D: 235 T: 580 (+2.5) @65.65 9/9 Regionals QT secured Thank you to: @jacobsofianos & @connor.ross__ for looking after Jules and I @zt_output & @bigduma420 for the support and elite check ins @buffdumpling & @callangibbons for the power of friendship buff @thirds.co for capturing the day @_michael.ess , @vmaaak.ess , @australianpowerliftingalliance & all volunteers for your time and effort in making the event possible @stevenday_performotion for the work that you do in helping me become a better athlete My family & friends for their ongoing support And, my hips for surviving the last pull Onto the next. 🎥 @buffdumpling

2025 APA Open Nationals Meet Recap Had an exciting battle against @bigduma420 & @shun_pt_in_pyrmont_sydney where I got pushed to my limits. It was pretty fun, and I'm definitely keen to run it back at future comps. S: 210KG (+2.5KG comp PB) B: 132.5KG (+2.5KG comp PB) D: 235KG T: 577.5KG (+12.5KG comp PB) 4th Place, 65.74KG, 9/9 “I will not let this define me or stop me from doing what I love” “I will overcome this one day, and I will go further beyond”   Were the words I told myself when I was diagnosed with an Inflammatory Arthritic condition back in Oct 2023. And so, being able to finally surpass my former self and set comp PBs last Friday, on the 21st Feb 2025, meant the world to me as I can objectively say I am back stronger than ever. Not just physically, but mentally too. Life can be “cruel and unfair”. And, life will get in the way. However, it’s all about perspective. When we view challenges as opportunities for us to overcome and grow, every setback or curveball that life throws at us becomes a stepping stone to becoming a better and stronger version of yourself.  If you keep showing up, however you can, whenever you can, along with the right guidance, you will eventually get to where you want to be.  I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again… If I can do it, anyone can.  To my family, friends and everyone who has supported me along the way - Thank you. Special shoutout to: Coach: @stevenday_performotion Rehab: @chris_performotion @thesportchiro Media: @edgyhames @thirds.co Game Day: @bryuhn And, thank you to @jacobsofianos @strengthclubperth @kris_strengthstream and volunteers for an amazing weekend. #powerlifting #powerliftingmotivation #squat #bench #deadlift #sbd #ascension #strength

I said I'll be back. 2023 Night of Champions I - 565KG 2023 APU WA States - 490KG (Arthritis) 2024 APA Nationals - 537.5KG 2024 APA Powermania - 565KG Took me a while, but I'm here now. S: 207.5KG (+7.5 comp PB) B: 127.5KG D: 230KG T: 565KG 🥇 9/9 The goal for this comp was to hit the Nationals QT and wrap up my comeback era. And we did just that. We're heading into the next chapter now. And that is to go even further beyond. In life, anything can happen, and ideal conditions for pursuing our passions and ambitions rarely exist. Instead of waiting for the 'perfect moment' or blaming circumstances beyond our control... take action and make it happen. If I can do it, anyone can. Thank you to @jacobsofianos , @strengthclubperth , and all volunteers for a great event. Thank you to @stevenday_performotion for coaching me through this difficulty journey. Thank you to @chris_performotion for rehabbing me through my elbow, hip, and lower back issues during prep. Thank you to @thesportchiro for squeezing me in for some dry needling & cupping when I strained my lower back 2 weeks out. And once again, as always, thank you to my friends and family for your ongoing support. The Ascension continues Edit: @ethn.lim @strongholdlifting @ascension.strength #powerlifting #ascension #strength

2026 APA WA States Team Recap 7 Athletes 🥇 x 3 🥈 x 2 🥉 x 1 Attempt Success Rate: 84.13% Thank you to @strengthclubperth , @kris_strengthstream and all the lovely volunteers for an awesome day! Game Day: @coach.vinh @smart_strength_pl 🎥 @thirds.co @buffdumpling @bryuhn

2026 WA States Individual Meet Recaps Nathan Tatur - 83 SJR 🥇 Khai Phan - 74 OPEN 🥉 Sezer Turay - 83 OPEN 🥇 Mike Bull - 120 OPEN 🥈 Rosie Nguyen - GL Battle (Prime Time) Shaveen Gunendra - 82.5 OPEN 🥈 (APL) Keegan Smart - Chad 🥇 📸 @thirds.co @buffdumpling @bryuhn

Aiming to go 9/9 isn’t playing it safe, it’s playing to win Yes… if all attempts were sandbagged, then sure. That’s playing it safe However, when it comes to positioning ourselves in the best position possible to achieve our desired outcomes… The aim is to play our cards right, nail all 9 attempts, which makes it easier to build the biggest total, and stay in the fight. And yes, this may entail taking calculated risks. However, we’re generally putting in a number with a good probability of success. After all, we have a limited number of attempts per lift, so we have to make each one count! Therefore, game day isn’t about taking the biggest lift possible It’s about taking the right lifts based on the scoreboard, how you’re moving & feeling, and the refereeing standards 🎥 @buffdumpling @repeat.cr

RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) tells us how close you are to failure and how hard a set actually feels. It helps us learn about you as a lifter such as: - What loads corresponds to certain RPEs (RPE calibration) - Your lifter psychology and perception of effort - How quickly fatigue builds and affects performance - And, how your reps, load, and RPE all inter-relate Over time, this gives us a clearer picture of your rep profile, allowing us to program load ranges more accurately and drive progress in a predictable manner, while using RPE as a safety net to keep stimulus in the intended zone. As with everything else, it is one tool in the coaching toolbox. 🎥 @buffdumpling @repeat.cr

This one’s for the coaches. Any well-built approach can work for the right lifter, at the right time When we’re only looking at programming through one lens, then we’re forcing every lifter into the same solution Because of this, some of your athletes may be thriving, while others are struggling So, as coaches, we need to be aware of our own biases and when they no longer apply We need to be able to step outside of our comfort zone and acknowledge that there may be other tools in the toolbox that are more applicable to the individual lifter in front of us One of the best pieces of advice for newer and aspiring coaches is to stay open-minded and continually embrace a student mentality This means staying curious, questioning, learning, and evolving your approach and craft over time By doing so, you’ll continue to grow alongside your athletes and consistently become a better coach for them From Vinh, Forever a student 🎥 @buffdumpling @repeat.cr

APA MEGA NATIONALS 2026 - Results/Recap 👨‍🎨 @bhvisuals_ 📸 @thirds.co

My Mega Nationals 2026 Highlights Last week was amazing, already looking forward to doing it all again Thank you to: Rhys, Sheena, Alen & Jeremy, Chloe & Dilly for putting your trust in me and allowing me to help out My lifters, Ayra, Caleb, Daniel & Davin, for always showing up. You guys make my job easy, and I'm incredibly proud of the work you all consistently put in Keegan for helping out, it was great having a second pair of eyes, and having you there made the whole experience more enjoyable. Many more Nationals & international comps to come Sezer for helping out in the last session and looking handsome while doing so All the volunteers, @thirds.co , @strengthstream_productions & @australianpowerliftingalliance for another great event. Without yous, last week wouldn't have been possible so huge shoutout to you all And, to all my friends from the other side of the country, it was lovely seeing you all again 👨‍🎨 @bhvisuals_ 📸 @thirds.co

2026 APL States Ascension kết quả đội 6 Athletes 🥇 x 1 🥈 x 3 🥉 x 1 Attempts Success Rate: 88.89% PBs: 24 Game Day: @darwin.pl Assist: @lkstrength 🎥: @buffdumpling @repeat.cr As always, cảm ơn to @inthe_houseofpain and volunteers for the event! #ascension #vietnam #powerlifting

Skill improves efficiency. When positioning and execution are dialled in, each rep carries a lower fatigue cost. That means you can either do less work to lift the same weight, or lift more weight with the same amount of work. As a result, better skill allows you to tolerate higher workloads over time, which sets the foundation for better long-term progress. That being said, we don’t want to get too caught up with chasing “perfect” technique. Good technique exists on a spectrum and will look different from lifter to lifter. And, chasing perfection too closely can also pull attention away from training and effort, which can limit progress. 🔑 Key takeaways: ✅️ If there are clear technical inefficiencies, addressing them to some degree, that suits your build and movement patterns will only have a positive impact on your training ✅️ When trying to improve skill, make sure you’re still pushing hard in training. Remember, technique doesn’t have to be “textbook/perfect”, it just has to work for you and allow productive training over time 🎥 @buffdumpling @repeat.cr