Commonwealth games athlete awarded local legend status

PIC: Supplied

Nang Nguyen has taken home the city's community award for the month of July.

Nang Nguyen has been recognised by the City of Mandurah for his outstanding efforts and contributions to the Mandurah community.

Nguyen, who contracted polio and was left homeless at one point in his young life, arrived in Australia as a 12-year-old. He's represented Australia in wheelchair basketball and at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games as a powerlifter.

Nang has been living in Mandurah for 12 months now and is planning to use his skills to contribute to the community.

He is helping set up a local wheelchair basketball team and has recently started a mobile gym service specialising in helping those with a disability work out.

Nang has a qualification in community service and disability and works for a not-for profit organisation supporting young people with Autism.

When he arrived in Australia he could not read or write English but received a TAFE qualification after learning the language.

“Nang's story is in some parts sad and challenging, given his personal and family circumstances," Mandurah Mayor Rhys Williams said. 

It is also a story that inspires. Despite being homeless at times, he, through sheer determination reached the top of his sport – representing Australia at the Commonwealth Games,”

“Nang is now making a special contribution to our community.

“His nominator spoke of his commitment to community service in the disability sector. Supporting young people with autism, coaching a wheelchair basketball team, as well as starting a mobile gym service to assist those with disabilities these were all contributing factors to what makes Nang this
month's Local Legend."

The Local Legends award was established to recognise and celebrate outstanding people who have made a positive, active contribution to the Mandurah community.

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