Swimmer Nguyen Thi Anh Vien (Photo VNA).

The 21-year-old topped the poll with 1,560 points, just 21 points more than her nearest rival weightlifter Thach Kim Tuan (1,539 points).

Runner Le Tu Chinh came third winning 1,274 points.

Vien convinced voters, about 200 journalists, with her great performance at different competitions throughout the year.

Apart from medals that she took in the United States where she is training, Vien was gold-hope of Vietnam in all sports festivals and she made it.

The runner Le Tu Chinh came the third position.

The girl brought home two golds, one silver and set a new record at the Asian Indoor Games and Martial Arts (AIMAG) in September in Turkmenistan after eight top podium finishes along with three records at the Malaysian Southeast Asian Games in August.

Other athletes in the top 10 were gymnast Le Thanh Tung, chess master Le Quang Liem, runner Nguyen Thi Huyen, and long jumper Bui Thi Thu Thao, in addition to wushu martial artist Dương Thúy Vi, swimmer Nguyen Huu Kim Son and weightlifter Trinh Van Vinh.

Source: VNA