The couple Dinh Anh Hoang (21 years old) and Tran Mai Ngoc (19 years old) helped Vietnam ping pong (men and women's doubles) get the historic SEA Games gold medal after 26 years of waiting, after a journey. excellent performance. And in many important moments, which should have been psychological problems, the carefreeness helped the two athletes get rid of the pressure and win glory for the country.
Couple Dinh Anh Hoang (21 years old) and Tran Mai Ngoc (19 years old).
Reporter: How did the journey of the two boys fighting each other begin? But why the two of you paired with each other and not with other people?
Tran Mai Ngoc: The first time we paired, paired together was from 2019.
Dinh Anh Hoang: Also because they are two young and potential athletes of the T&T Club, he directed the two younger brothers to pair up, also to set further goals.
The couple Dinh Anh Hoang (21 years old) and Tran Mai Ngoc (19 years old) helped Vietnam's table tennis (men's and women's doubles) win the historic SEA Games gold medal after 26 years of waiting.
Reporter: Two young athletes, their individual talents are one thing, but pairing them together is another. So are there any problems or obstacles in the process of cooperation between the two of you?
Dinh Anh Hoang: Yes you do (laughs). Because we are also young, and when we are just paired together, our expertise is not enough, so many times we fight with more spirit and youth than you.
It's good for both of them to play together, but they're new to each other, so many things don't fully understand each other. As for this SEA Games, this is the first time we've combined to fight abroad, now we also have a considerable amount of time to fight together, so we understand each other better, from many angles.
And to talk about difficulties, there are also psychological problems. There were times when the two of them had problems or had family problems, and the competition was not good. We also talked and encouraged each other. For me, Ngoc is like me, and for Ngoc, I am a brother in the team to try harder.
Reporter: Recalling a bit about the time when you first fell in love with table tennis, is it your favorite since childhood?
Tran Mai Ngoc: I joined the club in 2013. When I was a kid, I wasn't really passionate about table tennis either. At that time, my mother let me try to play table tennis to see if I liked it. Then I also went to practice and felt a bit like it, and later had the opportunity to be called into the club by the coach.
Dinh Anh Hoang: I joined the club a little earlier than Ngoc, about 13 years. Previously, I was taught to play table tennis by my father from a young age and I also practiced in my home province. After that, I was accepted by the teacher into the T&T Club for basic training.
Reporter: Having to be away from family since childhood, then practice and live at the club How do you feel about two very young athletes?
Tran Mai Ngoc: At first, when I came here, I was a bit homesick, later on, it got better. On Tet days, I could visit my family.
Dinh Anh Hoang: At first, we came here and lived in a group with homesickness, missing dad and mom, everything had to be independent and living. But the good thing is that we live together for a long time, we feel very happy like a family. However, over the years, things have changed a lot, especially in terms of facilities. When we first joined the club, there were quite a few members, and the facilities were not as good as they are now, and many things were lacking. Now, there are many children, young teams, and older aunts and uncles, so the conditions are much better than before.
Reporter: The intensity of training at the club, especially before tournaments, is understandable. But as a student of Mr. Cuong (athlete Vu Manh Cuong, who brought Vietnam table tennis the first gold medal of mixed doubles at the SEA Games 26 years ago) is there anything different?
Reporter: The intensity of training at the club, especially before tournaments, is understandable. But as a student of Mr. Cuong (athlete Vu Manh Cuong, who brought Vietnam table tennis the first gold medal of mixed doubles at the SEA Games 26 years ago) is there anything different?
Dinh Anh Hoang: It's also very strict because Mr. Cuong, our head coach is very strict in practice. With everyone, he was comfortable and enthusiastic, and he was just "difficult" with us. When we practice a lot, we are also stressed because the teacher yells.
Reporter: Are you mad at him for being so difficult?
Tran Mai Ngoc: No, we're not angry.
Dinh Anh Hoang: Yes yes. When I was a kid, someone yelled at me, I was so angry. It is not correct to say that you are not angry. But in the long run, we understand you and your wishes to the team. This is also what made us who we are today.
I am very disciplined and value discipline. Outside of practice, all the teachers and students were sociable, happy and sad to share, but when I entered the practice room, I was very strict myself. Especially for athletes like Dinh Anh Hoang and Tran Mai Ngoc, if there is a professional problem that cannot be met despite a lot of practice, we often remind, even sometimes, have to speak loudly. Because if I was not strict, not disciplined, the two athletes would not be here today.
Reporter: So how do you see each other's personalities? Is there a big difference between playing and real life?
Dinh Anh Hoang: I find Ngoc strong, cold, and a bit… a fan of him (laughs). But Ngoc has one thing that I find special that is carefree, doesn't think much, so there are decisions that people feel pressured, she handles very well, not affected much. Like sometimes there are situations when thinking a lot becomes pressure, and Ngoc is very comfortable.
Reporter: If you could use one word to describe your relationship in competition, what would it be?
Dinh Anh Hoang: Brotherhood? (laugh). I see that kind of thing. I feel like brothers in the team, of the same sex. I understand Ngoc's technique, but Ngoc also understands my technique, so when they compete, they are also rhythmic. Sometimes, looking at the situation, you can tell if it's broken or not.
Reporter: A slightly personal question, do you two have any special wishes or goals besides table tennis that you want to accomplish? Especially with the support of the awards given to athletes who have won medals in the past time?
Tran Mai Ngoc: The prize this time, I just put it in the savings book. I will try to compete to win more prizes and then put them in the book. If I want to do something later, I can open the passbook to use it.
Dinh Anh Hoang: Currently, I do not need to use the economy much, but only focus on expertise, so I also save money. As for the goal of being loved by the fans, we will try to do better, more perfect so that everyone can be happy and happy when coming to Vietnam table tennis.
Reporter: Thank you both for joining the conversation. I wish you both a lot of health and confidence to continue your passion.
Producer: Ngo Viet Anh
Content: Trung Hieu
Present: Duong Duong
Photo: Characters provided
Date of manufacture: 26/5/2023
Nhandan.vn
