"Action heroine" Ha Thi Linh and her extraordinary willpower.

VHO - Having been involved in sports for over 16 years, the story of boxer Ha Thi Linh (a Tay ethnic girl from Lao Cai) continues to touch the hearts of sports fans and inspire pride in the qualities of Vietnamese women: resilience, perseverance, love, and unwavering determination in all circumstances.

Martial artist Ha Thi Linh (third from the left) at the 2025 Outstanding Women of Hanoi Award Ceremony. Photo: X. HAI

As one of eight outstanding individuals recently honored by the Hanoi People's Committee at the 95th anniversary celebration of the Vietnam Women's Union, Ha Thi Linh is not only a "steel fist" of Vietnamese sports but also a living symbol of the extraordinary willpower and resilience of Vietnamese women in the new era.

From a girl from an ethnic minority to a boxing "star".

Born into a poor farming family in the highlands of Lao Cai, Ha Thi Linh's life seemed destined to be tied to the fields and the arduous struggle for survival. However, at the age of 12, this thin, agile girl caught the eye of coach Nguyen Nhu Cuong, who discovered Linh's exceptional talent during a selection process for the Hanoi boxing team. From then on, her life took a different, more difficult, but also more glorious, path.

In the early days away from home, Linh had to face the longing for her mother, the pain from her injury, and the loneliness in a strange city. Without a phone or family, she could only grit her teeth and endure, because behind her was her impoverished family placing their hopes on her. “Whenever I missed home, I told myself I had to try my best to help my parents escape poverty,” she recalled. It was this determination that allowed Linh to overcome all obstacles and gradually make a name for herself in the arena.

After two years of rigorous training, Linh was promoted to the national youth team, then the national team. At just 20 years old, she won the gold medal at the 2013 SEA Games in her first participation in the regional competition.

Since then, her journey has been a series of remarkable achievements: Gold Medal at the 2022 National Sports Games, Gold Medal at the 2023 National Championships, Gold Medal at the 32nd SEA Games in 2023, Silver Medal at the 2024 Asian Championships, Bronze Medal at the 2025 World Championships, and most notably, she secured the 11th ticket for Vietnamese sports to the 2024 Paris Olympics - a testament to her talent and unwavering ambition to reach the pinnacle.

But behind those dazzling medals lie countless drops of sweat and tears. The little girl from years ago is now a mother of two, still diligently training every day, preparing for the upcoming SEA Games 33 in Thailand, with the goal of bringing more glory to the nation. For Linh, "sports is my passion, the path that has helped me change my life, but above all, it is my responsibility to the national flag."

A mother's strength and unwavering determination for her country's colors.

While Hà Thị Linh is as powerful as an "iron fist" on the competition floor, off the field she is a gentle and self-sacrificing mother. The story of her winning the gold medal at the 2018 National Sports Games when her first daughter was only 6 months old has moved many people.

Unable to send her child to daycare due to financial difficulties, Linh asked permission to bring her child to Hanoi and rented a small room near the training center. She recounted, "I trained during the day and breastfed my child at night. Sometimes I was so tired, but just hearing my child cry gave me strength." It was her love for her child and her family that helped her overcome the most challenging limitations.

In 2020, Linh gave birth to her second child and had to temporarily leave the national team. But just two years later, she returned stronger than ever, winning a gold medal at the 2022 National Sports Games, and then continuing to shine at the 32nd SEA Games. She emotionally recounted: “My coach told me to try my best to earn money to buy milk for my children. That encouragement brought tears to my eyes and made me determined to give it my all.” After each victory, people see Linh's radiant smile, but few know that behind it are long nights missing her children, and tears shed in the training room as her body hadn't yet recovered after childbirth.

Her family is her strong support system. Her husband (a fellow villager who understands and shares her hardships) volunteered to stay home and take care of their two children so she could fully pursue her career. "I miss my two little ones terribly, but when I hear them call and tell me to keep trying, Mom, it gives me more motivation," Linh shared. It is this love that has helped Linh overcome all challenges and continue writing new chapters for Vietnamese boxing.

On the competition floor, she wasn't just fighting for herself, but also for the Vietnamese women who are striving every day in life – mothers, wives, and workers who are always strong and resilient. Linh's victory is not just a sporting victory, but a victory of willpower, of maternal love, of the qualities of a Vietnamese woman who excels in both her professional and domestic life, and a victory of an athlete who always gives her all to compete for the colors of her country.

At 30 years old, Ha Thi Linh continues her journey of conquering new heights. Each punch she throws in the ring is not just a display of physical strength, but also the power of belief, aspiration, and love. From a poor girl from the highlands to a SEA Games champion, continental runner-up, world bronze medalist, and now a mother of two carrying the national flag on her shoulders, Linh is living proof of the simple truth: "There are no limits to the willpower of Vietnamese women."

On October 20th – Vietnamese Women's Day – the story of martial artist Ha Thi Linh is not only a tribute to the women who have silently contributed and continue to contribute, but also a powerful source of inspiration for the younger generation: that, no matter the circumstances, with faith, passion, and love, every woman can become a symbol of resilience and compassion, just as Ha Thi Linh is shining brightly, simply yet proudly, in everyday life and on the international sports stage.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/da-nu-ha-thi-linh-va-nghi-luc-phi-thuong-175882.html