'Invincible' Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat determined to win double World Games championship

'Invincible' Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat and his mentor, Coach Giap Trung Thang, aim to successfully defend their Muay Thai gold medal at the World Games taking place in Chengdu (China).

New rival, but the older the ginger, the spicier it is

Three years ago at the World Games Birmingham (USA), Vietnam's "undefeated" Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat won the gold medal in the 57 kg Muay Thai category. He defeated his opponent from Kazakhstan in the final match and was moved to see the national flag flying. Duy Nhat also shared his feelings after the victory, he felt great pride when the Vietnamese flag was raised at the US stadium.

Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat and coach Giap Trung Thang after the historic victory PHOTO: TK

This time, he is also the only Muay Thai fighter representing Vietnam to compete in the 12th World Games in Chengdu (China), from August 7 to 17. Duy Nhat said: "The World Games is a miniature but very high-quality playground of the world tournament. Although the tournament only has 8 athletes and I only need to go through 3 matches to conquer the prestigious gold medal, all the participating opponents are big names in the world Muay Thai village, especially the fighters from Central Asia and Europe who are very tall, have long arms and strong physique. I have prepared carefully with coach Giap Trung Thang following closely, encouraging and guiding me to adapt to each opponent. Hopefully, with a fighting style suitable for each match and with appropriate adjustments, I will gradually "fight" each opponent confidently".

Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat won the 2022 World Games PHOTO: TK

What did Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat's teacher say?

Coach Giap Trung Thang commented: "This is the third World Games that Duy Nhat has attended since the first time in 2009 and can also be considered Duy Nhat's last world sports event.

This is also the best opportunity for me to conquer the world's peak once again, determined to successfully defend the gold medal, bringing more achievements to the country. I have looked through the list of opponents coming to Chengdu this time, they are quite new compared to 3 years ago. The most worrying are the boxers from Ukraine, France, Israel, UAE and especially the home boxer Yuxi Yang cannot be underestimated. Tomorrow we leave and on August 7th we will draw lots to know who Duy Nhat's opponent is. No matter who the boxer is, my teachers and I will study carefully, calculate each match and try our best not to disappoint the fans. The Muay Thai quarter-finals will take place on August 8th, the semi-finals on August 9th and the final on August 10th. Hopefully Duy Nhat will be present until the last match."

Teachers and students are determined to win more victories for the country. PHOTO: TK

Along with Duy Nhat, another female martial artist will also prove that "the older the ginger, the spicier it is". That is Duong Thuy Vi in the two categories of swordsmanship and spearmanship in wushu. The ASIAD champion from 11 years ago in Incheon (Korea), who won in Birmingham in 2022, is also expected to successfully defend the gold medal like Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat. In addition to these two martial artists, another hope is placed on 3-cushion player Tran Quyet Chien. He is also the only Vietnamese athlete to be present at 3 consecutive World Games.

In addition, Vietnamese sports can also expect the explosion of wushu martial artists (taolu) such as Ngo Thi Phuong Nga (52 kg for women), Do Huy Hoang (56 kg for men), Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy (60 kg for women) or Nong Van Huu, Dang Tran Phuong Nhi (men's boxing performance). In addition, we can mention other names such as Phung Kien Tuong (women's 3-cushion billiards), Trieu Thi Phuong Thuy (kick-boxing), Vo Minh Luan, Kim Thi Thu Thao (petanque), the aerobic team (who won the World Games mixed doubles gold medal in 2013) and the women's handball team. In total, there are 25 athletes in 7 sports that Vietnam will compete in the 2025 World Games.

Duong Thuy Vi (middle) won the gold medal at the 2022 World Games. PHOTO: HOANG QUOC VINH

The first time Vietnam won a gold medal at the World Games was in Kaohsiung (Taiwan) in 2009 with Nguyen Hoang Ngan (kata karate). After that, every Games had 1 gold medal like in 2013 in Colombia for aerobics and 2017 in Poland for Bui Yen Ly (muay). The most recent time in 2022, Vietnam won 2 gold medals with Duy Nhat and Thuy Vi, so if this time, Vietnam can either defend 2 gold medals or win a third or fourth gold medal, it will be a great success for the country's sports.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doc-co-cau-bai-nguyen-tran-duy-nhat-quyet-gianh-cu-dup-vo-dich-world-games-18525080412135835.htm