Shooting team overcomes difficulties to find gold

Shooters practice hard at Tran Oanh shooting range.

At any stage, shooting has always been of interest to the province, most clearly shown in the training system going in the right direction with systematic methods. However, with the development trend of modern shooting, the Thanh Hoa shooting team faces many difficulties in terms of facilities and training equipment.

Anyone who has ever come to see the shooting teachers and students practice at the Tran Oanh shooting range (Provincial Sports Training and Competition Center) can see how hard this sport is. Under the hot summer sun, just standing is enough to make you sweat, but the athletes have to wear heavy, thick clothes and hold the gun, standing and lying down to practice aiming for hours. The coaches carefully observe, correct each movement and give timely advice to the athletes. Seeing the coaches and athletes trying so hard, everyone is surprised to know that all the team's daily exercises are "dry practice", not a single practice bullet leaves the barrel of the gun.

Due to the nature of the equipment for shooting practice and competition, it is very difficult to buy due to strict regulations from the management agency. Because the cost of purchasing guns is very expensive, the department has a very limited number of guns. Buying ammunition (sport shooting) for practice of the department also encounters many difficulties. This is due to the State's quite strict regulations on the supply of ammunition for sport shooting competitions, so there are very few companies and businesses that stand up to distribute. That is a big barrier for the shooting team.

“Despite the great attention of the provincial leaders and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism , the shortcomings in purchasing guns and ammunition for practice are still a difficult problem. The lack of ammunition for practice has been happening regularly for more than 10 years now. Athletes in the rifle category have almost no ammunition for practice. Only close to the competition date can athletes practice with ammunition, which was also purchased in 2020 and saved for use until now. In 2024, we registered to buy ammunition for practice, but until now it has not been available. In the flying disc shooting category, there is an even greater shortage when, in addition to ammunition, athletes also lack guns and specialized shooting ranges, with equipment such as flying discs, disc shooting machines, shooting range controllers...”, Head Coach of the shooting team Tu Ngoc Dung confided.

The more difficult and arduous the situation, the more determined the Thanh Hoa shooting team is to strive to improve. Under the guidance of the coaches and the guidance of the senior athletes who have made a name for themselves, the shooting athletes are growing more and more mature.

Athlete Bui Hoang Viet shared: “Despite training in extremely difficult circumstances, over the years, the whole team has always encouraged each other to practice hard and devote themselves to the province's sports. In addition to professional training and physical strength enhancement, the coaching staff has also trained us in techniques, tactics, courage and competitive mentality.”

Currently, Thanh Hoa shooting - archery team has 8 coaches and is maintaining a good force of athletes in 3 lines. Of which, there are 18 provincial athletes, 16 young athletes and 11 talented athletes. In addition to athletes who have affirmed their names such as Phung Le Huyen, Do Manh Dinh, Mai Thi Thuong, Ta Trang Thu, Nguyen Thanh Dat, Mai Anh Tuan, Le Thi Giang, there are many other potential, young shooters such as Nguyen Viet Hieu, Nguyen Dinh Loc, Bui Hoang Viet, Nguyen Thi Huyen Trang... In the national team, shooting contributes 3 excellent athletes including: Le Thi Giang, Mai Anh Tuan, Le Thi Mai.

At the national sports congresses, the Thanh Hoa shooting team has always maintained a stable performance, affirming its strength as a top unit in the country. In the last 4 congresses, Thanh Hoa shooting has won 3-5 gold medals along with other medals. The most recent congress was the 9th National Sports Congress in 2022, Thanh Hoa shooting team won 4 gold medals, ranked 4th, only behind very strong and heavily invested units such as Hanoi, Army, Ho Chi Minh City. At the recently held National Shooting Team Championship 2025, Thanh Hoa shooting team won 2 gold medals, 1 silver medal and 2 bronze medals.

“In the midst of many difficulties and shortages, the teachers and students of the shooting team have made constant efforts and determination in training, practice and competition. The achievements that the team has achieved in recent times can be called a “miracle”, Head Coach of the shooting team Tu Ngoc Dung proudly shared.

Head of the Training Management Department, Provincial Sports Training and Competition Center Nguyen Ngoc Hai, said: “Shooting has overcome difficulties in recent times to grow. The Center has always paid attention and invested heavily in shooting and considered this a sport chosen for key investment. In addition to constantly improving and standardizing the coaching staff, the department will be flexible in training, creating conditions for students to participate in training and compete in tournaments. Thereby, the coaching staff will screen the force, discover talented athletes, to invest in key areas and strategies for the following years. In the immediate future, the coaching staff has also put forward a very clear training and practice plan for the 10th National Sports Festival in 2026 with the goal of winning 4 gold medals or more.”

Article and photos: Anh Tuan

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/doi-tuyen-ban-sung-vuot-kho-tim-vang-253312.htm