With 17 years of experience as a martial arts instructor at the National Defense Sports Center 2, Military Region 7, Major Nguyen Thanh Bach Nhut is always dedicated and devoted to his profession. Mr. Nhut said: "To become a good martial artist, in addition to the necessary qualities such as good physique and agility, martial arts students must also have faith and a strong will in training". This is what Mr. Nhut always conveys to his students and is also the "compass" for more than 30 years of pursuing the path of martial arts, leading to his success in both roles: Athlete and coach.

Before working at the National Defense Sports Center 2, Mr. Nhut was a traditional martial arts athlete and successfully competed in many tournaments. In addition to his achievements of 8 gold medals and 2 silver medals at the National Championship (from 1995 to 2004), Mr. Nhut also won 6 international awards in pencak silat. In 2003, Mr. Nhut was honored to be awarded the Medal for the cause of physical education and sports for his many contributions to the cause of physical education and sports in Vietnam. But perhaps for Mr. Nhut, the most wonderful and happiest thing is that martial arts is the opportunity for him to meet female martial artist Dao Thi Luot - who won the Gold Medal at the national pencak silat competition in 2002. Mr. Nhut confided: "Although we had impressions of each other from previous competitions, it was not until we were both called up to the national team in 2002 that we both had more time and conditions to give each other special feelings."

Mr. Nhut and his daughter Phuong Thao won the Gold Medal (family competition) when competing at the Southern Vietnamese Martial Arts Tournament (August 2022). Photo provided by the character

Two years of dating is the same amount of time that Mr. Nhut and Ms. Luot have tried to practice and compete together to achieve many achievements for the country's sports. In 2004, Mr. Nhut received a Bronze Medal at the Pencak Silat World Championship held in Singapore. Just one day later, their wedding took place. At that time, the whole team went to Hanoi to attend their wedding.

Originally from Hanoi, Ms. Luot followed her husband to the South, far from her family and relatives. Then when she gave birth, she retired and moved back to the rear so that Mr. Nhut could focus on his career. In 2014, Ms. Luot applied to work as a cook at the National Defense Sports Center 2 to support her husband financially . Working here, Ms. Luot has time to take care of her children, and at the same time support and care for generations of athletes of the Center to have good physical strength, serving for training and competition.

The perseverance and determination forged during the years of pursuing martial arts have helped Ms. Luot overcome all initial difficulties to both fulfill her assigned tasks well and manage her family well. The results she has cultivated have borne sweet fruit: Her two children are both well-behaved, good at studying and obedient to their parents. When he was 8 years old, his son Nguyen Nhut Anh (born in 2007) also began to learn martial arts with his father. In particular, his daughter Phuong Thao (born in 2014) has been very active and agile since she was a child. Every day, when Mr. Nhut goes to practice or teach, he often takes Phuong Thao along.

Nguyen Thanh Bach Nhut and his wife and two children. Photo provided by the character

Seeing his daughter watching everyone practice enthusiastically, Mr. Nhut jokingly asked: "Do you want to try practicing?". Immediately, the little girl nodded in agreement. After only a few practice sessions, Mr. Nhut saw that his daughter learned quickly, and when performing the martial arts movements, her eyes were very soulful. Discovering his daughter's talent, he discussed with his wife about letting her pursue martial arts. At that time, Phuong Thao was just 7 years old.

Inheriting the qualities of both parents and a passion for martial arts, even though she had only studied martial arts for a year, Phuong Thao boldly participated in competitions. In 2022, Phuong Thao achieved many remarkable achievements, such as: Gold Medal at the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Championship; Silver Medal at the National Youth-Junior Championship; Gold Medal at the Ho Chi Minh City Open Traditional Martial Arts Festival. Notably, in August 2022, Phuong Thao and Mr. Nhut won the Gold Medal (family competition) when competing at the Southern Vietnamese Martial Arts Tournament. With the above achievements, Phuong Thao was honored to be one of 300 outstanding students in the entire army to be honored at the 5th Military Excellent Student Award Conference. The traditional martial arts performance of the youngest girl participating in the conference left an impression on everyone present that day.

More than 20 years ago, Vietnamese sports continuously congratulated the talented athlete couple for their many achievements on the competition floor. Now, the traditional martial arts community hopes that the second generation - their children - will continue the family tradition and continue to reap many successes.

Wisdom