MAC HONG QUAN: From soccer to pickleball

Football is always the top priority of the Vietnamese star who plays for Quang Ninh Club. However, after days of intense training and competition, pickleball helps him relax and play with his wife, children and friends.

Love pickleball like football

When asked why he loves pickleball, Mac Hong Quan recalled: "Last year, after sitting and listening to a close friend excitedly talk about pickleball, I was really curious. So I took my racket out to the court right away. At first, I just thought it was for fun, but the more I played, the more I wanted to learn about this sport. I fell in love with pickleball without even realizing it. Now, whenever I have free time, I take my racket out to the court."

In the world of showbiz and sports , everyone knows that this player who grew up in the Czech Republic is passionate about pickleball, partly because of his supermodel wife Ky Han's love for it. Not only is Ky Han "addicted" to this "stormy" sport, she also idolizes the world's number 1 pickleball star Ben Johns and tennis legend Andre Agassi - who is now also very attached to pickleball.

His wife loves pickleball "crazily", and Mac Hong Quan is also affected a lot. "Ky Han has never been able to play any sport for more than 3 days. However, since getting acquainted with pickleball, she has been working hard for hours on the court every day. Ky Han's injury shocked the entire pickleball community, even I was scared when I saw it. However, after the surgery, she still asked "Doctor, when will I be able to play pickleball again?" - Mac Hong Quan recalled.

Pickleball has a strange fascination for Mac Hong Quan. Since playing pickleball, he has reconnected with many old friends in addition to new friendships through friendly competitions. Not only do they practice and compete together, but they are also willing to help each other with all problems in life. Young father Mac Hong Quan is also happy that every weekend, he and his wife have the opportunity to play with the whole family on the pickleball court, helping their children become more passionate and love the sport.

MẠC HỒNG QUÂN: Từ bóng đá đến pickleball - Ảnh 1. — Mac Hong Quan and Ky Han play together on the pickleball court. Photo: THANH TUYEN

Desire to experience

Mac Hong Quan registered to participate in the "Love Bracelet" Pickleball Tournament very early, not just one but two events according to the regulations. Initially, he wanted to compete with his wife in the guest event of the artist category. However, due to Ky Han's health condition not allowing it, he had to invite his wife's sister Cam Van to compete in the mixed doubles event in the artist and celebrity category.

Not only playing friendly matches in the artist and celebrity group, Mac Hong Quan also decided to compete in the men's doubles in the professional group, with his friend Tran Minh Dung. He expressed: "I participated in the tournament because I wanted to gain experience, because I don't always have the opportunity to play with real players. However, the most important thing is that the tournament organized by Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper is completely voluntary, helping many people with difficult lives. This is the opportunity for me to contribute a small part to this humanitarian activity for the community."

Busy practicing and playing soccer, Mac Hong Quan admits that he only understands the rules and knows how to play pickleball, "his skill level is just average". Mac Hong Quan said that every time he goes on the field, he always wants to make good shots and beautiful moves, to satisfy his own perfection rather than to be noticed by everyone.

Pickling up a pickleball racket whenever he has time, Mac Hong Quan can be himself in this individual competitive sport. Fans believe in it and will wait to see how this soccer player shows off his pickleball skills in the "Love Arms" tournament.

Ky Han supports her husband in a special way

Unable to compete, supermodel Ky Han said she would still be in the stands to cheer for her husband. Ky Han also supported the "Circle of Love" Pickleball Tournament in her own way: Giving gifts to the 3 teams that won first, second, and third place in the artist category, each prize 2 sets of pickleball costumes designed by herself.

Ky Han's pickleball fashion brand "Icon Basic" will also award 2 King and Queen prizes, each prize is 1 set of costumes for male and female artist athletes voted as "King and Queen" of the "Wings of Love" pickleball tournament.

The registration fee for the competition is 1 million VND/pair. In all categories, the first prize is 6 million VND and a trophy; the second prize is 4 million VND and a medal; the third prize is 2 million VND/prize and a medal. In addition, the Organizing Committee will award additional gifts, depending on the actual situation.

Before the registration deadline at the end of December 8, the Organizing Committee requests that the pairs of athletes who have not yet registered or have registered but have not yet transferred the competition fee, please do so soon to ensure their names are on the official competition list. On December 10, the Organizing Committee will conduct the group draw.