The "gold hunter" of Dong Nai sports

Journey to Badminton

On the white-lit courts, each powerful and decisive swing of Nguyen Thuy Linh's racket always makes the audience hold their breath. Few people know that behind that confidence and professional playing style is a long and arduous journey of the little girl, starting from a simple passion for the racket and the ball.

Born in 1997 in Phu Tho province, Thuy Linh started playing badminton when she was 10 years old. Her love for the sport came from her grandfather, who used to watch the matches passionately and was the first person to encourage his granddaughter to pick up a racket.

“I came to badminton thanks to my grandfather. At that time, I just liked to play for fun, but gradually I fell in love without realizing it,” Thuy Linh said.

However, Thuy Linh's path to professional sports was not smooth. When she was 11 years old, her mother was worried that her child was still young and that pursuing a career in sports would be difficult and unstable, so she advised her to quit to focus on studying. She put down her racket and returned to focus on studying like any other student. But perhaps her true passion was not easily extinguished. At the age of 14, fate brought her back to badminton, and this time, Thuy Linh clearly determined that she would pursue badminton to the end.

Joining the Dong Nai province badminton team was a big turning point in Thuy Linh’s career. The professional, high-intensity training environment, long physical training sessions, unsuccessful competition days…, all made the 16-year-old girl very excited because she learned many skills and competition experience, but also made her feel discouraged at times.

“The age of 16 was the most difficult period. When I did not achieve the results I wanted, my mother thought about giving up and letting me go to university. But the coach at that time encouraged me a lot. Thanks to that, I persevered in training and got better results,” Thuy Linh shared.

It was also from those days that the character of a true athlete was formed. Ms. Thuy Linh said, there were times when she was very sad when she failed, but she never gave up because of pressure.

“Every time I get too tired, I allow myself a few days off to think. Then I go back to the training ground, because I know that only effort can help me move forward,” Thuy Linh confided.

From a little girl passionately holding a racket in the village yard, Nguyen Thuy Linh gradually asserted her position in the Dong Nai badminton team. Hard work, strong will and learning spirit helped her to quickly improve, and was evaluated by experts as a player with comprehensive technique and stable performance. Many coaches believe that Thuy Linh has a rare competitive spirit, always knows how to overcome pressure and turn failure into motivation.

For Thuy Linh, every success is the result of months of constant training. She does not see badminton as just a career, but as a way to live a meaningful life, to spread positive spirit to the younger generation.

“I know that many people follow and support me, especially young people. Therefore, I always try to live positively, compete with all my might and live an exemplary life to become a good citizen,” Thuy Linh confided.

Nguyen Thuy Linh has now become a representative face of Dong Nai sports, a symbol of the will to constantly strive. That journey not only depicts a talented tennis player but also a beautiful story about the determination, love of sports and the desire to conquer the peak of the "golden girl" in the Vietnamese badminton village.

Nguyen Thuy Linh, a Vietnamese singles tennis player, currently ranked 17th in the world , has twice had the honor of representing Vietnam at the Tokyo (Japan) and Paris (France) Olympic Games. During her career, she has won many gold, silver and bronze medals at national, international and open badminton tournaments. With her outstanding contributions, Thuy Linh was awarded many certificates of merit by the Chairman of Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Vietnam Olympic Committee, recognizing her contributions to the development of sports and the Vietnamese Olympic movement.

Dream never give up

Looking back at the journey from the early days when Thuy Linh practiced at home to stepping onto international courts, Mr. Ho Nguyen Vinh Quang, head coach of the Dong Nai province badminton team, Provincial Sports Training and Competition Center, could not hide his pride.

“Since Thuy Linh was very young, we saw her potential and when we joined the provincial team together, and competed together in national and international tournaments, those were unforgettable days,” Mr. Quang said.

Mr. Quang said: "My training and good mental preparation for Thuy Linh before the competition helped her feel more secure every time she entered a tense match, and today when Thuy Linh achieved a high ranking, I really feel happy."

Ms. Nguyen Thuy Linh, the coaching staff and members of the Dong Nai province badminton team were delighted with their victory when they achieved the championship in the women's singles event. Photo: DVCC

Mr. Quang mentioned the first long trips, when Thuy Linh was still hesitant before the international competition, not used to the pressure and different competition environment. “Thuy Linh participated in point analysis tournaments to improve her world ranking when she was young. Thuy Linh set foot on the international field for the first time, far from home, far from the team, the pressure was huge. But she tried to overcome, she turned the difficulties into a springboard for success” - Mr. Quang shared.

Regarding the factors that make a tennis player like Thuy Linh today, Mr. Quang affirmed that there are 3 key factors, which are: outstanding technical qualities, eagerness to learn and professionalism in competition.

“Technically, Thuy Linh has more than many other athletes. She knows she is strong, but she also constantly overcomes her weaknesses. Mentally, Thuy Linh always tries to improve: when practicing, when competing, when failing. And finally, when on the field, she maintains a professional demeanor, whether her opponent is stronger or weaker, she respects them, and she fights to the end,” Mr. Quang assessed.

Mr. Quang also shared about the team's future program: The Coaching Board has been advising the Dong Nai Province Sports Training and Competition Center to continue investing in Thuy Linh to participate in more international tournaments; at the same time, organize training trips to countries strong in badminton such as Thailand, Indonesia... "The goal is not only to help Thuy Linh develop better but also to let young athletes of Dong Nai learn international experience" - Mr. Quang said.

“I hope that young people will always burn with passion, live healthy and keep a positive spirit. Enjoy your youth and the journey ahead, give your all for the flag and the country. No matter how difficult it is, as long as you keep trying and believe in yourself, we will definitely reach the goal.”
Badminton player NGUYEN THUY LINH

According to Mr. Quang, for Dong Nai’s young athletes, the Coaching Board will have a training and competition plan suitable for each age group, creating conditions for athletes to be sent for international training and competition, thereby improving their techniques, tactics and competitive spirit. This shows that Mr. Quang not only sets goals for Thuy Linh personally but also for the entire badminton system of the province.

Le Duy

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/202510/nguoi-san-vang-cua-the-thao-dong-nai-eec4115/