The "horses" of Vietnamese sports: Aspiration for breakthroughs in their new year.

In the flow of modern Vietnamese sports, there are athletes born in the Year of the Horse who have left a strong mark on many international arenas. They possess perseverance, speed, and an unceasing desire to excel. From athletics and race walking to taekwondo mats and the intellectual battle on the 64-square chessboard, Nguyen Thi Ngoc, Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuc, Chau Tuyet Van, and Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son are four exemplary figures representing the aspiration to conquer new heights in their birth year.

Athlete Nguyen Thi Ngoc is nicknamed the "speedy girl" of Vietnamese athletics. Photo: Bui Luong.

Nguyen Thi Ngoc – the speedy girl of the 400m race.

Born in 2002 (Year of the Horse), Nguyen Thi Ngoc is a prominent figure in Vietnamese athletics, particularly in the women's 400m event. At the 33rd SEA Games, she achieved a major breakthrough by winning the gold medal in the individual 400m – a feat she had always aspired to accomplish.

Not only did Ngoc win the 400m, but she and her teammates also won two more gold medals in the women's 4x400m relay and the mixed 4x400m relay, becoming one of the best athletes of the Vietnamese athletics team at the Games. Her victory also signified a generational shift, as for the first time in many years, the SEA Games women's 400m championship was not won by a veteran athlete.

Few forget that at the 31st SEA Games, Ngoc was only a reserve option. At the 32nd SEA Games, she broke through with a gold medal in the women's 4x400m relay and gradually became a key member of the relay team – an event that won a gold medal at the 2023 Asian Championships.

In 2026 – her birth year – Ngoc aims to maintain her form and prepare for the 20th Asian Games. After missing the 2024 Olympics, the Vietnamese women's 4x400m relay team is now considered capable of competing for a continental medal. For Ngoc, the most important thing remains maintaining her fitness and focus to excel in major competitions.

Athlete Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuc is nicknamed the "Queen of Walking" of Vietnamese athletics. (Photo: Vietnam Sports News)

Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuc – a symbol of unwavering determination.

Born in 1990 in Da Nang, Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuc is known as the "Queen of Walking" in Vietnamese sports . Since winning the gold medal in the 20km race walk at the 2010 National Sports Games, she has continuously achieved success in regional and continental competitions.

In 2011, Thanh Phuc won a gold medal at the SEA Games. In 2012, she made history by winning a bronze medal at the Asian Championships and becoming the first Vietnamese track and field athlete to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics. A year later, she continued to win a silver medal at the Asian Championships, solidifying her position in the 20km race walk.

Despite experiencing some unfortunate setbacks, Thanh Phuc has always shown the resilience of a great athlete. In her fifth year, she aims to defend her continental title and aspire to an ASIAD medal – a testament to her unwavering ambition to move forward.

Athlete Chau Tuyet Van and her aspiration to win a gold medal at the ASIAD Games. (Photo: Vietnam Sports News)

Chau Tuyet Van – the aspiration to complete the collection.

Born in 1990, Chau Tuyet Van is a prominent figure in Vietnamese taekwondo poomsae (forms). Together with her teammates, she has won the women's team poomsae world championship three times (2010, 2011, 2013), the Asian Championships Gold Medal, and numerous other international titles.

Despite achieving world-class status, Tuyet Van had to wait until the 27th SEA Games to win a regional gold medal. Therefore, her biggest goal this year is the Asian Games gold medal – the only title missing from her collection. With her strong character and extensive experience, Tuyet Van remains a hopeful prospect for Vietnamese taekwondo on the continental stage.

Chess master Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son. Photo: TTVN

Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son – a master on the chessboard.

Born in 1990 in Kien Giang , Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son is an exceptional talent in Vietnamese chess. He won the U10 World Championship at the age of 9 and became a Grandmaster before the age of 15.

After a period of declining form, Truong Son made a strong comeback in 2013 with a championship title in the Asian Zone 3.3 and two individual gold medals at the 27th SEA Games. He remains a crucial pillar of the national chess team.

At the age of five, Truong Son aims to improve his international ranking and establish his position in continental and world tournaments. In a sport that demands intellect and courage like chess, maturity and experience are a major advantage.

Four athletes, four different fields, but one thing in common: a never-ending ambition. For them, turning five is not a challenge, but a milestone to set new goals, aiming for bigger arenas. From the track and field to the international chessboard and chess table, these Vietnamese athletes born in the Year of the Horse are continuing to break through, asserting their position on the regional and continental sports map.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/nhung-chu-ngua-cua-the-thao-viet-nam-khat-vong-but-pha-trong-nam-tuoi-733988.html