The iron-willed female captain of Vietnamese handball.

Through extraordinary resilience in overcoming injury and an unwavering desire to conquer, athlete Ha Thi Hanh has affirmed her position as the leader of the Vietnamese women's handball team, serving as an example of courage and dedication to Hanoi's sports scene.

Hà Nội Mới•04/06/2026

The haunting specter of torn ligaments and the records they set.

Ha Thi Hanh is a familiar name in Vietnamese handball in general and Hanoi in particular. At 15 years old, this "petite girl" born in 1994 was selected by scouts for athletics but was rejected because her physique was considered too small and unsuitable. Her dream of pursuing sports seemed to end, but a turning point came for the Hanoi athlete when a coach on the team chose her to switch to handball.

Ha Thi Hanh (holding the ball) is playing. In the final match of the 33rd SEA Games. Photo: Ngoc Tu

Having started playing handball at the age of 15, just two years later, Ha Thi Hanh won the Southeast Asian championship with the Vietnamese national team. Since 2014, Ha Thi Hanh has competed in both indoor and beach handball. From then on, she was entrusted with the captain's armband for the Hanoi women's handball team. In 2020, the athlete born in 1994 continued to lead the Vietnamese women's handball team, a position she holds to this day.

Throughout her career, the female athlete has amassed an impressive record with 7 consecutive national championships, 4 Southeast Asian championships, 2 SEA Games gold medals, and notably, 3 Asian championships, helping Vietnamese women's handball equal Thailand's record set between 2013 and 2017. Given that handball holds a significant position in Asia and is included in the Olympic Games, this achievement is all the more valuable.

With over 12 years as captain of the Hanoi women's handball team and 6 years as captain of the Vietnamese women's national team, Ha Thi Hanh is one of the most experienced female captains in Vietnamese sports. However, injuries remain a constant threat to this athlete. Competing in a high-intensity, contact sport like handball, Ha Thi Hanh has faced numerous serious injuries: a fractured nasal bone, torn ankle ligaments, and ruptured knee ligaments...

"A torn ligament is like a nightmare for all athletes. I had to lie still in a hospital bed after knee ligament surgery, using crutches, and then gradually learn to walk again, putting in a lot of effort before I could return to training," Ha Thi Hanh shared.

However, each time she fell, this athlete told herself she had to get back up strong, continue wearing the captain's armband, and lead her teammates to conquer new heights. Among the captains of Vietnamese sports teams, Ha Thi Hanh has a special and haunting nickname: "The female captain with a torn ligament."

"Among all the medals, my most emotional achievement is the gold medal at the recently concluded SEA Games 33. This medal marks my return after 15 months of knee ligament surgery and rehabilitation," Ha Thi Hanh shared.

Conquer new goals

With her contributions to Vietnamese handball, Ha Thi Hanh has received three Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister, the Second Class Labor Medal, and numerous Certificates of Merit from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Hanoi People's Committee. These achievements are the result of her persistent efforts, hard work, and the encouragement of her coaching staff, teammates, and family. In particular, alongside Ha Thi Hanh's success has always been the unwavering support of a special mentor in her life – Coach Pham Duc Vuong.

Ha Thi Hanh burst into tears after winning the gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games. Photo: Ngoc Tu

"Fortunately, during the most difficult times of my life, from injuries to facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, I always had my family, teammates, and especially my 'mentor,' who is also my husband, by my side, encouraging and giving me strength," Ha Thi Hanh shared.

At the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand, after defeating the Thai handball team to win the gold medal, Ha Thi Hanh burst into tears along with her teammates and coach Pham Duc Vuong. Together they overcame adversity, and once again shared the joy on the podium.

While Hạnh is a source of moral support for her teammates on the field, Coach Phạm Đức Vượng is a solid pillar of support, helping her overcome the most difficult times off the field. This silent companionship instilled confidence in the female captain, preventing her from giving up despite successive injuries and moments when she felt she might have to quit.

The journey of the "female captain with a torn ligament" is far from over. After all the injuries, comebacks, and glories she has achieved, Ha Thi Hanh still has new goals to conquer with handball - a sport that has been a part of almost her entire youth.

Not only successful on the court, the female captain of the Vietnamese handball team recently graduated from university with a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education and Sports with distinction, marking another memorable milestone in her life. This is the next chapter in the story of willpower, perseverance, and the unwavering aspiration of an athlete from Hanoi's sports system who has repeatedly risen from adversity to continue inspiring her teammates and fans.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/nu-doi-truong-thep-cua-bong-nem-viet-nam-1158922.html