The strange attraction of tug of war championship, professional organization scale

The first season of the 2025 Tug of War Championship ended with record numbers, affirming the strong spread of the tug of war movement when organized in a professional, modern and youth-friendly way.

Nearly 2,000 athletes compete in the qualifying round of the tug of war tournament.

With nearly 200 competing teams, nearly 2,000 athletes and about 20,000 people directly participating in cheering, the tournament became the largest-scale grassroots tug-of-war playground ever in Vietnam.

The tug of war is very attractive to the audience.

Photo: Organizing Committee

The prize has found its worthy owner.

Over the course of nearly two months, the tournament took place in seven qualifying rounds in Hanoi, Hung Yen, Hai Phong and Thai Nguyen. Each round attracted a large number of athletes and young people, reflecting the special appeal of the heritage sport when it returned to modern life.

At Dai Nam University, more than 200 athletes from 18 teams opened the season in a vibrant atmosphere. At the University of Commerce, 22 teams with more than 330 athletes continued to heat up. At My Hao ( Hung Yen ), 32 teams with more than 300 athletes brought a "fiery" competition day in cold, rainy weather, with enthusiastic cheers from local people.

A similar atmosphere took place atFPT Polytechnic Hanoi, where 20 teams with more than 230 athletes entered the pulls with determination.

The qualifying rounds at Noi Bai Industrial Park (Hanoi), Tien Lang Industrial Cluster (Hai Phong) and Thai Nguyen University of Industry continued to strengthen the scale of the tournament. Notably, each qualifying round at Tien Lang and Thai Nguyen University of Industry attracted up to 40 teams.

Young athletes of Thai Nguyen University of Industry team

Photo: Bui Huy

The tournament's professional operation system is also well invested. Each competition venue mobilizes 5 to 6 referees, a total of more than 40 members of the referee team participating throughout the qualifying round to the final.

The gala night of the National Finals at Thai Nguyen University of Industry gathered the 8 best teams. In the enthusiastic cheering atmosphere of thousands of students, the host team Thai Nguyen University of Industry won the championship after a dramatic match with the University of Science (Thai Nguyen University). Third place went to Logistics and International Business 01 team (Dai Nam University), while the IS Handball team (DHD College of Commerce) ranked fourth.

Closing a season marked by abundant youthful energy and peak endurance, this year's Youth Tug of War Championship also made a strong impression with the final gala night, attracting nearly 7,000 participants. This is a gratitude event for athletes and spectators - those who contributed to the success of the season. The spirit of solidarity, perseverance, smooth coordination and determination of the athletes created memorable moments of "unleashing strength - strengthening endurance", thereby contributing to bringing tug of war - a sport recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage - back with a more youthful and modern look.

With a solid foundation in terms of scale, organization and strong community response, the Rockstar Cup Tug of War Championship is shaping a new grassroots sports icon for Vietnamese youth - a playground that connects traditional beauty with the breath of the times and has the potential to become the largest annual grassroots sports event for Vietnamese youth.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/suc-loi-cuon-ky-la-cua-giai-vo-dich-keo-co-quy-mo-to-chuc-chuyen-nghiep-185251209130714367.htm