More playgrounds, more hope for wushu

From the concerns of the head of department

Since 2 years ago, in many discussions, Head of Wushu Department (Hanoi Sports Training and Competition Center) Phan Quoc Vinh, who is considered one of the best Sanshou martial artists in Vietnam, has always been concerned about creating more playgrounds for wushu athletes nationwide, especially in Hanoi. Having been "living and working" with the Vietnamese wushu community since childhood, this former Sanshou (combat) martial artist of Vietnam wushu fully understands the need for playgrounds for athletes. From there, creating a widespread movement, stimulating the spirit of training as well as helping athletes improve their skills.

Many martial artists from the national Sanshou team will participate in the first Hanoi Open Wushu Tournament. Photo: Thuy An

Having trained in China, the cradle of world wushu, and participated in many tournaments here, this former martial artist born in 1984 understands even more the importance of competing regularly. In China, wushu tournaments at many levels are held continuously, and there is only fear of not having the strength to participate. Many Vietnamese Sanshou martial artists became famous early thanks to their participation in these tournaments while training in China. Not only wushu, many sports in Hanoi, such as table tennis, gymnastics... have also developed strongly thanks to long-term training and regular competition in China.

While still competing, Phan Quoc Vinh won many prestigious titles such as: World Sanshou runner-up 2001, ASIAD runner-up 2006, Asian champion 2004, champion of 3 SEA Games... Because he had spent his entire competitive career with long-term training trips and participated in many tournaments in China, when he became a manager, Phan Quoc Vinh understood even more the need to create more tournaments for Vietnamese wushu, especially in Hanoi.

In recent years, despite being the leading force of Vietnamese wushu, Hanoi athletes only practice with each other all year round. In the past, Hanoi athletes in general and wushu athletes in particular had long-term training trips abroad to compete with many experts, but now this has become much less common due to administrative mechanisms. In the country, having 2-3 tournaments in the national competition system is not enough to raise the level and meet the needs of athletes. However, the budget of the Vietnam Sports and Physical Training Department is also limited, only organizing the most necessary tournaments in the national competition system. Meanwhile, in Hanoi, in the grassroots sector, having an annual summer wushu tournament for students is not enough to raise the level of the movement. And of course, the lack of a large-scale tournament does not create enough momentum to push Hanoi wushu to a new level.

Therefore, Head of Department Phan Quoc Vinh has always been concerned about creating a "Hanoi Open" playground not only for Hanoi athletes but also athletes from other provinces, cities, and industries - those who are also lacking a playground to improve their skills and satisfy their passion. Even further, it is possible to invite international athletes to compete in the tournament, upgrading it to a professional tournament...

Expectations from the first time

The pain of the famous former Vietnamese Sanshou martial artist was once revealed to the Director of the Hanoi Sports Training and Competition Center (now the Hanoi Sports Training and Competition Center) Dao Quoc Thang. Mr. Dao Quoc Thang himself also said that he knew Phan Quoc Vinh's thoughts and wishes, understood the professional meaning and profound ideas in them, but sometimes had to wait for the right time to realize them.

Later, when he was appointed as Head of the Sports Management Department (Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports), Mr. Dao Quoc Thang still remembered Phan Quoc Vinh's wishes. He also understood that, for sports that do not have conditions for extensive socialization but are still the locomotives of high-performance sports, there must still be resources from the State. Therefore, the first Hanoi Wushu Open was included in the Hanoi sports tournament system in 2025.

Of course, when the tournament was included in the 2025 competition program of Hanoi Sports, many local sports have completed the budget planning stage. However, up to now, there have been 15 delegations with 180 athletes registered to participate in the movement and advanced categories of the combat content. Notably, most of the athletes of the delegations participated with socialized funding. That is enough to show the need to compete of high-performance wushu athletes nationwide and those who practice this sport. At the tournament, a number of sponsors also joined hands by awarding prizes to the entire delegation in the movement and advanced categories.

And initially, that has shown that a correct orientation will create positive effects. Once the writer went to the Wushu King Club in Bac Hong (Dong Anh), the young athletes there were all eager to participate in the upcoming Hanoi Open Wushu Tournament at the Dong Anh Gymnasium, the most beautiful and spacious in Hanoi. Some Sanshou martial artists who had stopped competing until they learned about the Hanoi Open Tournament also registered to participate. They were happy that the sport they pursued had its own playground. That way, they would not have to compete in playgrounds for other sports. Meanwhile, the head of the Wushu Department (Vietnam Sports and Physical Training Department) Vu Van Trung also shared that the effort to organize the tournament alone showed the leading role of Hanoi Wushu in shouldering the responsibility of developing Vietnamese Wushu with the central state management agency.

The story of a wushu tournament about to appear in Hanoi is just a small dot in the flow of competitions that are swirling in the Vietnamese sports village. But behind that is the passion and effort to renew and elevate the sport of those in charge. In which, we must mention the role of orientation, creating a real playground of the sports management unit with a long-term vision. And this will of course not only be reflected in one sport but must be reflected in many other sports.

National standard competition conditions

Although it is a local tournament, the organization and facilities for the Hanoi Open Wushu Tournament will be held to national standards. According to the tournament organizers, the tournament organization will meet the highest requirements at the national level, thereby creating attraction and momentum for the following seasons. (Minh Khue)

Source: https://cand.com.vn/the-thao/them-san-choi-them-hy-vong-cho-wushu-i769092/