From Bangkok: A challenging but worthwhile gold rush.

As Vietnamese sports made breakthroughs, pursuing the dream of reaching new heights and seeking extraordinary achievements in world arenas, the SEA Games were suddenly downgraded to the level of a "village pond".

However, strangely enough, the SEA Games are never forgotten. The impression Vietnamese people have of this first major sporting event that Vietnam participated in after its integration into the global community is so strong that everyone knows about it, anticipates it, and talks about it.

Frankly, the Southeast Asian Games are still very important. It's a stepping stone to take before thinking about the Asian Games, the Olympics, or other world championships. It's a platform for exchange, learning, and skill improvement, and also an opportunity for athletes in lesser-known sports to showcase themselves.

It's also worth noting that the SEA Games can help athletes change their fortunes, as not all sports provide a sufficient income to live on. Many have confessed that they hope to help their families, build a house, or have enough money to get married after the SEA Games, thanks to the medals they've won.

Therefore, most athletes consider competing in the SEA Games a dream, training tirelessly day and night, constantly striving to improve themselves before stepping onto the stage, giving their all to win a medal.

On the taekwondo mat during the first official competition day, everyone witnessed it. The members of the Vietnamese taekwondo team did everything, giving their all for the moment when the Vietnamese flag was raised to the stirring strains of the national anthem.

You have to be at Island Hall (Bangkok), the taekwondo competition venue, to fully appreciate the Vietnamese athletes' burning desire to win. It's a real battle, a fight for everyone, not just one individual.

Whenever pairs or teams of five stepped onto the stage, the rest, including members of the delegation, gathered in the stands and roared with cheers, igniting the performances. The roar they created made it impossible for anyone to sit still. Even other sports delegations, such as those from the Philippines and Timor Leste, jumped up and chanted "Vietnam!"

But as everyone knows, the journey to win gold at the SEA Games is incredibly difficult, seemingly easy but actually very hard. At the moment their performance ended, the pair Nguyen Thi Kim Ha and Nguyen Trong Phuc thought they had won the standard mixed doubles kata event and embraced each other in happiness. But it turned out they hadn't. They were pushed into the losing side.

Having covered the SEA Games many times, my emotions remain fresh because each time is a new experience, with new levels of intensity. Sometimes athletes think they've defeated their opponents and surpassed themselves, but the referee prevents them from stepping onto the highest podium.

Many tears were shed, and even reporters like me felt a lump in our throats. But what could we do? It was a unique game, and that very fact became the motivation for our warriors to hold hands tightly, fight hard, and reclaim what belonged to them.

Video : Thanh Hai

The most admirable quality in the spirit of all the athletes participating in the SEA Games is their unwavering determination. Difficulties and adversities only make them more resolute, igniting their strength and desire to win.

At the end of the day, the mixed doubles poomsae (forms) team delivered an explosive performance at Island Hall (Bangkok) and deservedly claimed the championship. Looking back, the tears, anger, and solidarity all made the medal incredibly sweet. And my friends and I shared in their joy, realizing that every hunting trip is truly worthwhile.

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