Blind athletes shine at the National Dance Sports Championship

On October 22, the 2025 National Blind Dance Sports Tournament took place at Diamond Place Convention Center (HCMC).

Delegations participating in the 2025 National Blind Dance Sports Competition - Photo: NH

Overcoming barriers, blind athletes brought to the tournament passionate dances, affirmed extraordinary willpower and spread heart-touching stories.

Spreading energy

The 2025 National Blind Dance Sports Tournament brings together nearly 80 athletes from 10 provinces and cities. The tournament is organized by the Vietnam Paralympic Committee in collaboration with the Vietnam Gymnastics Federation, the Ho Chi Minh City Blind Association and the SOLAR Dance Club, with the theme "Dance of Love and Light".

This year, the tournament also has special significance as it is associated with the country's important anniversaries: 80 years of National Day, 50 years of Reunification Day and 30 years of the establishment of the Vietnam Paralympic Committee.

Mr. Tran Duc Tho - General Secretary of the Vietnam Paralympic Committee, Head of the Organizing Committee spoke - Photo: NH

Sharing at the event, Mr. Tran Duc Tho - General Secretary of the Vietnam Paralympic Committee, Head of the Organizing Committee - emphasized: "The stories of overcoming difficulties and the journeys of self-affirmation of visually impaired sports dance athletes have contributed to changing society's perspective on people with disabilities. From sympathy to respect, from skepticism to admiration".

When music is the guiding eye

Amidst that exciting atmosphere, Tuoi Tre Online had the opportunity to talk with athlete Dieu Ngoc Lan (37 years old) from the Ho Chi Minh City delegation. This was the first time she participated in a tournament on a national scale.

She shared with a bright smile: "My emotions right now are very mixed, both nervous and worried, but the first and strongest feeling is joy. It is this joy that gives me the spirit to overcome all barriers."

Ms. Lan, a massage therapist, has only been involved with dancesport since March 2025. Her love for music and dance has inspired her to pursue this subject. "Every time I hear my favorite songs, I feel like dancing. I go to classes without anyone asking me to, because it is my passion," she confided.

This is the ultimate playground for the visually impaired to demonstrate their sports dance skills - Photo: NH

The journey of a blind athlete is not easy. Ms. Lan said the biggest difficulty is moving, especially when it rains. Collisions with dance partners during practice are inevitable, but she considers them happy memories.

Losing her eyesight at the age of 5 after a serious illness, Lan used music as her guiding eyes, feeling each dance step with all her heart.

"The main thing is joy, but through this, I want to spread this sport to more visually impaired people. I believe that if we can do it, others can do it too," she said.

Her bigger dream is that one day, Vietnamese blind dance sports can reach the international arena.

One thing that she always feels lucky about is that, after the stage and tiring practice hours, she always has her family as support, with her husband and 10-year-old son always supporting her passion.

The 2025 National Blind Dance Sports Competition has the theme: "Dance of love and light". The award includes 55 sets of medals (gold, silver, bronze) for the following categories: Ensemble, Latin, Standard and Movement, with a total value of nearly 100 million VND.

THANH DINH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/vdv-khiem-thi-toa-sang-o-giai-khieu-vu-the-thao-toan-quoc-20251022152308798.htm