Thùy Linh speaks candidly about Asiad 2026: 'The Asian arena is very harsh, it is not easy to win a medal'

Nguyen Thuy Linh recently shared candid thoughts about her goals and the current state of Vietnamese sports at the Asiad 20 arena, where she will compete as an athlete participating in her third consecutive Asian Games. In an interview with Dan Tri, Vietnam's top badminton player acknowledged that the path to a medal at the continental-level tournament has never been easy for Vietnamese sports in general and badminton in particular. "The Asiad arena is very harsh. Opponents from China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan all have systematic training programs, abundant financial resources, and world-class coaches. For Vietnam, competing at the top of Asia is a very big challenge," Thuy Linh shared. The fact that many Vietnamese badminton fans may not know is that while neighboring countries invest heavily in sports, Vietnam's national badminton team continues to struggle with fundamental limitations in infrastructure and professional human resources. According to sports professionals, one of the biggest weaknesses of current Vietnamese badminton is the lack of high-quality foreign coaches. While leading Asian teams all have foreign experts accompanying them, Vietnam largely relies on domestic coaching staff with limited resources. The year 2026 was evaluated as an unsuccessful year for Vietnamese badminton on the international stage. Results from major tournaments showed that the gap between Vietnam and Asian badminton powerhouses remains very large. No significant achievements were recorded at any major tournament, raising many questions about the strategic direction for this sport. However, notably, Thuy Linh has maintained an optimistic spirit and determination. With two Olympic appearances (Tokyo 2026 and Paris 2026), she has become the most accomplished international badminton player in Vietnamese history. "I know where the difficulties lie. But every time I compete internationally, I learn more. Strong opponents help me understand better what needs improvement," she said. With Asiad 20 held in Japan, Thuy Linh aims to give her best rather than set overly high expectations for medals. This is her third consecutive time representing Vietnam at the Asian arena, and experience from the previous two editions will be valuable assets. In reality, Vietnamese badminton's performance at the Asian Games has never been among the medal-contending groups. Countries like China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Taiwan always dominate the medal standings in this sport. If Vietnam can advance past the first round in women's singles, it would be a commendable achievement. One of the biggest challenges is the limited financial resources allocated to Vietnamese sports in general. Compared to countries that invest heavily in sports, the budget for Vietnamese badminton accounts for only a small proportion. This directly affects the ability to attract good coaches, upgrade facilities, and organize international training tournaments. Experts suggest that for Vietnamese badminton to improve, coordinated changes are needed in investment mechanisms, personnel policies, and youth training strategies. Inviting foreign coaches could be a correct step, but it requires financial resources that cannot currently be fully met. Returning to Thuy Linh, despite acknowledging difficulties, she remains persistent on her path. With experience from two Olympic Games and two previous Asian Games, she clearly understands what is needed to compete at the highest level. "I'm not saying medals are impossible. But we need to acknowledge the reality that we are in a foundation-building phase. Step by step, tournament by tournament, to create real change," Thuy Linh emphasized. Asiad 20 will be the next challenge for this 26-year-old player. With her fighting spirit and determination to improve, she continues to carry the hopes of Vietnamese badminton on the Asian arena. Whatever the outcome, her efforts deserve recognition and appreciation. Additionally, Thuy Linh's story reflects the general situation of Vietnamese sports: limited resources but unlimited willpower. This is a long journey ahead, requiring support from administrators, businesses, and the community to create a real turning point for the nation's sports.