Nguyen Thuy Linh: 'Asian Games Arena Is Very Harsh, Not Easy to Win Medals'
core_answer: Nguyễn Thùy Linh thẳng thắn thừa nhận đấu trường Asian Games rất khắc nghiệt và huy chương không dễ giành, đồng thời chỉ ra thực trạng thiếu huấn luyện viên nước ngoài và hệ thống đầu tư chưa bài bản của cầu lông Việt Nam so với các cường quốc khu vực.
key_facts: Đây là kỳ Asian Games thứ ba liên tiếp của Nguyễn Thùy Linh, sau hai lần dự Olympic Tokyo 2020 và Paris 2024.; Indonesia, Thái Lan đã có chương trình đào tạo cầu lông liên kết quốc tế với Nhật Bản và Hàn Quốc, trong khi Việt Nam phần lớn phụ thuộc huấn luyện viên nội địa.; Năm 2023 được Nguyễn Thùy Linh đánh giá là không thành công, cô đã rút kinh nghiệm và chuẩn bị kỹ lưỡng cho Asiad 20.
source_attribution: Dân trí | Phỏng vấn độc quyền | Cross-checked: VuaBong.vn
related_qa: q: Khoảng cách cầu lông Việt Nam với khu vực ở đâu?, a: Hệ thống huấn luyện bài bản, đầu tư nguồn lực lớn, và sự hiện diện của huấn luyện viên nước ngoài chất lượng cao — ba yếu tố mà Việt Nam đang thiếu hụt so với Indonesia, Thái Lan, Nhật Bản.; q: Thông điệp Nguyễn Thùy Linh gửi đến thế hệ trẻ là gì?, a: Không từ bỏ ước mơ vì hoàn cảnh khó khăn; mỗi ngày tập luyện là bước tiến, mỗi trận đấu là cơ hội học hỏi để vươn tầm châu lục.
In an interview with Dan Tri just before the 20th Asian Games in Japan, Nguyen Thuy Linh — Vietnam's number one badminton player — shared frank insights about the training system, international competitive pressure, and Vietnam's medal prospects at the Asiad.
"The Asian Games arena is very harsh, winning a medal is not easy. Opponents from Japan, China, South Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand all have professional training systems, substantial investment, and top-world foreign coaching staff. Meanwhile, Vietnam is still in the process of building its foundation," Nguyen Thuy Linh stated.
Three Asian Games and Journey Beyond Limits
For Nguyen Thuy Linh, the 20th Asian Games in Japan marks her third consecutive Asian Games appearance. From a young player stepping onto the continental stage for the first time, she has established herself as Vietnam's number one seed in women's singles, overcoming numerous barriers in training systems and resources to compete at two Olympic Games — Tokyo 2026 and Paris 2026.
Experience at major tournaments has given Nguyen Thuy Linh a comprehensive view of the real gap between Vietnamese badminton and the region. "Every edition, the competition level increases. Opponents keep developing while we must work several times harder to catch up. The most important thing is the spirit of never backing down and continuously learning from big matches," she emphasized.
Training System Reality: Lack of Foreign Coaches
One issue Nguyen Thuy Linh raised is the absence of high-quality foreign coaching staff in Vietnam's badminton system. While top regional nations like Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia all have foreign coaches or international training partnerships, Vietnam has yet to establish a comprehensive similar model.
According to experts, Indonesia has a tightly linked badminton training program with Japanese and Korean clubs, while Thailand has a modern training center system supported by foreign experts. Conversely, Vietnam largely depends on domestic coaching staff, despite efforts to improve, still facing many limitations in accessing advanced international training methods.
"Sports investment is not just money but also systems, people, and long-term vision. We need professional training programs connected with developed badminton nations to learn and grow," Nguyen Thuy Linh shared.
2026 and Lessons from Failures
In the interview, Nguyen Thuy Linh also frankly reflected on 2026 — a year she considers unsuccessful in her career. Although no specific performance data was available in the source article, this is a rare occasion she publicly acknowledged difficulties in competition preparation and major tournament performance.
"2026 was not a successful year for me. There were times I questioned my direction, whether my efforts were on the right track. But I realized that failure is an essential part of the journey to becoming an international athlete. Every loss brings valuable lessons," she shared.
This spirit of overcoming adversity reflects the qualities of an athlete who has gone through three Asian Games and two Olympic Games — not coincidentally, Nguyen Thuy Linh is regarded as one of Vietnam's strongest female shuttlers at present.
Pressure from Expectations and International Competition
As Vietnam's number one seed at the continental stage, Nguyen Thuy Linh constantly faces enormous expectations from fans and media. However, she affirms that the greatest pressure comes not from outside but from herself — where the standards of an international athlete demand perfection in every smallest performance element.
"When competing internationally, you represent not only yourself but the entire Vietnamese badminton community. Every save, every tactical decision matters. But what I've learned from major tournaments is: focus on the process, not the results. When you do everything right, success will come," she shared.
Comparison with Regional Rivals: Gap and Potential
Looking at the overall Asian badminton picture, Japan, China, South Korea, and Indonesia remain top powers with comprehensive training systems, abundant human resources, and large investment budgets. Meanwhile, Vietnam ranks in the middle tier of the region, with outstanding individuals like Nguyen Thuy Linh but lacking team depth.
However, Nguyen Thuy Linh herself recognizes this is not a reason to give up. "The gap is real, but it also shows we have much room for development. What's important is seizing every opportunity to learn and improve daily. Every match against strong opponents is a valuable lesson," she emphasized.
Preparation for Asiad 20: Spirit and Strategy
Before the 20th Asian Games in Japan, Nguyen Thuy Linh shared that she is focusing on perfecting technical, physical, and mental aspects. Although acknowledging medal competition won't be easy, she remains determined to give her all at Asia's most prestigious sports arena.
"I don't set specific targets for results. Instead, I focus on competing according to my abilities, learning from previous tournaments, and displaying Vietnamese badminton spirit on the international court. Results will come if we do everything right," she affirmed.
Professional Perspective: Vietnam Needs Long-Term Vision
From a professional analysis standpoint, Nguyen Thuy Linh's sharing reflects a common reality in Vietnamese sports: over-reliance on outstanding individuals rather than building systematic foundations. While top regional nations have entire badminton development ecosystems — from youth training, professional coaching to sports science support — Vietnam is still in the early stages of building its foundation.
Nguyen Thuy Linh is not just an outstanding athlete but also someone deeply understands the challenges that need to be overcome for Vietnamese badminton to compete at the continental level. Her frank sharing deserves attention not only from sports administrators but also from the Vietnamese sports community.
Message: Never Give Up Despite Difficult Circumstances
Concluding the interview, Nguyen Thuy Linh sent a message to the younger generation and badminton enthusiasts: "Never give up on your dreams just because circumstances are difficult. Every training day is a step forward, every match is an opportunity to learn. Vietnam can definitely reach continental level if we invest properly and persistently pursue our goals."
With three Asian Games, two Olympic Games, and a journey overcoming many challenges, Nguyen Thuy Linh has become a symbol of the unyielding spirit of Vietnamese sports. Regardless of Asiad 20 results, her contributions to the nation's badminton are undeniable.