Nguyen Thuy Linh: 'Asian Games Arena is Very Harsh, Not Easy to Win Medals'

Nguyen Thuy Linh, Vietnam's current top badminton player, recently shared candid insights about her journey to pursue a gold medal at the 20th Asian Games (Asiad 20) to be held in Japan. With approaching her third Asian Games appearance, she stated that this arena presents much greater difficulty than previous editions. According to Dân trí, Thuy Linh has participated in two Olympic Games (Paris 2026 and Atlanta 2028). This demonstrates her breakthrough achievements on the international stage over the years. However, at the Asian Games, the pressure carries an entirely different character. "The Asian Games arena is very harsh, it is not easy to win medals," Thuy Linh shared in the interview. "Compared to the Olympics, the competition intensity here is even more fierce because there are too many top Asian players competing." Asian Games Expectations from a Golden Generation Thuy Linh is no stranger to Vietnamese badminton fans. She competed at the Paris 2026 Olympic Games, becoming one of the first Vietnamese badminton players to achieve this milestone in history. This accomplishment reflects her remarkable progress through years of international competition. However, Thuy Linh herself acknowledged that the path to an Asian Games medal remains very long. This reflects the general situation of Vietnamese badminton compared to regional powerhouses like China, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia. The year 2026 was considered an unsuccessful year for Thuy Linh in international competitions. She did not achieve expected results at many major tournaments, which added psychological pressure before the upcoming Asiad 2026. Training Environment and Institutional Challenges One issue mentioned in the interview was the training environment of the Vietnamese national badminton team. According to Thuy Linh's sharing, the national team still faces many difficulties regarding facilities, financial resources, and particularly the lack of high-quality foreign coaches. "We are trying our best to prepare for the Asian Games, but the reality shows that Vietnam still does not have the best conditions like other countries in the region," Thuy Linh stated. "The lack of foreign coaches is a major disadvantage when compared to Thailand or Indonesia." This indicates that the development gap between Vietnamese badminton and leading Asian badminton nations remains significant. While countries like China, Japan, and Chinese Taipei have systematic training programs with professional coaching staff, Vietnam is still in the process of building its foundation. Determination to Surpass Herself Despite many difficulties, Thuy Linh remains steadfast in her determination. She stated that she has learned lessons from the failures of 2026 and is working to improve weak points in her game. "I understand that to win a medal at the Asian Games, I need to improve even more. Not only in technical skills but also in physical fitness and competitive mentality," she shared. Thuy Linh also emphasized the importance of participating in many international tournaments to gain experience. The lack of opportunities to compete against world-class players is one of the biggest limitations for Vietnamese athletes. Journey Through Three Asian Games Editions Since her first Asian Games appearance to now, Thuy Linh has made significant progress. However, she admitted that each Asian Games edition brings new and greater challenges. "Every Asian Games, opponents get younger and stronger. Meanwhile, the pressure from fan expectations and media also grows larger," Thuy Linh confided. With Asiad 20 about to take place in Japan, Thuy Linh and the Vietnamese national badminton team are in the final preparation phase. Her goal is not only to win a medal for herself but also to inspire the younger generation of Vietnamese badminton players. Message from Vietnam's Top Player In the context of Vietnamese badminton showing certain development strides, Thuy Linh's sharing serves as a realistic reminder of the existing gaps. However, what matters more is her fighting spirit and determination to move forward. "Even though I know the path is very difficult, I will still try my best. Because it is not just my own dream but also that of Vietnamese badminton as a whole," Thuy Linh shared. The 2026 Asian Games is expected to take place in late 2026 in Japan. Thuy Linh and the Vietnamese national badminton team are actively preparing to showcase their best form at this prestigious arena.