Hanoi (VNA) – Nguyên Thùy Linh became the first Vietnamese badass player to win two games at the Olympics. All badminton hopes in the country for the 31it is Southeast Asian games (SEA Games 31) are based on it.
Being a member of the national badminton team at the age of 18, overtaking the No. 1 player in Vietnam at the age of 21 and winning two impressive victories in her first participation in the Olympic Games (Olympics), such are already the great achievements of Nguyên Thùy Linh’s young professional career.
If success came quickly, it required great work and concentration from Linh as well as extreme dedication.
Impressive route to the Tokyo Olympics
Thùy Linh’s career at the Tokyo Olympics is a bearer of hope for young Vietnamese badists. Drawn in a difficult group, with three opponents ranked higher than her, including Taiwanese and world first Tai Tzu-ying, Thùy Linh was not impressed, however, and won two matches.
“After the draw, people said it was a shame that I was in the same group as Tai Tzu-ying. But in fact, each group had great players. So, regardless of the group, I would have had to face strong opposition “, she analyzes.
“I spent almost two years training hard in Vietnam with Tokyo in mind. I am happy to have been able to show my level and my progress at the long awaited time.”, shares Thùy Linh, who was only the third Vietnamese player to participate in the Olympics.
“I also kept a positive spirit, with the desire to do my best and never give up, no matter what the conditions of the match”, she says.
Indeed, the world N ° 49 delivered good performances during the Olympic tournament, succeeding in beating the French of Chinese origin Qi Xuefei and the Swiss Sabrina Jaquet. She also gave Tai Tzu-ying a cold sweat.
“So far, the match against Tai Tzu-ying has been my favorite because I played against my idol. The Olympics and my idol at the same time, it was a double happiness for me! that she could retire next year, so that might be my only chance to ever play against her. “, confie Thuy Linh.
For Linh, Tai Tzu-ying was one of his major sources of inspiration and the young Vietnamese badiste wanted to show him her best level. “I was not worried but I was excited, explains Thùy Linh. I wanted to have a competitive match and show my abilities. Of course, she did not know all my emotions. She is an incredible sportswoman, but she had to play hard to take points from me “.
Higher and higher goals
Regarding his future goals, Thùy Linh does not hide his ambition to climb on the podium of SEA Games 31 which will be contested in May 2022 in Vietnam, as well as to return with a medal around the neck of the next World Championships.
“After the Olympics, my confidence and my competitiveness improved. I think I can perform well in other international tournaments”, she insists.
For her, winning gold at the SEA Games would not only be a remarkable achievement but also keeping a promise she made to her late grandfather, a man who always encouraged her to pursue her dreams.
“Badminton has grown strongly in Asia, especially South East Asia. This region is home to some of the best players in the world, which makes the SEA Games a really tough competition, and winning a medal won’t be easy.”, valued Thuy Linh.
After the Tokyo Olympics, she started a new campaign with a higher volume of exercises and higher difficulty levels to improve her physical condition, speed and endurance.
“Being No. 1 in Vietnam is not my end goal. Like many others, I always strive for better results. I hope to have my name on the world map of Vietnam. badminton. And also, I wish to be the first athlete to win a gold medal for Vietnam at the SEA Games “, she explains.
A place in the World Top 30 and a place in the Top 3 of the next SEA Games are his top priorities. By gaining confidence and technique, she can claim the best places at the next Olympic Games to be held in Paris in 2024.
“The odds are on my side, although I will certainly face many strong rivals like Tai Tzu-ying on the way to success. I will work harder and harder to get as far as possible”, she says, with stars in her eyes.-CVN / VNA
.
