Dang Cong Duc scored 356 points out of a possible 360 to win the gold medal in the 50-meter triple round at the national team archery championships in Huế, breaking the previous national record of 355 points. Out of 36 arrows shot during the late August 2026 competition, 32 struck the 10-ring. That performance followed a breakout international run at the 20th Asian Games in Japan, where the Vietnamese compound archer reached the quarterfinals by defeating former world team champion Choi Yong-hee of South Korea.
Trailing 86–87 in the quarterfinals against Choi, Duc reeled off six consecutive 10-point arrows to secure a 146–143 victory. He ultimately finished fourth in the tournament after a narrow 144–145 defeat in the semifinals and a subsequent loss in the bronze-medal match.
Overcoming Near-Retirement to Reach the National Team
Duc nearly quit the sport entirely before finding his competitive footing. Scouted by coach Đặng Thị Nhàn during a talent identification camp in Cẩm Phả, Duc showed diligence and focus, but his progress lagged behind his peers. Faced with disappointing results in national youth competitions through late 2024, he considered leaving competitive archery behind to focus on university studies.
Nhàn convinced him to persist by revising his training regimen, breaking down technical objectives into smaller steps, and rebuilding his competitive mindset. The adjustments paid off at the end of 2024 with a gold and a bronze medal at the national championships. Duc followed that breakthrough by sweeping six gold medals at the 2025 national championships, earning selection to the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, where he claimed a mixed doubles silver medal and a team bronze.
Equipment Upgrades and International Exposure Fuel Growth
Success at the elite level required more than personal resolve. Within the national squad, Duc trained alongside top-tier athletes, worked with visiting Indian coaching experts, and traveled abroad for high-pressure international competitions. Financial investments also targeted gear reliability. Duc and his coaching staff replaced two specialized bows over a two-year span, each priced at approximately 20 million VND, ensuring equipment consistency in a discipline where a single point dictates the outcome.
Nhàn noted that Duc has largely conquered his past score fluctuations, requiring only simple verbal cues—such as a reminder to slow down and stay calm—to regain his rhythm during high-stakes matches. Reflecting on his journey from a discouraged youth athlete to an Asian Games contender, Duc frequently points to the persistence of top Vietnamese archers and international football star Cristiano Ronaldo as his primary motivations.
Answers to Common Questions
What was Dang Cong Duc’s record-breaking score at the national championships?
At the late August 2026 national team archery championships in Huế, Duc scored 356 points out of 360 in the 50-meter triple round, eclipsing the previous national benchmark of 355 points by landing 32 tens out of 36 arrows.
How did Duc perform against South Korea at the 20th Asian Games?
Facing former world team champion Choi Yong-hee of South Korea in the quarterfinals in Japan, Duc overcame a deficit to shoot six consecutive 10-point arrows, winning the match 146–143 after posting 709 points in the qualification round.
Which international medals did Duc win in 2025?
Following a six-gold performance at the 2025 national championships, Duc competed at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, where he secured a silver medal in the mixed double event and a bronze medal in the team competition.
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