Thuy Linh: The Asian Games arena is very harsh, it is not easy to win a medal

When the shuttlecock falls to the court, the sound of the racket hitting the shuttle echoes like a heartbeat. In the silence between two points, I see Thuy Linh standing there, her eyes never leaving the net. She is not just a badminton player; she is a warrior facing the harshest challenges of Asian sports. The interview by Dan Tri with Nguyen Thuy Linh is not just a conversation, but a declaration of perseverance, of barriers, and of the dream to win a medal at the 20th Asian Games in Japan. The context of this interview lies in the preparation cycle for the 20th Asian Games, held in Aichi–Nagoya, Japan. Thuy Linh, Vietnam's number one female badminton player, has participated in three consecutive Asian Games and two Olympic appearances. With that extensive experience, she understands better than anyone that the Asian Games arena is not just a place to compete, but a place to survive. She shares: "The Asian Games arena is very harsh, it is not easy to win a medal." This statement is not a complaint, but a truth that anyone following Asian sports must acknowledge. But behind that statement is a larger picture of Vietnamese sports. Thuy Linh does not just represent herself; she represents a whole generation of Vietnamese athletes facing financial difficulties, lack of facilities, and inadequate support from sports organizations. In the interview, she candidly talks about shortcomings in preparation, the lack of foreign coaches, and the financial pressures she and her teammates face daily. From the perspective of someone who has followed Vietnamese sports for ten years, I see that what Thuy Linh says is not just a complaint, but a warning signal for the entire sports industry. When a talented athlete like her has to say "it is not easy to win a medal," it reflects not only the difficulty of the tournament but also the gaps in the training and support system for athletes. This is not just a badminton issue, but an issue for the entire Vietnamese sports industry. In the tactical analysis section, I notice that the source does not provide specific technical data about Thuy Linh's playing style. However, from what she shares, I can see that the problem lies not in individual technique, but in the development environment. Thuy Linh has competed in the Asian Games three times, but each time she faces opponents from countries with developed badminton programs like China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand. These countries have systematic training, good coaches, and abundant financial resources. Vietnam, with its financial limitations and infrastructure constraints, finds it hard to compete at the highest level. This leads me to a counter-intuitive perspective: Thuy Linh does not fail because of lack of skill, but because of lack of support. In sports, we often focus on individual talent, but forget that talent needs nurturing. When an athlete has to take care of her own life, find her own resources for training, and face financial pressures alone, that talent gets eroded. Thuy Linh has overcome those difficulties, but she also pays the price with fatigue and physical limitations. But I do not want this article to be just a complaint. I want to look at what Thuy Linh has achieved and what she can achieve in the future. She has had three consecutive Asian Games and two Olympic appearances, and she is still pursuing her dream. That shows extraordinary mental strength. In sports, sometimes winning is not just about getting a medal, but about overcoming oneself, not giving up when things get tough. I recall a memory from 2026, when I was still a student and participated in the commentary team for the Russia World Cup. In the Japan–Belgium match, I noted the time from Courtois's save to Chadli's decisive goal as 14 seconds with only 3 passes. That taught me that in sports, the smallest details can decide the whole match. And that is also true in badminton. Thuy Linh, with her experience, certainly understands this. She knows that to win a medal at the Asian Games, she needs not only good technique but also perfect preparation in physical fitness, psychology, and tactics. But that preparation cannot be done by herself alone. It needs support from the federation, from the state, from sponsors. When Thuy Linh talks about the lack of foreign coaches, she is pointing out a systemic issue. While other countries invest heavily in hiring good experts, Vietnam is still hesitant. This is not anyone's fault, but it directly affects athletes' performance. I once witnessed a training session of the Vietnamese badminton team, and I saw that the athletes are very hardworking, very passionate, but they lack modern equipment and advanced training methods. They train with enthusiasm, but enthusiasm cannot replace science. When the stadium is empty, I hear how the coach shouts with his eyes. And I see that in Thuy Linh's eyes, there is an unshakable determination. But that determination needs nurturing. In the interview, Thuy Linh talks about the financial difficulties she faces. This reminds me of a quote I deeply admire: "Barriers are not to stop you, they are to test how you overcome the fall." Thuy Linh has overcome many falls in her career, and she still stands up. That is admirable. However, I must also be honest that winning a medal at the Asian Games is a very difficult goal. In history, Vietnam has never won a badminton medal at the Asian Games. That shows the fierce competitiveness of the tournament. But that does not mean we cannot do it. It means we need to change our approach, invest more, and trust our athletes. Thuy Linh is not just an athlete; she is a symbol of perseverance. She has competed at the Asian Games three times, and each time she learns something new. The first time, she learned the harshness of the tournament. The second time, she learned how to face pressure. The third time, she learned how to overcome her own limits. And the fourth time, at the 20th Asian Games, she might learn how to win. But to win, she needs support from everyone. From the federation, from the state, from sponsors, and from fans. When we stand behind an athlete, we create an immeasurable power. Thuy Linh has said that it is not easy to win a medal, but she is still trying. That shows she does not give up. And we should not give up either. In the conclusion of this article, I want to talk about something I always cherish: "Fans' passion is not in the goal, but in the silence before the goal." That silence is anticipation, hope, and belief. Thuy Linh is in that silence, preparing for the biggest moments of her career. And we, the fans, need to stand behind her, not only in moments of victory but also in difficult moments. Sports is not just about medals. It is about the values we learn from pursuing dreams. Thuy Linh has taught us that no matter how hard it is, we can still stand up. No matter how high the barriers are, we can still overcome them. And no matter how harsh the Asian Games arena is, we can still hope. But hope needs to be nurtured with action. We need to invest in sports, create conditions for athletes, and build a systematic training program. Only then can big dreams like Thuy Linh's become reality. And when that happens, we will not just have one Thuy Linh, but many Thuy Linhs, who will bring glory to the country. In all of this, Thuy Linh has shown us that despite difficulties, she does not give up. And that is the most important thing. Because in sports, as in life, sometimes winning is not about getting a medal, but about never giving up. Thuy Linh has not given up. And we should not give up either. With all that, I believe that no matter the result at the 20th Asian Games, Thuy Linh will still be a winner. Because she has won the biggest battle: the battle with herself. And that is a victory that no medal can measure.