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

Nguyen Thuy Linh has shared frank insights about the current state of Vietnamese badminton ahead of the 20th Asian Games in Japan. With experience from three consecutive Asian Games and two Olympic appearances, she clearly understands the gap between ambition and reality. In an interview with Dan Tri, Vietnam's top badminton player did not hide the difficulties that the national team is facing. 'The Asian Games arena is very harsh,' she said. 'We know that well, but we won't give up hope because of it.' Tactical analysis shows that while Asian badminton is developing at a rapid pace, Vietnam is still struggling to find its direction. The team lacks foreign coaches while competitors competing for medals like Thailand, Indonesia, and Taiwan all possess professional training systems with top expert teams. The year 2026 was assessed by Thuy Linh as an unsuccessful year. She acknowledged shortcomings in training and competition. However, notably, despite difficulties, she maintained her position as Asia's number 15 in women's singles - a testament to the continuous efforts of this 26-year-old athlete. 'I am not saying we cannot do it,' Thuy Linh emphasized. 'But I want people to understand that the road to an Asian Games medal is far from smooth.' This statement reflects the realistic perspective of an athlete who has experienced many failures on her career path. On the part of the Vietnam Badminton Federation, tight finances remain an unresolved issue. While other nations invest billions in developing talents and recruiting foreign experts, the Vietnamese team must make do with a limited budget. This creates a paradox: talented athletes like Thuy Linh are forced to equip themselves with knowledge and tactical skills without adequate professional support. From a tactical analysis perspective, the gap between Vietnam and the Asian top tier is evident through various indicators. Thuy Linh can compete at the direct confrontation level, but when facing players trained through professional systems, she lacks necessary tactical tools. Without foreign coaches, the team cannot access advanced training methods, new tactical trends, and in-depth opponent analysis data. However, the bright spot lies in competitive spirit. Thuy Linh said she and her teammates are still giving their all in every training session. 'We know where we stand and we never stop trying,' she shared. This perseverance, while it cannot completely replace professional training systems, is a factor that makes the difference in competitive mentality. Ahead of the 20th Asian Games, domestic public opinion has high expectations for Vietnamese sports achievements. But Thuy Linh wants to convey a different message: medals are not the only measure of an athlete's worth. 'I want people to see our efforts, not just the results,' she said. In the long term, Thuy Linh's story raises big questions about Vietnam's badminton development direction. Can the tight budget maintain the team at a competitive level? Is the lack of foreign coaches the biggest barrier? Or is it time for a different investment strategy for this sport? These questions remain unanswered. But at least, Thuy Linh has shown a young face that can rise after failure, face the truth directly, and continue fighting. In an arena where medals seem to be everything, her message is a reminder that the road ahead is long, and every step requires both caution and determination. The 20th Asian Games will be the next challenge for Thuy Linh and Vietnamese badminton. With the spirit of 'not easy but never giving up,' the team is preparing for a challenging journey in the land of the rising sun.