Taekwondo

HÀ NỘI   Once a powerhouse in taekwondo, Hà Nội boasts a rich history of athletes who have competed in the Olympics and secured medals at the Asian Games (ASIAD). However, recent years have seen a decline in the emergence of Olympic-calibre talent within the city.

In response, the city's sport authority is committed to investing in long-term strategies to nurture high-achieving athletes.

Hồ Anh Tuấn, vice president and general secretary of the Hà Nội Taekwondo Federation and head of the Taekwondo Department at the Hà Nội Sports Training and Competition Centre, has highlighted the growth of the sport.

With a network of 97 training centres and 68 affiliated clubs, Hà Nội's taekwondo landscape has expanded significantly, particularly in student sports.

The federation has hosted numerous major tournaments over the past year, including the Hà Nội Open Taekwondo Festival and the Hà Nội Open Age Group Championship, providing invaluable competition experience for emerging martial artists.

Despite this progress, Hà Nội taekwondo faces challenges at the elite level, reflecting a broader trend of stagnation in Vietnamese taekwondo on international stages.

Over its 35-year journey, Hà Nội taekwondo martial artists have consistently ranked among the top contenders at national sports games, with the city contributing approximately 40 per cent of the athletes and coaches to the national team. 

Noteworthy achievements include the participation of Chu Hoàng Diệu Linh in the 2012 London Olympics and medal victories by Đỗ Thị Bích Hạnh, Vũ Anh Tuấn and Bùi Thu Hiền at ASIAD 2006.

Phạm Hữu Việt also earned a silver medal at the 2018 Taekwondo World Championship. However, recent performances at the SEA Games and Asian Games have not met expectations, despite contributions from Hà Nội athletes.

The challenges faced by Vietnamese taekwondo, particularly in Hà Nội, stem from the retirement of many standout athletes from the "golden generation", who later took coaching and managing roles.

The new generation of athletes is still developing and has yet to reach the requisite skill level. Moreover, the competitive landscape in Olympic and ASIAD taekwondo has intensified, with many countries heavily investing in the sport.

Conquering the ASIAD and Olympic arenas remains a formidable goal. However, for those passionate about high-performance sports, the ambition to revive Hà Nội's legacy of Olympic participation and ASIAD success endures.

Đào Quốc Thắng, vice president of the Hà Nội Taekwondo Federation, emphasises the importance of a robust foundation for training and competition.

"To excel on continental and world stages, we must gradually overcome challenges and maintain long-term investment. Key factors include dedicated teachers, committed students and a strong work ethic," he said.

Nguyễn Mạnh Hùng, chairman of the Hà Nội Taekwondo Federation, said that the federation's future focus will be on professionalizing taekwondo activities.

"This includes supporting the establishment and operation of professional clubs, organizing high-level competitions and fostering training facilities that operate on a business model."  VNS