Nguyen Thuy Linh and the challenge of overcoming difficulties at international badminton tournaments: When passion alone is not enough to create surprises

I still remember that moment in 2026, when I mistakenly introduced the hometown of Lalu Muhammad Zohri, a young Indonesian 100m runner. The 17-year-old didn't get angry; he just smiled, took the microphone, and corrected me in front of thousands of spectators. That moment taught me a lesson I carry throughout my career: people are always more interesting than numbers, and the story behind each athlete is what truly creates appeal. Today, looking at the journey of Nguyen Thuy Linh, Vietnam's number one female badminton player, I remember that lesson again. Born in 2026 in Lam Dong, Thuy Linh started playing badminton at age 8. She didn't come from a sports family, nor did she have the best training conditions. But that very lack created a resilient person, a hard-working playing style, and a spirit that never gives up. At 27, she stands at the most important crossroads of her career: competing for a spot at the Paris 2026 Olympics and asserting her position on the international stage. The current context of Vietnamese women's badminton is not easy. While countries like Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, and Indonesia have systematic training programs, abundant resources, and experienced coaching staff, Vietnam is still in the building phase. Thuy Linh almost has to overcome every barrier alone: from training funds, travel costs for international tournaments, to finding quality sparring partners. She once shared that there were times she had to cover all expenses for overseas tournaments herself, find sponsors on her own, and plan her own training schedule. Looking at the current world rankings, Thuy Linh stands at around position 20-25, a respectable ranking given the limited training conditions. But that number doesn't reflect all the difficulties she faces. Every match against top world players like Akane Yamaguchi, An Se-young, or Chen Yufei is an unequal battle in terms of physicality and technique, but very equal in terms of spirit and willpower. What impresses me most about Thuy Linh is her ability to adapt under pressure. In her match at the Indonesia Masters last June, she pushed world number one An Se-young to save 3 match points before losing with a narrow score. Matches like that not only show her level but also demonstrate something more important: she has the ability to stand firm on big courts, facing opponents who are superior in every aspect. But the biggest question now is: can Thuy Linh alone carry the expectations of all Vietnamese badminton? The answer, in my view, is no. And that is the issue we need to address honestly. Mbappe once said that football is a team sport, but badminton is an individual sport. However, that doesn't mean a single athlete can create miracles alone. Behind every top world player is an entire system: coaching staff, physical trainers, nutritionists, data analysts, and most importantly, a long-term plan. Japan took more than two decades to build a golden generation like Momota, Yamaguchi, or currently young players like Naraoka and Ohori. South Korea too, they continuously invest in youth training systems, creating a continuous talent production process. What does Vietnam currently have? We have a talented female player in Thuy Linh, a rising male player in Le Duc Phat, and a few other promising young faces. But we lack a systematic training program, high-quality domestic tournaments, internationally standard facilities, and most importantly, a long-term development strategy. I once had the opportunity to work with many Indonesian athletes, and I noticed something: they are not physically or technically better than Vietnamese athletes, but they have a better support system. From organizing regular domestic tournaments to creating conditions for young players to compete internationally early, Indonesia has built a solid foundation that Vietnam doesn't yet have. Returning to Thuy Linh, she faces a paradox: the better she performs, the higher the expectations, but the resources to maintain her form don't increase correspondingly. Every trip to Europe or Asia is expensive, and she can't always afford to attend all important tournaments. This directly affects her accumulated points, and therefore her ranking. From a tactical perspective, Thuy Linh has a playing style based on patience and good movement. She doesn't have the strongest smash, but she compensates with intelligent game reading and consistency in long rallies. However, on the international stage, these qualities only help her compete with mid-tier opponents. When facing top players, she often lacks a decisive weapon to finish points. That's a reality we need to accept. But that doesn't mean we can't improve. If there's a personalized training plan focused on developing her strengths and addressing her specific weaknesses, Thuy Linh can certainly elevate her game to a new level. The Vietnamese badminton market is also showing positive signals. Interest from young people in this sport is increasing, and badminton clubs are growing in major cities. Sports equipment brands are also starting to pay attention to the Vietnamese market. But these signals are still fragmented, not yet forming a complete ecosystem. I still remember the story of the empty microphone during the pandemic, when I had to do a podcast from my bedroom because no stadium was open. I interviewed 25 athletes via video call, and one of them was a young Persija Jakarta player who had to train on the stairs of a 10-story apartment building. That story taught me: the loudest sound doesn't come from speakers, but from the persistence and passion of people. Thuy Linh is the same. She doesn't have the best conditions, but she has a burning passion and an iron will. And that's what makes her a symbol, not just for Vietnamese badminton but for all those pursuing dreams in imperfect conditions. But passion alone is not enough. And that's what I want to emphasize in this article. If we truly want to see Vietnamese badminton reach the world stage, we need a comprehensive strategy, long-term investment, and a change in mindset. In the short term, Thuy Linh remains the number one hope for Vietnamese badminton at international tournaments. She has the ability to create surprises against stronger opponents, as she has done in many tournaments. But to maintain that form, she needs better support from the Vietnam Badminton Federation, from sponsors, and from the fan community itself. The question is: are we willing to invest for the future, or do we just want to enjoy immediate success? Because if we rely on just one individual, no matter how talented, we will never be able to build a strong badminton foundation. Thuy Linh's journey is not just her own story, but also the story of a whole generation of Vietnamese athletes striving to rise under difficult conditions. And that story deserves to be heard, not just for the victories, but for the lessons in perseverance, aspiration, and the spirit of never giving up. When I look back at the path Thuy Linh has traveled, from a little girl playing badminton in Lam Dong to the number one position in Vietnam and top 20 in the world, I realize that: numbers are only part of the story. The rest, and perhaps the most important part, is the story of a person who overcame all limits to pursue her passion. And that's why I believe that, regardless of the outcome, Thuy Linh has been and continues to inspire many young Vietnamese people. She proves that even when everything is against you, you can still move forward if you have enough passion and determination. But I also hope that her story won't just stop at inspiration. I hope it will be a catalyst for bigger change, a more serious investment in Vietnamese sports in general and badminton in particular. Because, as I said, passion alone is not enough. We need an entire system to support those passions turning into reality. I will closely follow Thuy Linh's journey in the coming time, especially at important tournaments this year. And I believe that, whatever the results, she will continue to be a great source of inspiration for Vietnamese sports. Because, as I've learned from my years in the industry: the greatest stories don't come from victories, but from people who never give up.