 |
| Van Suu (right), among the athletes expected to spring a surprise at the 33rd SEA Games. Photo: Minh Tuan |
Unexpected surge in athletes
Hue sports had initially targeted 3 to 5 athletes and 1 to 2 gold medals at the 33rd SEA Games. But thanks to several unexpected factors, the province is now expected to have as many as 6 or 7 athletes competing at this year’s Games.
In women’s freestyle wrestling, at the time of registration, Hue Sports anticipated that, at best, two athletes would qualify for Vietnam’s national wrestling team for the 33rd SEA Games. But with her brilliant form—crowned by a silver medal at the 2025 Asian Junior Wrestling Championships, the first in Vietnam’s women’s wrestling history—My Linh has become the third athlete, joining her sisters My Hanh and My Trang in competing at the same SEA Games.
Although making her SEA Games debut, My Linh has shown maturity beyond expectations, with experience in both regional and continental competitions that defies initial doubts. Apart from the 2025 Asian Junior Wrestling Championships, My Linh has represented Vietnam multiple times at Southeast Asian championships, earning commendable results.
With their experience, solid form, and consistent performances in recent times, it comes as no surprise that three athletes — Van Suu, Minh Thuan, and Thanh Nhi — will represent Hue in jujitsu, karate-do, and archery at the 33rd SEA Games.
But that’s only the basic count. On the sidelines, the number could rise to four, as Hue’s jujitsu still has several “hidden cards” currently training with the national team — athletes highly rated by coaches and experts, who may well secure one more slot for Hue at the 33rd SEA Games.
Towards a successful SEA Games
Among jujitsu, karate-do, and archery, we can look forward to the return of Minh Thuan and, more broadly, Hue’s karate-do team. There are also high hopes for jujitsu, with Van Suu capable of springing surprises given his fine form (not to mention coach Chu Minh Tuan’s “hidden ace”) and the sport’s impressive progress at national, regional, and continental levels. In archery, however, Thanh Nhi’s supporters believe she still needs to overcome a few lingering hurdles.
Unable to meet the requirements for facilities and athlete numbers, host nation Cambodia excluded several Olympic sports, including archery, from the competition program of the 32nd SEA Games. As a result, despite being in stable form, Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhi, the key archer for both Hue and Vietnam, had no chance to compete, which partly affected her performance and morale.
That, however, doesn’t mean Thanh Nhi’s rivals at the 33rd SEA Games can afford to be complacent. With her proven ability over a long period across various competitions, there remains a strong belief that she will contribute to Vietnam’s overall success at the region’s biggest sporting event.
In wrestling, age has led some to predict that this SEA Games might be My Hanh’s last. Along with that comes concern that she may struggle against the youthful strength of opponents from other countries. Yet, with her wealth of experience — a three-time consecutive SEA Games champion — and the mindset of entering her “final battle,” My Hanh may have to fight harder this time, but the 62kg gold remains well within her reach.
Meanwhile, after two successive SEA Games championships, My Trang now faces the chance to equal My Hanh’s achievements. Thanks to her consistent form and a playing style that combines solid defense with quick and precise counterattacks, she stands a good chance of taking the 57kg gold for the third time in a row.
Beyond being recognized as a well-rounded female wrestler with strength and agile reflexes, My Linh also earns high praise for her mental toughness and rapid recovery ability. During her competitive years, 2022 may well have been a year to forget, as her sudden drop in performances sparked concern among fans and experts alike. Yet, in a short time, My Linh bounced back to top form, as evidenced by her silver medal at the 2025 Asian Junior Wrestling Championships. Given her peak form, My Linh’s claim to the 53kg gold at the 33rd SEA Games is well within reach.