The 26-year miracle of Vietnamese table tennis

Victory of courage

The final match was exciting and dramatic. The two Singaporean players created a score gap of 10-4 and only needed 1 more point to end the game, but Mai Ngoc/Anh Hoang suddenly rose up with a series of consecutive points to equalize 10-10 before winning 13-11 to the surprise of both fans and opponents.

Tran Mai Ngoc (left) and Dinh Anh Hoang brought home the gold medal after 26 years for Vietnamese table tennis.

Coach Dinh Quang Linh instructs his students

INDEPENDENCE

Coach Dinh Quang Linh, who coached the two players in the final, said the incredible comeback in the first set boosted the morale of the two Vietnamese players. That was also the reason why they continued to win 11-8 in the second set, leaving both Singapore players and many of their fans in the stadium stunned.

Zhe Yu Chew/Jian Zeng managed to reduce the score to 1-2 and then created a better position than the two Vietnamese players in game 4. That was also the game where Mai Ngoc was called for service errors by the referee three times, forcing coach Dinh Quang Linh to speak up, but the two Vietnamese players still persevered in each shot to win 14-12 and win the precious gold medal for the Vietnamese table tennis team. "I was afraid that Mai Ngoc would be under psychological pressure when the referee called for errors, but she played with great courage, together with Anh Hoang, creating a wonderful achievement," coach Dinh Quang Linh shared. "When the referee called for service errors, I just told myself to let it go, focus on the next shot and we did it with the precious gold medal," Mai Ngoc said.

Thanks to a special teacher

26 years ago, at the 19th SEA Games (1997) in Indonesia, Vu Manh Cuong and Ngo Thu Thuy brought home the first gold medal for Vietnamese table tennis in the mixed doubles event at the SEA Games. At the 32nd SEA Games, Tran Mai Ngoc and Dinh Anh Hoang repeated this achievement. Few people know that former Vietnamese table tennis star Vu Manh Cuong is the coach of Tran Mai Ngoc and Dinh Anh Hoang at the Hanoi Club. In the happiness of winning the gold medal, Mai Ngoc did not forget to thank her teacher. "I thank you for your efforts in training, especially training me in physical strength and tactics to achieve the achievements I have today," Mai Ngoc sent a message to coach Vu Manh Cuong.

Feelings of Tran Mai Ngoc

INDEPENDENCE

Tran Mai Ngoc was born in 2004, from Binh Duong , and was selected and trained by coach Vu Manh Cuong since childhood. Accepting life away from home, Mai Ngoc constantly strives to improve herself, who was considered "thin". At the age of 15, Mai Ngoc attracted attention when she defeated a series of national players to win the runner-up position at the National Championship. By 2021, Mai Ngoc had surpassed "monument" Mai Hoang My Trang in the quarterfinals, then went straight to the championship when she was only 17 years old. Meanwhile, Dinh Anh Hoang has also made constant progress, with the peak being the men's singles championship of the excellent tennis players tournament last year. Sharing the special joy that his two students brought, Coach Vu Manh Cuong said: "I am very happy that my students have repeated my achievements after 26 years. I am delighted to see them demonstrate their mettle and progress. For Mai Ngoc, it was the biggest international match of his career, while Anh Hoang still proved his qualities but really needs to stay calm at important moments."

GRAPHICS: LAM TAN NHUT

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