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

Nguyen Thuy Linh, Vietnam's leading badminton hope at Asiad 20, shared candid insights about preparations for the upcoming Games in Japan. According to Dan Tri newspaper, the 26-year-old athlete openly expressed concerns about the intense competition when discussing medal prospects.

'Competing at the Asian Games is completely different from regular tournaments. Southeast Asia may feel like home, but when stepping onto the continental stage, we face opponents who are superior in every aspect,' Linh said in the interview. She is Vietnam's only female singles player to have participated in two Olympic Games and three consecutive Asian Games, but this very experience has become an even greater psychological burden.

Current Preparations and Hidden Challenges

Over the first three months of 2026, Vietnam's national badminton team trained at the National Sports Training Center with intensity described as 'relatively high' compared to baseline. However, sources from the coaching staff indicate that the absence of foreign coaches during the Asian Games preparation phase has significantly impacted the team's tactical depth.

An experienced international badminton observer, who has monitored at least 15 continental tournaments, noted that the physical gap between Linh and top Asian competitors has narrowed considerably over the past three years, but technical-tactical elements remain a 'gray area' requiring time to address. 'She can compete point by point, but to beat a top-30 world player at Asian Games requires more than willpower,' the anonymous source stated.

The year 2026 was described by Linh as 'not meeting expectations.' While she maintained her position among Asia's top 20 women's singles players, results at Super 1000 and Super 750 events revealed noticeable inconsistency against direct rivals for Olympic qualification. Particularly, her head-to-head record against Thai and Indonesian players over the past year shows a win rate below the threshold needed for confident Asian Games performance.

Pressure from Expectations and Financial Challenges

Beyond professional matters, financial constraints affecting Vietnamese sports generally and badminton specifically have emerged as a concern. Compared to badminton powerhouses like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, Vietnam's national team funding remains modest. This partially explains why coaching staff must balance maintaining international competition schedules with preserving fitness for critical phases.

Linh did not directly address financial aspects in the interview, but her comments about 'differences between competing domestically and on the continental stage' implicitly reflect a reality: Vietnamese athletes often must adapt more independently compared to colleagues from more systematically funded nations. 'At major tournaments, you don't have much time to familiarize yourself with the venue, adapt to weather conditions, or adjust strategies. Everything must be prepared before departure,' she noted.

Looking Back at Three Asian Games Journeys

From Incheon 2026 through Jakarta-Palembang 2026 to Hangzhou 2026, Linh has witnessed significant changes in Asian badminton's landscape. New generations of players from China, Japan, and South Korea continue to emerge, while established powers Indonesia and Malaysia maintain deep rosters. For Vietnam, Linh nearly fights 'alone against an entire army,' as her singles teammates have not demonstrated the necessary continental competitiveness.

'Every Asian Games, I realize something new: winning medals here isn't just about individual skill. It's a combination of fitness, tactics, mentality, and even luck,' Linh shared. She did not hide her highest ambitions for Asiad 20, while simultaneously acknowledging that 'just one off-day, and everything ends.'

Preparing for the Journey to Nagoya

The Vietnamese badminton team is expected to depart for Japan in late September, utilizing remaining time to complete physical preparations and familiarize with conditions at Aichi-Nagoya. Linh revealed she is focusing on two main elements: improving transition from defense to attack in passive situations, and building mental stability when facing pressure from opponent crowds.

This is not the first time Linh has demonstrated maturity in handling media interactions. Unlike purely optimistic statements, her recent interview comments show an athlete experienced enough to view reality objectively. This, perhaps, is her most important weapon at Asiad 20.

Before leaving the training center to continue her preparation competition schedule, Linh took time to reflect on her journey. From a young girl joining the national team at age 16 to now, she has overcome numerous injuries and difficult periods. Asiad 20 may be her final Asian Games as a women's singles athlete, or it could serve as the springboard for a major upset. 'I won't make grand promises,' she concluded, 'but I will give everything I have, with all my strength.'