TPO - Bui Thi Thao Ngan, a girl from the Pink Lotus Land (Dong Thap), the world champion in Vovinam 2023, revealed that the secret to being a champion is to conquer oneself, fight wholeheartedly for the national flag, and the pride of the nation.

In an interview with a reporter from Tien Phong Newspaper, Bui Thi Thao Ngan said she had just completed the training program with the National Vovinam Team in Hanoi and returned to university to continue her studies from December 11. Photo: NVCC

Thao Ngan is currently in her third year of studying physical education at Dong Thap University. She mentioned that she plans to move to Hanoi for training with the National Team at the beginning of 2024.

Currently, alongside her daily study schedule, Thao Ngan also participates in training activities at the Dong Thap Gifted High School for Sports Training Competition with her coaches and teammates. “This profession requires us to train daily to maintain our form,” Ngan confessed.

Ngan stated that her introduction to Vovinam was quite unexpected. In grade 7, a group of provincial officials visited her school to select students with talents to participate in  the Provincial Vovinam Team. Despite knowing nothing about martial arts at the time, she boldly signed up. After assessing her physical fitness, the coach selected Ngan as the only student from her school.

Thao Ngan is the eldest sister in a family of two siblings, and her parents work as farmers in Binh Thanh Trung commune (Lap Vo, Dong Thap). 
Ngan has the support of her family, and she moved to the Dong Thap Gifted High School for Sports Training Competition to train with the province's Vovinam coach and was later selected for the National Vovinam Team. Ngan recalled that at the beginning of training, it was so extremely difficult, and she often received “damp blows” all over her body, but she never gave up. The more she trained, the more determined and passionate she became about this traditional martial art. In the photo, Thao Ngan is wearing red armor while competing against her Thai opponent in the World Vovinam Championship Final.

"I am determined to overcome myself. Thus, I persist in training and never give up, no matter how difficult or challenging it gets. In the early training days, it was tough, and my whole body ached overnight. However, after that initial period, everything became familiar, and I grew more passionate about this traditional martial art," Ngan shared.

In 2023, Ngan participated in two international competitions: the 32nd Sea Games in Cambodia and the World Vovinam Championship hosted by Vietnam. In both competitions, the girl from the Pink Lotus Land won the championship.

Ngan expressed, "At the international competitions, especially when wearing uniform with the national flag on, it is an honor and a great responsibility for me. Therefore, I compete with determination and make every effort to bring glory to the country."

Ngan shared that her most impressive match was the final of the 32nd Sea Games against her Filipino opponent. It was her first international competition, and she was nervous. However, when she stood on the highest podium for the champion during the flag-raising ceremony, with the national anthem of Vietnam playing, she felt extremely emotional and proud.

The world championship final against my Thai opponent was another emotional experience, even more special and filled with pride. At that time, all my mental and professional focus was on the match. Before the competition, I thoroughly studied videos of my opponent to counter their strengths and improve my weaknesses. When the overall victory with a score of 7-1 was announced, not only I but also the coaching staff, my parents, and relatives from my hometown jumped for joy," Thao Ngan recalled emotionally.