Once again, veteran badminton player Nguyen Tien Minh has earned the admiration of his younger peers by leading the Ho Chi Minh City men’s team to victory in the 2024 National Badminton Team Championship. At the age of 41, Tien Minh continues to demonstrate his enduring skill and dedication to the sport.
Nguyen Tien Minh and the HCMC badminton team reached the finals of the National Badminton Team Championship 2024, held at Bac Giang Provincial Sports Hall, where they defeated Hanoi to claim the top position in the men’s category. After the championship concluded on the evening of May 17, Tien Minh expressed his joy on Facebook, writing, “It’s been five years since we last won the national men’s team championship. Thank you to everyone who supported Minh and the city team throughout the tournament!”
Tien Minh’s performance at the tournament showcased his effectiveness on the court, despite his age. “Tien Minh is over 40 years old, but he remains one of the most professional players in terms of training and competition. Many young players still learn from his experience,” said Khoa Trung Kien, a representative of the badminton department at the General Department of Sports and Physical Training.
Though he may not possess the youthful vigor of his younger years, Tien Minh’s experience and strategic play make him a formidable opponent. In a preliminary match against young player Le Minh Son from Hai Phong, Tien Minh won decisively with a score of 2-0 (21/7, 21/7). In the semifinals against host team Bac Giang, he faced the young talent Tran Quoc Khanh. Despite a strong challenge, Tien Minh secured a thrilling 2-1 victory after more than an hour of play, leading HCMC to the finals. Tien Minh, at 41, outplayed the 18-year-old Khanh with his composure and experience.
Nguyen Tien Minh’s professionalism and commitment to high-performance sports are widely acknowledged. Last year, at 40, he won the men’s singles title at the 2023 National Badminton Individual Championship. This year, after the team championship, Tien Minh aims to defend his singles title at the 2024 National Badminton Individual Championship in August.
Four years ago, Tien Minh competed in his final Olympic Games (Tokyo 2020) at age 38, earning his spot through his competitive results. Throughout his career, he has maintained the highest level of professionalism, driven by a genuine love for badminton.
Currently, Tien Minh is increasingly involved in badminton workshops and fan interactions across various clubs nationwide. He remains committed to promoting the sport, saying, “I want to build a strong badminton training movement in many places so more people come to this sport. Therefore, I will continue to contribute my best to badminton in every tournament.”
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