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While Vietnam has made strides in sports in recent years, its performance at major events like the Olympics and Asian Games remains modest. At the Olympics, Vietnam’s results have been inconsistent and on a downward trajectory. For instance, at the 2012 London Olympics, 18 Vietnamese athletes qualified, and the country took home one bronze medal in weightlifting. In contrast, at the 2016 Rio Olympics, 23 athletes participated, winning one gold and one silver medal in shooting, thanks to the impressive performance of Hoang Xuan Vinh. However, this success did not continue at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics or the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, with Vietnam sending fewer athletes and failing to secure any medals. The nation’s performance at the Asian Games followed a similar pattern, with a gradual decline in gold medals from 2014 to 2022 (held in 2023 due to COVID-19). Vietnamese shooters perfect their aim during a training session. Photo: Hoang Tung / Tuoi Tre Despite consistent...

The JOOLA 2025 Pickleball Legends Tour across Asia is an exciting sporting event that will bring together some of the biggest names in pickleball and tennis. As part of this tour, Vietnam will play host to renowned athletes, including Agassi, Ben Johns, Ana Bright, Tyson McGuffin, Brooker Buckner, Chao Yi (Zoey) Wang, and tennis legend, Agassi. From Wednesday to Saturday, these stars will be touring Vietnam and China, sharing their passion for pickleball with enthusiasts in both countries. Agassi, a name synonymous with tennis excellence, expressed his enthusiasm for the tour, stating that he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to connect with the community in China and Vietnam and spread the joy of pickleball. Agassi’s illustrious tennis career spanned three decades, starting in 1986. During this time, he climbed to the pinnacle of the ATP rankings, amassed eight Grand Slam titles, and stood atop the Olympic podium with a gold medal in 1996. Now, at 54, he continues to leave his mark o...

The pinnacle of this collaboration between Lion City Sailors FC and Cong An Ha Noi FC will be an international friendly match in 2025, bringing together two powerhouse clubs from Singapore and Vietnam. This match symbolizes more than just a sporting event; it celebrates the profound and growing connection between these two nations. Scheduled to coincide with Singapore’s 60th and Vietnam’s 80th independence anniversaries, this exhibition match also underscores the enhanced bilateral ties, elevated this month to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Lion City Sailors FC and Cong An Ha Noi FC share a vision for football that extends beyond the pitch. By leveraging their platforms, they aim to foster greater regional engagement and utilize football as a powerful tool to build bridges between people, strengthening the social fabric of the community. In addition to the showcase of elite football talent, the clubs will collaborate closely in the realm of youth development, exchanging expe...

The first leg of this thrilling encounter ended in a pulsating 2-2 draw in Rotterdam on Thursday, with Spain scoring a stoppage-time equalizer. Now, the European champions have the advantage of playing at home in the second leg. “I expect another intense match,” said Koeman at a press conference on Saturday. “Both teams can learn from the first leg and will make adjustments. Spain had moments where they were under pressure, and they will surely look to improve in those areas. We also need to do better and make the most of our chances.” Despite the challenge, Koeman believes his team has what it takes to upset the hosts and advance to the semi-finals, where they would face either Croatia or France. The Croatians currently hold a 2-0 lead going into their return leg in Paris. “We had our opportunities in the first leg, and we need to be more clinical in the second leg,” Koeman reflected. “There are areas we need to improve, and I’m confident we will see a stronger performance tomorrow...

George Foreman, affectionately known as “Big George,” had a remarkable journey from dropping out of school as a teenager to becoming an Olympic champion and, later, a boxing legend. Foreman’s professional career spanned 81 fights, with an impressive 76 wins and 68 knockouts. His success in the ring led to endorsements, including the famous “George Foreman Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine,” which brought him celebrity status beyond the world of sports. Foreman’s family announced his passing on March 21, 2025, with a heartfelt statement on Instagram, expressing their sorrow and gratitude for the love and prayers received. Bob Arum, a legendary boxing promoter, hailed Foreman as a powerhouse in the ring and a larger-than-life personality. Born in Texas in 1949, Foreman had a challenging upbringing in Houston. He was raised by a frequently absent and alcoholic father figure, only learning later in life that J.D. Foreman was not his biological father. Foreman’s real father, a Wor...

The seven-time world champion, who joined Ferrari with an already impressive record of 105 wins and 104 poles, added another remarkable feat to his name by smashing the Shanghai circuit lap record. He secured the top slot for the 100km sprint race on Saturday, leaving his fans thrilled. Friday’s sprint qualifying was a moment that justified the hype around the 40-year-old’s move to Ferrari. After a somewhat disappointing season-opener in Australia, where he qualified eighth and finished 10th, Hamilton’s performance in China was a strong statement. When asked about setting a new benchmark, even though sprint poles don’t officially count, Hamilton expressed his surprise and shock. His initial reaction over the team radio was one of disbelief, followed by laughter. Formula One F1 – Chinese Grand Prix – Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, China – March 21, 2025: Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton during practice. Photo: Reuters “I’m honestly gobsmacked and taken aback by this,” Ha...

Brandon ‘The Sheriff’ Du Plessis retained his UFC middleweight title with a comprehensive victory over challenger Sean Strickland in Las Vegas on Saturday night. The 31-year-old extended his impressive win-loss record to 23-2, firmly establishing himself as the premier 185-pound fighter in mixed martial arts today. Du Plessis initially claimed the belt from Strickland in a closely contested split decision in their first meeting in Toronto in January of last year, which the polarizing American vehemently disputed. Since then, the South African champion has successfully defended his title against the Nigeria-born contender, Israel Adesanya, in August, while Strickland rebounded with a tepid defeat of Brazil’s Paulo Costa, setting the stage for their highly anticipated rematch. “Facing a formidable opponent like Strickland, attempting a knockout is next to impossible,” acknowledged Du Plessis, the first South African to hold a UFC championship belt. “I would’ve loved to continue excha...

Huu Tin Company has secured the broadcast rights for the J1 League in Vietnam until 2027, bringing high-quality Japanese football action to Vietnamese audiences. Live matches will be aired on the HTV The Thao channel in the afternoon, providing a convenient and exciting viewing experience for football enthusiasts in Vietnam. With ideal broadcast timings and a promise of thrilling encounters, the J1 League is poised to become a favorite among Vietnamese fans. It also offers a window into Japanese culture, providing a unique perspective for those passionate about football and Asian culture alike. “Our goal in bringing the J1 League to Vietnam is twofold,” said Nguyen Hoang Duy, representative of Huu Tin Company. “Firstly, we want to offer a premier football tournament to our audiences, and secondly, we believe it will be a valuable learning opportunity for Vietnamese football to draw inspiration from the strengths of Japanese football.” Nguyen Dinh Khoi, head of HTV’s sports departme...

An official confirmed that while an agreement has been reached regarding the renewable extension of Ronaldo’s contract, it has not yet been signed. An announcement is expected in the coming days. Ronaldo, who recently celebrated his 40th birthday, is currently contracted with Al Nassr until June 2025. The football icon, known for his stints with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, joined Al Nassr in January 2023. Since then, he has been on a remarkable goalscoring run, netting 82 times in 90 appearances. In August, Ronaldo pledged his commitment to Al Nassr, stating his intention to remain with the club until the end of his professional career, whenever that may be. He added that it would likely be with Al Nassr, a team that brings him happiness and a sense of belonging. Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr in Riyadh two years ago was seen as a surprising choice, as he traded the spotlight for a less prominent football scene. The deal was reportedly worth $250 million. However, hi...

On the morning of Thursday last week, a meeting was convened between tournament organizers and the Vietnamese cycling team to address the truck fire that caused extensive damage to their equipment. A mutual agreement was reached, wherein the Vietnamese team would borrow bikes from the host team and other participating teams for the duration of the competition. Additionally, the organizers took initiative by gathering information about the cyclists’ sizes, as well as their needs for helmets and shoes, to ensure they were provided with suitable gear. Thailand’s Vietnam Motorcycle and Bicycle Association has stepped up to the challenge, offering seven individual time trial bikes and helmets for the Vietnamese team’s use, along with ongoing efforts to procure shoes and pedals by Thursday. In parallel, the association is expediting the shipment of road bikes from Vietnam, expected to arrive in Thailand on February 10, ensuring a timely solution. A critical aspect of the meeting was the...

The unexpected success of Morocco in reaching the 2022 World Cup semi-finals has sparked a wave of optimism across the continent, with many believing that an African nation lifting the trophy is no longer a distant dream. Benjamin Balkin, co-founder of Eyeball, a digital platform launched in 2020, shares this sentiment and believes that his platform could be a pivotal factor in making this a reality. Describing himself light-heartedly as a “failed footballer,” Balkin’s own experiences as a youth player at Monaco, where he rubbed shoulders with the likes of Yaya Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor, fueled his passion for creating a platform that showcases talent that might otherwise be overlooked. This passion led to Eyeball’s investment in the United Future League, an Under-19 championship for Senegalese academies, as well as providing video cameras to 5,000 youth coaches worldwide. The coaches film training sessions and tag individual players, with the footage then uploaded to the platform....