Olympian Vinh to focus on Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games

Shooting

Trịnh Thu Vinh (right) talks with her coach Park Chung Gun during her 10m air pistol event at the Paris Olympics. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Markwoman Trịnh Thu Vinh has moved her attention to titles at the sixth Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG 6) which will be held in November in Thailand.

The Paris Olympian, teammates and coaches returned home on August 6 to Hà Nội.

Although Vinh was praised after her fourth place in the first 10m air pistol event and seventh in the 25m pistol, Vinh said these were not her best performances and she would have to strive harder to get better in the upcoming events.

“It is my first time in the Olympics and it was difficult to avoid being nervous and worried, but besides that, it was an honor to represent Việt Nam competing in the world’s largest arena,” she told media at the Nội Bài airport.

“I set a target of having best results possible. My results are all good, but they are still not enough to bring glory home. I regret more than anyone else, however, I gave it my best.”

She added that she had to improve her level and needed a little luck during competition.

“I have also learned many lessons from international shooters. In my mind now is an Olympic defeat. I’m going to earn my place in the next Olympics and be more successful. I hope to raise the national flag in the international arenas.”

Vinh will have little chance to rest. She will be one of key shooters of Việt Nam at the Asian tournament, the first time this sport of precision is included in the list of competitions.

Trịnh Thu Vinh (right) competes in the 25m pistol event at the Paris Olympics. — VNA/VNS Photo

There will be five sets of medals available in the AIMAG 6 and in her classes of the 10m and 25 m air pistol Vinh will face strong rivals from India, South Korea and China, who just competed against her in Paris.

A strategy needed

Twelve years ago when shooter Hoàng Xuân Vinh placed fourth in the London Olympics’ men’s 10m air pistol, coach Nguyễn Thị Nhung built a specific plan to push him to the Rio Games’ podium.

Under strong support of the national sport managers, Việt Nam Shooting Federation and sponsors, Vinh was regularly sent abroad for intensive training courses and competed internationally. His ability was strongly lifted and he won two titles at the World Cup in 2013 and 2014, and one gold and one silver in Rio, setting the best ever Olympics for Việt Nam.

Nhung who is now retired but keeps up with the national shooting community, believed that Thu Vinh could be a world class elite shooter if she received suitable support.

“Vinh showed a good performance in the first series of shots. I guessed that after being in top four (of the 10m air pistol) she was excited to have a medal. That status led her to unfocused and she failed to manage her shots. It is a big lesson for her. There is no place for any mistakes in the Olympics, a hub of strongest rivals,” said Nhung.

Nhung said in shooting, athletes were susceptible to psychological trauma, whether they lose or win. Vinh was talented and so she needed to overcome these defeats quickly and pay attention to the next tournaments.

“Now we need to have a long-term investment for Vinh for her best preparation and success as the 2026 Asian Games and the 2028 Olympic Games. If there is a suitable roadmap, it is feasible for her to win a medal at the next Olympics,” Nhung said. VNS