The story of the karate athlete from Nghe An who won the Gold Medal at the 32nd SEA Games

Career turning point

Born in 2000, the son of two brothers in a working-class family in Nghi Lien commune (Vinh city), but since childhood Ngoc Hiep has always created for himself discipline, the will to rise up, and not succumb to difficulties.

Thanks to his good physical strength, ability to play many sports and passion for martial arts, in 2012, when he was in 6th grade, Ngoc Hiep was introduced by a friend of his mother to Mr. Le Thanh Tam - former head coach of the Karate Team of Nghe An Sports Training and Competition Center. After being directly "tested" by coach Le Thanh Tam at home, more than 10 days later, Ngoc Hiep received notice that he was selected to join Nghe An Sports Training and Competition Center.

“This is an important turning point in my career. No one in my family is pursuing a professional sports career, so when I started training at the Sports Training and Competition Center to become a martial arts athlete, everyone was worried. However, the encouragement of my family and the dedicated guidance of teachers Le Thanh Tam and Nguyen Cong Manh helped me become more determined to pursue karate,” Ngoc Hiep confided.

Nguyen Viet Ngoc Hiep (right) competes at the 9th National Sports Congress in 2022. Photo: NVCC

For many martial arts athletes in general and karate athletes in particular, having to train at high intensity often leads to injuries, even multiple injuries. Ngoc Hiep is no exception. In particular, in 2014, Ngoc Hiep thought he would have to give up karate when he broke his leg and had to wear a cast for several months. However, his love for karate and the enthusiastic encouragement of his teachers motivated Ngoc Hiep to rise up and come back stronger after each recovery.

After 3 years of being selected for the provincial karate team, in 2015, Ngoc Hiep was called up to the national youth team. After consecutively winning Gold Medals at the National Youth Championships and the National Karate Club Championships, in 2018, Nguyen Viet Ngoc Hiep was called up to the national team and immediately won the Silver Medal at the Southeast Asian Karate Championship held at home that year, in the kumite competition over 86 kg.

However, in the following years, consecutive injuries, along with the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, caused Ngoc Hiep's career to somewhat stagnate.

By the end of 2022, atNational Sports FestivalIn 2022, Ngoc Hiep returned to compete and won 1 Bronze Medal. Earlier this year, Ngoc Hiep was included in the National Team competing in the 2023 Southeast Asian Karate Championship. Although he only won 1 Silver Medal, Ngoc Hiep's performance at this tournament helped him continue to be included in the National Team to participate.SEA Games 32held in Cambodia.

Nguyen Viet Ngoc Hiep (far right) and his teammates won gold medal at SEA Games 32. Photo: NVCC

At this tournament, along with teammates Le Tien Dat, Chu Van Duc, Do Manh Hung, Lo Van Bien, Vo Van Hien..., Nguyen Viet Ngoc Hiep won 1 Gold Medal in the men's team kumite event.

Overcome yourself

When asked what makes him most proud, Nguyen Viet Ngoc Hiep shared that it is the athlete who has overcome himself, thereby overcoming challenges, stepping onto the podium of glory by bringing home prestigious medals for the Fatherland.

“The medals, whether Gold, Silver, or Bronze, are the result of many efforts and hard work not only by me but also by Nghe An sports in particular and Vietnam in general. Behind that glory are sweat and tears, but they are extremely worthy trade-offs. And each tournament I have won is a chance for me to gain more experience, courage and temper my will,” Ngoc Hiep confided.

Nguyen Viet Ngoc Hiep (second from left) received a Certificate of Merit from the People's Committee of Nghe An province at the ceremony to honor athletes participating in the SEA Games and international tournaments. Photo: Minh Quan

The 10-year journey of experiencing both bitter and sweet experiences with karate has forged Ngoc Hiep's determination, bravery and iron will to overcome difficulties. After all, Hiep still feels very happy because he can still pursue his passion and receive precious love from his family and colleagues.

“My biggest motivation is my family, brothers and friends. They are by my side whenever I fail or stumble, and are the support for me to stand up firmly and succeed in tournaments. They are also important provisions for me to continue pursuing the path I have chosen.”

Nguyen Viet Ngoc Hiep - National karate player, athlete of Nghe An Sports Training and Competition Center.

According to Nguyen Viet Ngoc Hiep, although he encountered many obstacles in pursuing a career as a professional athlete, he still had advantages compared to many of his colleagues. “I am lucky to live right in Vinh city and often return to my family, while most of my teammates are far from home and face many difficulties in living at the center. In addition, among the martial arts athletes at the Nghe An Sports Training and Competition Center, there are many female athletes who, although they look fragile, always show great will and effort. These are the examples for me to try harder in training and competing,” Ngoc Hiep confided.

Nguyen Viet Ngoc Hiep (middle) with coaches Nguyen Cong Manh and Nguyen Nhu Quynh (Nghe An Sports Training and Competition Center). Photo: Minh Quan

Coach Nguyen Cong Manh (Nghe An Sports Training and Competition Center) said: “Nguyen Viet Ngoc Hiep is one of the typical athletes in karate of the city's sports. During training and competition, Hiep always shows outstanding efforts, discipline in training, cheerfulness, and harmony with teammates at the center. At tournaments, he always sets the goal of conquering gold medals. The outstanding achievements Hiep has achieved for the country's sports and Nghe An sports are proof of his will and efforts over the past 9 years. Currently, Ngoc Hiep is receiving key investment from the province, aiming to conquer bigger tournaments in the future."

Sharing about his upcoming plans, Ngoc Hiep said that he will continue to strive for higher goals. After the 32nd SEA Games, he is working hard to practice and achieve high results in domestic tournaments to be named in the national team to participate in the Asian Karate Championship, ASIAD. He always reminds himself to try harder and achieve many high results to bring the best images of Nghe An land and people to domestic and international friends.

After I retire from high-performance competitions, I hope to continue working with karate as a coach, passing on my experience to young athletes, so that Nghe An karate can continue to develop and make its mark in tournaments," Ngoc Hiep shared.