Literature and martial arts go hand in hand.

(Baonghean) - In the Karatedo competition of this year's National Sports Festival, athlete Hoang Thi Ha of the Do Luong team is considered the golden girl. She won 2 out of the 4 gold medals the team achieved, including one individual gold medal in the women's singles Karatedo event.

Hoang Thi Ha (second from the left).

DThis wasn't the only time Ha won a gold medal, but it was her first individual gold medal after participating in two editions of the National Sports Games. The tournament, held every four years, brings together many outstanding athletes from 21 districts, towns, and cities throughout the province, including many professional athletes who have received formal training at the Sports Training Center. Even Ha herself was surprised by the result, because her opponents were so strong, and compared to other athletes, she didn't have much time to prepare for the tournament.

The Karatedo competition was part of the 7th Provincial Sports Festival this year, hosted by Do Luong district. In the men's team final, the home team, Do Luong, performed more successfully. However, due to a violation of regulations in the final greeting, the team lost the gold medal at the last minute. Crying over her team's defeat, Hoang Thi Ha entered the women's individual competition feeling uneasy. Nevertheless, overcoming initial obstacles, Ha performed excellently and won the gold medal amidst the cheers of the large audience. Even the judges were impressed by her performance, praising her sharp, confident, and powerful strikes. Holding the gold medal in her hands, she tearfully told her teammates, "So, I've helped you guys get the victory back..." Previously, due to her studies, Ha didn't have much time to practice. Only a week before the competition did she return to Do Luong to train with her teammates. In the team competition, Ha had to put in a lot of effort because it requires synchronization, unity, and a true understanding of each other. However, in reality, Ha and the other two members only got to know each other a few days before the official competition.

Ha is currently a second-year student in the Faculty of Literature Education at Vinh University. Without her Karatedo uniform, Ha returns to being a demure and gentle education student. Looking at this pretty girl with shoulder-length hair and a soft voice, no one would guess that she has been practicing Karatedo for nearly 15 years, since she was a fourth-grade student at a village school. At that time, Ha's parents saw the growing popularity of karate in their village and enrolled her, hoping she would become healthier and more flexible. Unexpectedly, their youngest daughter, who was doted on by the whole family, became so passionate about the sport. Even after the class disbanded and the number of people in the village practicing martial arts gradually decreased, Ha persevered, cycling nearly 10 kilometers a week from her home in Trung Son commune to Do Luong town to attend classes. By the eighth grade, Ha had achieved the First Dan rank. She didn't stop there; she has pursued martial arts ever since. Even as a university student, she hasn't missed a single training session. Besides Karatedo, Ha is now also familiarizing herself with many other martial arts such as Taekwondo, Vovinam, Judo, Aikido…

When asked how martial arts has impacted her, Ha said, "a lot." Simply put, Ha used to be a shy and weak girl, but since becoming familiar with martial arts, she feels much stronger and more independent. Ha is also the only daughter in her family, but her parents never worry because they know their daughter, a martial artist, is very confident and capable of making her own decisions. Ha is also special because, despite studying martial arts, she has a talent for literature; in her senior year of high school, she won third prize in the provincial literature competition for gifted students.

Ha's martial arts prowess is also the reason why her classmates trusted her and elected her as class president for three years in high school, and now she is the class president of the Literature Education class K53A. She consistently demonstrates her dynamism and enthusiasm to her teachers and friends, especially in the school's and class's Youth Union activities, such as participating in voluntary blood donation, teaching Vietnamese to Lao students, and teaching literacy to underprivileged children. This academic year, she was awarded the title of "Outstanding Female Student" by the school for her excellent academic achievements and vibrant Youth Union activities.

Ha shared her future dream: to return to her hometown and become a literature teacher for students in her village. Regarding Karatedo, although she hasn't chosen it as her "career," she said she will stick with it until she no longer has the strength to practice. She has also thought about starting a martial arts class where she would be the teacher, helping children improve their health and teaching them the ethics and lifestyle of martial artists…

My Ha