Fighter Nguyen Van A wins gold at 2026 World Vovinam Championship

On the evening of March 15, 2026, at Quan Ngua Stadium (Hanoi), fighter Nguyen Van A brilliantly won the Gold Medal in the men's 65kg category at the 12th World Vovinam Championship. This is the first time a Vietnamese fighter has claimed the crown in this weight class in eight years. The final was tense against Thai opponent Somchai Rattanapong, a two-time Asian champion. From the first round, Nguyen Van A took the initiative with Vovinam's signature throws and kicks. In the 3rd minute, he successfully executed a 'horizontal chop – knee throw' causing the referee to start a count. Somchai got up but was clearly dazed. In the second round, the Vietnamese fighter continued to dominate with a surprise arm lock and choke, forcing the referee to stop the fight at 2:18. The technical knockout victory gave Nguyen Van A the gold amid the roaring home crowd. According to coach Tran Van Binh's analysis, Nguyen Van A's strategy was very different this time: instead of countering, he pressed forward from the start, leveraging his long reach and power from specialized weight training over the past six months. 'We analyzed Somchai's last 12 matches and found a weakness in his defense when pressed against the ropes. A executed the plan perfectly,' Coach Binh shared. This is not only a personal honor but also a boost for Vietnamese Vovinam, which is restructuring after years of underinvestment. The Vietnam Vovinam Federation announced it will establish a key training center in Da Nang to nurture young talents. Nguyen Van A, 26, from Nam Dinh, started Vovinam at age 10. Prior to this, he had two SEA Games golds and one Asian bronze. However, experts also warn about injury risks from high training intensity. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan – sports medicine specialist at Hanoi Sports Hospital – noted that with the strong striking frequency and throws, athletes are prone to shoulder ligament and spine injuries. A comprehensive rehabilitation plan after each tournament is essential. Immediately after the final, Nguyen Van A underwent a full health check; initial results showed only minor bruising on his left thigh. The World Vovinam Championship this year gathered 48 countries with over 800 fighters. The Vietnamese delegation ranked second overall with 5 golds, 4 silvers, and 6 bronzes, behind Thailand. This achievement solidifies Vietnam's position as a cradle of the traditional martial art. On social media, fans erupted with the hashtag #Vovinam_Vietnam_vo_dich. Many expressed pride and hope that Nguyen Van A will continue the legacy of Vovinam legends like Hoang Vinh Giang and Nguyen Van Chieu. Looking ahead, this success raises the challenge of maintaining form and avoiding 'champion syndrome' where fame pressure affects mental performance. Coach Tran Van Binh confirmed the team has a two-week rest schedule before starting a new training cycle targeting the 2027 SEA Games. In summary, Nguyen Van A's victory at the 2026 World Vovinam Championship is a memorable milestone. It not only brings glory to the nation but also opens a new direction for Vietnamese martial arts internationally. The echoes of the final still reverberate with every punch and throw on the mat.