She said that although the result was not the gold medal, she had memorable memories.
Participating in the doubles event for the first time
Taekwondo fighter Nguyen Thi Kim Ha expressed after winning the Silver Medal in the men's and women's doubles performance at the 33rd SEA Games: "This is the first time I have participated in the doubles event at the SEA Games. Previously, I participated in the women's team event.
I have prepared carefully to aim for the highest result in the men's and women's doubles event but only have a Silver Medal. The runner-up results also brought some regret, but I am still confident to participate in the next events with the goal of winning the best position".
Kim Ha is a familiar face to taekwondo fans in the performing rights category. She has experienced the arenas of Southeast Asia, Asia and the world. Experts have analyzed that Kim Ha is one of the players who is confident in her performances and completes each movement well.
This is the 4th SEA Games in my career. I won a Gold Medal at the 31st SEA Games held in Vietnam. At the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia, I won a Bronze Medal. At the 30th SEA Games in the Philippines, I won the Bronze Medal. Therefore, with the results in the men's and women's doubles event at the 33rd SEA Games, this is the first time I have won a Silver Medal at the SEA Games, Kim Ha shared.
Kim Ha said that she had become familiar with the basic techniques of taekwondo when entering her career as an athlete, not from any sport. The female player's figure may be small, but Kim Ha affirmed that she always tries hard in training, completing any difficult exercises in terms of expertise because if she wants to succeed in boxing, the fighter must overcome challenges and show strength in movements.
"Getting into a martial arts program with a girl is not easy. There are even times when athletes like us are injured. However, I love this sport very much, so if I had to choose it again, I still thought I would turn to taekwondo, Kim Ha added.
The older sister brings a lot of experience
Nguyen Kim Ha's passion for sports and taekwondo is partly passed down from his sister Nguyen Thi Le Kim. Boxer Nguyen Thi Le Kim is one of the outstanding taekwondo players, winning many Gold Medals in international arenas.
Kim Ha shared: When I was young, my sister was the one I considered an idol. When she followed sports and won valuable medals, I admired her even more. It was a great fortune that my sister and I had the opportunity to compete in the Vietnam Taekwondo Team. Those are the times when both of us have many memories in the competition.
Kim Ha was born and raised in her hometown of Binh Thuan (old) now Lam Dong. She said that after many days of studying and practicing talented sports in her hometown and then continuing to practice in Ho Chi Minh City, Kim Ha has been practicing professional techniques in fine arts in taekwondo.
The female player recalled the first time she was gathered for the Vietnam Taekwondo Performance Team in 2019. Since then, she has been a senior national player for 6 years, but her experience has always been accumulated to become one of the top players in Vietnam.
I have had the opportunity to compete at the 2023 ASIAD-19 in China. At that time, I also focused on preparing professionally and received a lot of guidance from my sister. Because each technique or each experience of the predecessor, especially from her sister, brings significant values. Unfortunately, I ended up 5th in the women's individual event. That was the first time I participated in the Asian Games, said martial artist Nguyen Kim Ha.
When asked what was the most memorable memory of her career, Nguyen Kim Ha immediately replied: "That was the 31st SEA Games competition in Vietnam!". Recalling the moments of competing at Tay Ho Stadium (Hanoi) at that time, Kim Ha said that the result of the Gold Medal for the women's team that she won at the 31st SEA Games was an unforgettable memory because it was her first time winning the championship at the Southeast Asian Games.
However, what the female fighter still wants to repeat is that the two sisters (Kim Ha, Le Kim) both won Gold Medals for the Vietnam Taekwondo Team. Nguyen Kim Ha said: "Ms. Kim has a Gold Medal for the mixed-use men's and women's team, I have a Gold Medal for the women's team. The two sisters won the championship at the SEA Games and took place at home again. That is why I still remember this result.
There are many plans ahead
At the age of 25, Kim Ha said that she has many plans to continue developing her skills with taekwondo and her sports career. First of all, I will complete my university degree and then prepare for myself future plans. But at this time, I am still focusing on doing well as a taekwondo athlete, Nguyen Kim Ha expressed.
She is currently a student of the Faculty of Sports Sciences at Ton Duc Thang University (Ho Chi Minh City). In her mind, Kim Ha believes that improving knowledge is a top priority but still has to achieve a degree and knowledge to support her future career. The female player shared that she could not rule out the possibility of becoming a taekwondo coach if she retired from the ring. However, that intention is still in the specific unrealistic expectation.
Recalling the time she started practicing taekwondo, Kim Ha said that she was very aware of this choice to develop a long-term career. I also think that I will have a career to develop if I do well and fulfill my passion well. Reality has proven my choice. I have learned a lot from my teachers and seniors.
Each person has given me a little experience and I learn a lot. Now, I am fully focused on my career as a taekwondo athlete, but if there are opportunities for future development, I will definitely not miss them because this is a valuable sport that I have pursued to this point, said martial artist Kim Ha.
Standing on the podium to receive the Silver Medal in the mixed doubles event at the 33rd SEA Games, Kim Ha smiled in front of the TV camera. She said that in competition, competition is always something everyone is aiming for. But when the results were officially recognized, regardless of the color of the medal, I was proud to have made every effort to do my best to achieve achievements for the country's sports.
