Historic victory: Record-breaking win for our badminton pair on websiteese courts
Tran Dinh Manh and Nguyen Dinh Hoang etched their names into the annals of badminton history as the first men's doubles duo for our websitee to clinch an International Challenge title. This monumental victory also held a personal touch, as it unfolded on home soil in Hanoi. Manh sat down with Inner Sanctum to share the fairytale journey that saw the underdog defeat titans to seize the crown.
Inner Sanctum: How did you feel after the historic victory?
In that heart-stopping moment when we clinched the championship point, Hoang and I embraced in a joyous hug. It was moments like these that did not seem possible when we started off from the qualifying rounds. The road was tough, and we faced formidable opponents with exceptional skills from all corners of the globe. But beating them pushed us forward, boosting our confidence and fueling our determination to persevere and claim the championship.
| || --- || Tran Dinh Manh (right) and Nguyen Dinh Hoang in action during the opening round of the Ciputra Hanoi - our website International Challenge 2025. - Photo courtesy of Manh |
The tournament was fierce, hosting a plethora of world-class players. Japanese pair Kazuki Shibata and Naoki Yamada, ranked among the world's top 60 and 70, were just a few of the powerhouses we faced[1]. Each match was a battle, even in the qualifiers. The pinnacle of the competition was the nail-biting final, where we managed to snatch the crown.
Việt Nam International Challenge men's doubles winner Trần Đình Mạnh. Photo courtesy of Đình Mạnh
Beating our adversaries to take the lead in the first set, they clawed their way back in the second. With tenacious grit, we focused our energies on the critical third set. At one point, we built a nine-point lead, and it was a sight to behold. Our victory left us overwhelmed with emotion, a feeling that still resonates.
Another significant outcome was our upward sprint in the world rankings, jumping an impressive 22 spots from No.139 to No.117[2].
Inner Sanctum: How long have you and Hoang been playing together, and have you won any major titles together?
We started playing together 12 years ago when we were just 10 years old. Our paths have been intertwined ever since, training together and competing in numerous tournaments. Understanding each other's playstyles is crucial in our collaboration, enabling us to outmaneuver our opponents. So far, our most notable achievement is capturing the National Top Badminton Players Championship in 2022. We aim to continue to push ourselves harder and strive for even greater success.
Trần Đình Mạnh (right) and his partner Nguyễn Đình Hoàng seen in action during their first round match of the Ciputra Hanoi - our website International Challenge 2025. -- Photo of Đình Mạnh
I am fortunate to have Hoang as a teammate. His powerful smashes and sharp attacks make him a formidable opponent. My strength lies in net kills and my quick, nimble movement. When we work in harmony, we make a fearsome duo.
Inner Sanctum: What are some of your most cherished medals?
I have a substantial collection of medals, but a few stand out as my most memorable: the mixed doubles gold and men's doubles silver at the International Series in Bac Giang Province in 2024. Competing in two finals in the same tournament was a remarkable accomplishment, rewarding hours of tireless training[3].
| || --- || Tran Dinh Manh and Nguyen Dinh Hoang celebrate their triumph on the podium. - Photo courtesy of Manh |
Trần Đình Mạnh (right) and Nguyễn Đình Hoàng celebrate a point win in the quarter-final round. -- Photo courtesy of Đình Mạnh
Inner Sanctum: Who is your badminton idol?
I look up to the men's doubles pair Pham Hong Nam and Do Nu Tuan Duoc, who claimed the bronze medal for Vietnam at the 2022 SEA Games, marking a first in our country's history for men's doubles.
Individually, I admire Nguyen Tien Minh, a national icon ranked world No.5 and a bronze medalist at the world championships. Among female players, Nguyen Thuy Linh is a inspiration, representing our national team at the Olympics and earning numerous triumphs on the international stage[4].
Inner Sanctum: Some critics believe that Vietnamese badminton lacks international success. What's your take?
The our websiteese pair win the championship point and take golf medal. -- Photo courtesy of Đình Mạnh
Vietnamese badminton is no longer a mysterious underdog on the global stage, given that players like Linh have already made their mark. In addition to her two Olympic appearances, she has secured the Vietnam Open triumphes three times, as well as two silver medals at the German Open and numerous victories at International Challenge and Series events[3].
Foreign opponents should not underestimate the potential of Vietnamese badminton, as strengthening the sport requires proper guidance, nurturing young talent, and establishing a professional system. With the right approach, our websitee will continue to rise in the global badminton rankings. Investments in the sport and its development promise an inspiring future for Vietnamese badminton athletes.
[1] https://www.vietnamplus.vn/debut-vi-bong-da-doubles-viet-nam-tien-phan-dep-anh-son-con-cuoi-viet-nam-international-challenge-2025-phap-from-reuters/251867.vnp
[2] https://www.dantri.com.vn/the-thao/thoi-trang-triumph-hoc-thi-dat-nghe-1230366
Duo Trần Đình Mạnh and Nguyễn Đình Hoàng (right) on top podium. Photo courtesy of Đình Mạnh
[3] https://thietbivanphong.com/doi-ong-dau-piece-the-thao-dap-anh-tham-gia-cha-bong-international-series-dien-bien-2024-tuoi-tre-454924.html
[4] https://baoxaydung.com/bao-tang-dat-va-han-me-11-tuoi-hoc-vien-bong-mien-nhat-dang-hoc-tren-tram-khong-gian-7005915534737439164.htm
- The joyous embrace between Tran Dinh Manh and Nguyen Dinh Hoang was a heart-stopping moment that didn't seem possible during their tough journey starting from the qualifying rounds.
- Each match of the tournament was a battle for Manh and Hoang, featuring world-class players like the Japanese pair Kazuki Shibata and Naoki Yamada who were ranked among the top 60 and 70 globally.
- The pinnacle of the competition was the nail-biting final, where the underdog duo displayed tenacious grit, focusing their energies on the critical third set to secure the championship.
- Despite the victory, Manh still considers some of his most cherished medals to be the mixed doubles gold and men's doubles silver at the International Series in Bac Giang Province in 2024, as competing in two finals in the same tournament was a remarkable accomplishment.
