Nguyen Tien Minh wins Vietnam Open 2026 qualifier: 43-year-old veteran still full of passion

This morning at Nguyen Du Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, a sight touched the hearts of Vietnamese badminton fans: Nguyen Tien Minh, 43 years old, stepped onto the court for the qualifying round of the Vietnam Open 2026 against an opponent nearly 20 years younger - Nguyen Hoang Thai Son, a doubles specialist. The result did not go beyond the expectations of those who follow the veteran: Minh won convincingly 2-0, thereby qualifying for the main draw. The Vietnam Open 2026 is a BWF World Tour tournament at the Super 100 level, held from September 8 to 13 in Ho Chi Minh City. This is one of the most important international tournaments hosted in Vietnam this year, attracting more than 300 athletes from 27 countries and territories. Being in the pre-major qualification window, the Super 100 is always an opportunity for players to accumulate points and gain international experience. Nguyen Tien Minh's match took place in the early qualifying round. His opponent, Nguyen Hoang Thai Son, though younger, is better known in doubles. After the match, Nguyen Tien Minh shared: "I knew my opponent had strength and speed, but he was not strong in singles. I used my experience and calmness to control the match." The 43-year-old veteran admitted that he is no longer at his peak physical condition, but he compensates with his experience and better reading of the game than his younger rivals. This victory is even more meaningful as Nguyen Tien Minh is currently ranked 254th in the world. Compared to his time in the world top 10 in 2026, his current ranking shows the inevitable decline of age. But what is admirable is that at 43, Minh still maintains the ability to compete at a high level on the international stage. This comes not only from physical fitness but also from smart tactics and mental toughness. With the qualifying win, Nguyen Tien Minh will enter the main draw, where he will face Taiwanese player Zhe Ying Wu. This is expected to be a major challenge for the Vietnamese veteran, as his opponent is younger and better ranked. However, fans still hope for an upset, because Nguyen Tien Minh always knows how to shine in domestic tournaments. Not only Nguyen Tien Minh, other Vietnamese players also competed in this year's tournament with mixed results. Le Duc Phat, one of the promising young players of Vietnamese badminton, had to take pain relief injections before competing due to knee and heel injuries. He still tried to play, supported by his wife who was watching from the stands. However, the injury significantly affected his performance, and the result was not as expected. Nguyen Hai Dang, another face of Vietnamese badminton, also stopped in the qualifying round. Meanwhile, in the women's singles, Nguyen Thuy Linh will have a notable match against 19-year-old Chinese player Xu Wen Jing. The presence of Nguyen Tien Minh at the age of 43 brings many thoughts about the next generation of Vietnamese badminton. While young players like Le Duc Phat and Nguyen Hai Dang are still developing with many injuries, the shadow of veteran Nguyen Tien Minh remains. This shows that the generation shift is not yet complete, and Vietnam's men's singles still relies heavily on the older generation. Looking at the overall picture of this year's tournament, Vietnam Open 2026 gathers many players from around the world, but without the presence of top Asian players from China or Indonesia. This shows that this is a regional-level tournament, where mid-ranked players have the opportunity to gain experience and points. For Vietnamese players, this is a chance to compete at home, in front of home fans, but it also brings pressure as expectations from fans are placed on their shoulders. One of the notable points of this year's tournament is the number of athletes participating, which is higher than previous years, with over 300 athletes. This shows the growing appeal of badminton in Southeast Asia, and Vietnam is gradually becoming an attractive destination in the BWF World Tour system. This is also an opportunity for young Vietnamese players to learn from international opponents and improve their professional skills. However, alongside these positive signals, there remain concerns about the development of Vietnamese badminton. Le Duc Phat needing pain relief injections to compete is a warning about medical care for athletes. Injuries are inevitable in sports, but if not treated properly and fully, they will affect the careers of young players. Additionally, the lack of a truly next generation for Nguyen Tien Minh is a problematic issue that needs to be addressed in the near future. From a professional perspective, Nguyen Tien Minh's victory over a doubles player in qualifying shows the tactical difference between singles and doubles. Nguyen Hoang Thai Son, despite having speed and strength, lacks experience in covering the court and reading the opponent's intentions as in singles. Nguyen Tien Minh exploited this weakness thoroughly by hitting clever drop shots, putting his opponent on the back foot. This is not the first time Minh has shown his ability to exploit opponents' weaknesses. Throughout his career, he has defeated younger opponents many times thanks to his experience and smart tactics. Looking at Nguyen Tien Minh's competitive history, one can see a career of persistence and endurance. From the early 2000s, Minh rose to become Vietnam's number one player and later world top 10. He won many international titles, bringing Vietnamese badminton onto the world map. Even when he is past his prime, Minh continues to prove that his passion for the sport has never faded. "I no longer think about competing with the world's top players. Now, I just want to play and enjoy the feeling on court," Nguyen Tien Minh confided. This statement perhaps reflects a Nguyen Tien Minh who has achieved peace in his soul, instead of chasing achievements; he chooses to experience the final moments of his career. However, that is exactly what makes fans appreciate what Minh is doing. At 43, when many of his peers have retired and become coaches, Minh remains dedicated on the court. He is a role model for younger generations about love for the sport. "If I maintain my health, I will continue to play. Badminton is my life," Minh added. The Vietnam Open 2026, with the participation of Nguyen Tien Minh and other Vietnamese players, is not just a sports tournament but also a story about overcoming age limits and the spirit of sportsmanship. Watching Nguyen Tien Minh on the court with his nimble steps and precise net shots, who would believe he is at the twilight of his career? Nobody knows what the near future holds for this veteran, but Vietnamese fans hope he will continue to play for a long time, so that the stands still echo with applause every time he wins. The tournament will continue with the main draw starting September 10. Nguyen Tien Minh will step into his first main draw match, where he will face Zhe Ying Wu from Taiwan. Will Nguyen Tien Minh create another miracle? The answer will come in the next few days. But regardless of the outcome, fans will give him the biggest applause, because he is a symbol of Vietnamese badminton. The event is also an opportunity for Vietnam's sports department to look back at youth training. Compared to leading countries, Vietnamese badminton still has a considerable gap. Having only a few local players in a national tournament but competing against more than 300 foreign athletes shows the limited level and depth of the team. For sustainable development, a long-term strategy is needed to discover and train young talents, as well as strengthen facilities and coaching expertise. As the tournament is still ongoing, one can see the efforts of the organizers in ensuring the best possible conditions for the athletes. With packed stands in matches featuring home players, the atmosphere at the stadium is truly passionate. This is an invaluable asset for Vietnamese badminton, as fan support is always a huge source of motivation for athletes to overcome difficulties. Through the story of Nguyen Tien Minh, one can see the undying spirit of sports. Even when no longer at the peak of his career, he still devotes himself to his passion. It is a powerful message about the value of perseverance and endurance. Hopefully, future generations of Vietnamese badminton will follow his example, not only in talent but also in their attitude towards life and dedication. Once again, Nguyen Tien Minh proves that age is just a number. Despite being ranked 254th in the world, despite being 43, he can still compete well on the international stage. The stadium today echoes with non-stop applause, not only for the victory but also for the extraordinary effort of a person who has dedicated over 20 years to badminton. Fans may not see him lift many championship trophies as before, but watching him play is already a gift. The Vietnam Open 2026 promises to have many emotional moments in the coming days. How far can veteran Nguyen Tien Minh go? Can the young players show improvement? All attention will be on Nguyen Du Stadium. And whatever the results, Vietnamese badminton still has its quiet heroes, still has a hero named Nguyen Tien Minh.