Vietnam targets Olympic taekwondo return after years of decline

At a workshop in Ho Chi Minh City, federation officials, domestic and foreign coaches, and sponsors, including South Korea's CJ Group, discussed plans to modernize training, increase international exposure, and unify national teams.

Vietnam's best Olympic result in taekwondo came in 2000 with Tran Hieu Ngan's silver medal in Sydney. 

The country has since qualified fewer athletes for successive Games, sending only one to Tokyo 2021 and failing to qualify any for Rio 2016 and Paris 2024.

Nguyen Thanh Huy, VTF vice president and general secretary, said the country remains a regional contender in Southeast Asia but has been unable to surpass Thailand or win medals at the Asian Games or Olympics since 2000.

"The gap is not only in medal counts but also in technical speed, frequency of international competition, and access to sports science," said Huy. 

"This workshop aims to assess the situation and identify breakthrough solutions."

The federation has set concrete targets for 2025–28: win at least three gold medals at the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand later this year, secure at least one silver medal at the 2026 Asian Games, and place one athlete in the top eight at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

South Korean coach Kim Gil Tae, who advises Vietnam's women's taekwondo sparring team, said the country must shift to data-driven training methods, such as real-time performance analysis, video reviews, and digital tracking of metrics like kick accuracy and reaction speed.

"Other countries adopted these systems years ago," he said.

"Vietnam cannot afford to fall further behind."

Iranian coach Erfan Heydarl, who trains the men's squad, emphasized the importance of competing internationally.

"Exposure to global tournaments is essential for developing confidence and tactical maturity," he said.

Officials also cited physical disadvantages and fragmented training.

Former national coach Nguyen Dang Khanh noted that Vietnam's athletes are typically shorter than international rivals, which affects scoring under current Olympic rules that favor taller competitors.

He added that training camps should be consolidated to maximize coaching expertise and team cohesion.

VTF president Truong Ngoc De said the federation plans to reunify the national teams, expand international tournament participation, and revive high-level events in Vietnam.

Long-term overseas training programs in South Korea, Iran, and France are also under consideration.

"Our aim is not just qualification," De said.

"We want to build a foundation for sustainable Olympic success beyond 2030."