Crossroads of passion

“If I didn't pursue karate, I would definitely be a third-year veterinary student. I love animals and becoming a veterinarian has been my childhood dream.” That is the share of karate fighter Nguyen Chi Thanh, who has won the gold medal of the U21 age group in under-67kg Kumite category at the 2023 Southeast Asian Karate Championships.

Nguyen Chi Thanh (left) is the new hope of Binh Duong and Vietnamese karate.

After the first gold medal at an international tournament, Nguyen Chi Thanh of the Binh Duong Karate Team still had his joy and happiness intact. It was also the common joy of his family in Tam Lap commune, Phu Giao district. Chi Thanh's parents, who were always supported, and encouraged their boy, born in 2002, to live with a passion for martial arts.

According to Nguyen Van Toan, father of boxer Nguyen Chi Thanh, during 12 school years, Nguyen Chi Thanh always achieved excellent results. However, realizing that his son has a passion for martial arts since grade 4, Toan and his wife, Nguyen Thi Chien, have supported the son’s dream. The couple did not expect that their little son is now the star of the Binh Duong Karate Team and brings glory to Vietnamese karate at international playgrounds.

As a professional athlete, all year-round practice and competition away from home. After returning from the Philippines with the first gold medal in his career, Chi Thanh immediately returned to his home to see his parents. As being asked if you weren't in martial arts, what are you doing now? Thanh said: “If I didn't pursue karate right now, I would definitely be a thrid-year veterinary student. I love animals and becoming a veterinarian has been my childhood dream.”

Everyone has their own dream, but sometimes life has a crossroads and change our passion. Nguyen Chi Thanh himself also feels lucky and happy to now live with his childhood passion. “My goal now is to win medals at domestic tournaments in 2023. As for my long-term goal, I want to complete my university program.”

Some facts about Nguyen Chi Thanh

Date of birth: June 18, 2002

Hometown: Tam Lap commune, Phu Giao district, Binh Duong.

Height: 1m87 - Weight: 66kg.

•  Achievements at the Southeast Asian Championships:

- Bronze medal of the 2017 tournament in Indonesia.

- Bronze medal of the 2018 tournament in Vietnam.

- Gold medal of the 2023 tournament in the Philippines.

• Achievements at national tournaments:

- In 2017: Youth gold medal in Hue, National Cup gold medal in Dak Lak.

- In 2018: Young gold medal in Da Nang, individual gold medal and team bronze medal of National Cup in Gia Lai.

- In 2019: Individual silver medal, team gold medal at the youth championship in Da Lat; National Cup gold medal in Dak Lak.

- In 2020: Silver medal at the youth championship in Bac Ninh; National Cup bronze medal in Hue. - In 2021: National Cup bronze medal in Thanh Hoa.

- In 2022: Youth individual - team silver medals in Quang Nam; National Cup bronze medal  in Phu Yen; bronze medal at National Sports Festival in Ninh Binh; Southern individual - team gold medals in Tra Vinh.

Reported by Thai Hai – Translated by Ngoc Huynh