Asian Games 20: Ngoc Tram and the next generation keep Vietnam's women's kata fire burning

On the afternoon of September 22 (Vietnam time), at the 20th Asian Games in Japan, three young women - Nguyen Ngoc Tram, Bui Ngoc Nhi and Hoang Thi Thu Uyen - climbed to the top podium with the gold medal in the women's team kata event of karate. This is the first gold medal for the Vietnamese sports delegation at this Asian Games. The moment the red flag with a yellow star was raised inside the arena, tears fell on the faces of the young girls. But those were not tears of hardship; they were tears of pride, knowing they had just written another golden page for Vietnamese karate. Three years ago, at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, Nguyen Ngoc Tram and her two teammates Luu Thi Thu Uyen and Nguyen Thi Phuong did the same thing. They won the gold medal in the women's team kata event, marking a historic milestone for Vietnamese karate on the continental stage. That was Vietnam's third gold medal at the 19th Asian Games and closed the delegation's golden tally for that Games. Experts said the achievement was highly encouraging, because the event had only four countries competing: Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia and Brunei. Although the number of opponents was not large, winning the gold still required absolute focus, precise technique and strong fighting spirit under the pressure of a major Games. What matters is that this year, the competition conditions were much harder. The women's team kata event at the 20th Asian Games had eight teams, twice as many as the previous Games. Vietnam had to face strong opponents from Japan, China, South Korea, Malaysia and many other countries with long karate traditions. Yet, with bravery and careful preparation, the trio of Nguyen Ngoc Tram, Bui Ngoc Nhi and Hoang Thi Thu Uyen excelled past everyone. Their performances were synchronized, accurate and powerful, earning high scores from the judges. This victory is even more valuable because it came with a much-changed lineup and tougher rivals. To understand the strength of Vietnam's women's kata team today, we need to look back at the long and proud journey of those who came before. The person most responsible for laying the foundation for Vietnam's women's kata success is coach Nguyen Hoang Ngan, once known as the queen of kata in Vietnamese sports. When she was still competing, Hoang Ngan won a silver medal at the Asian Games and a gold medal at the world championship. She was famous not only for her excellent technique but also for her rare beauty and elegance. In the 2000s, Nguyen Hoang Ngan was an icon of both talent and beauty, a pride of Vietnamese sports. More importantly, after retiring, she did not leave the sport she loved. Hoang Ngan became a coach, devoted to guiding generations of young athletes, passing on not only technique but also a burning passion. Under Hoang Ngan's guidance, the golden generation of Vietnamese women's kata was born. Names like Luu Thi Thu Uyen, Nguyen Thi Phuong and then Nguyen Ngoc Tram grew and shone. They carried the spirit that Hoang Ngan planted in every training session, every movement, every glance when stepping onto the mat. That is the calmness under tremendous pressure. And the fire continued to burn even when the coaching staff of the Vietnamese karate team underwent important changes. In October 2026, coach Nguyen Hoang Ngan officially moved to the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam to take on the role of physical education management specialist. That was a major turning point in the career of someone who had devoted her youth to karate. But before leaving, she had prepared a worthy successor - Do Thi Thu Ha, her close teammate for many years. Thu Ha took over as the head coach of the women's kata team and quickly proved that Hoang Ngan's choice was absolutely right. The bond between Hoang Ngan and Thu Ha was not simply a professional relationship. In 2026, Thu Ha, Hoang Ngan and Nguyen Thi Hang formed a perfect trio, winning the gold medal in the women's team kata event at the Asian Championship. Besides that precious gold, the trio of Ngan - Ha - Hang also achieved many other impressive results on the continental stage, creating a brilliant golden generation still remembered with admiration. That glorious past helped Thu Ha understand what her students are facing and how to give them the confidence and courage they need. When sitting together, the coaches and athletes of Vietnam's women's kata team often share that success does not come from something too grand, but begins with the smallest details. One of the easiest details to notice is the short hair of all Vietnamese female karate athletes. From the coaching generation of Hoang Ngan and Thu Ha, to students like Nguyen Thi Phuong, Luu Thi Thu Uyen, and current young athletes like Ngoc Tram and Ngoc Nhi - all maintain the same hairstyle, neat and full of personality. This is not merely aesthetic preference; it carries deep meaning about unity, team spirit and discipline. Nguyen Ngoc Tram - who won gold at both the 19th and 20th Asian Games - joyfully shared this special detail. She said: Short hair is very convenient for karate practice and competition. Also, the seniors in the team are our idols, and they are dear older sisters; we often share many similarities in life, from hairstyle to beauty. Tram's words show that the relationship between generations in the team is not only teacher-student but also a deep sisterhood. They endure heavy training sessions together, eat together, sleep together, and share joys and sorrows in life. That is why they understand each other down to the smallest gesture, creating perfect harmony in every kata. With that principle, Vietnam's women's kata team has maintained an incredibly stable performance over many years, even over many generations. From 2026 to 2026, despite replacing two-thirds of the athletes and the head coach, every time they step onto the mat, the Vietnamese women's kata girls still feel familiar to fans. From the hairstyle, the manner, to the calm and solid feeling in the spirit of mushin that karate emphasizes - everything seems to be passed down intact from generation to generation. Mushin, or the empty mind, is the mental state a martial artist must achieve to act without being distracted by any thought. That is the secret weapon of the Vietnamese girls on the mat. Looking at the current lineup, it is easy to see that the generational transition is going very smoothly. Compared to 2026, the trio that won gold in Hangzhou - Nguyen Ngoc Tram, Luu Thi Thu Uyen, Nguyen Thi Phuong - now only retains Ngoc Tram. The two new names added are Bui Ngoc Nhi and Hoang Thi Thu Uyen, both young and promising athletes. Hoang Thi Thu Uyen is 20 years old, while Bui Ngoc Nhi is only 19. Two days before the team victory, Ngoc Nhi impressed by winning the bronze medal in the women's individual kata event. The rapid growth of the young girl in such a short time surprised many experts. The combination of Ngoc Tram's experience and the youth of her two juniors created a perfect team capable of beating the strongest opponents in Asia. The journey to the 20th Asian Games gold medal of the Vietnamese kata girls was not smooth. They endured a grueling training process lasting many months, with physical, technical and tactical exercises planned meticulously down to every detail. In the training room, there was no room for carelessness or weakness. Every movement had to be repeated hundreds of times until it became natural reflex. The harmony among the three members had to be honed until they could feel each other's breath in every moment. All those silent efforts were rewarded with a historic moment at the arena in Japan. When the three girls stepped onto the mat in the final, their eyes were absolutely focused. A firm shout rang out in the silent space, opening a perfect kata. Every step, every punch, every kick was executed precisely and powerfully. The synchronization of the three was like a unified block, without a single small mistake. The judges gave the highest scores for the excellent performance, and when the result was announced, the entire Vietnamese sports delegation erupted in joy. They not only won the first gold medal for the delegation at the 20th Asian Games but also affirmed Vietnam's leading position in women's team kata on the continental stage. The victory of Ngoc Tram, Ngoc Nhi and Thu Uyen is not just a joy for themselves or the coaching staff. It is the result of a whole systematic karate training program, inherited and developed through many generations. From the early days when Nguyen Hoang Ngan built the foundation, to the continuation of Do Thi Thu Ha, and the rise of young athletes, all create a beautiful picture of continuous succession and development. The neat short hair maintained by generations of kata queens is not only a distinctive image feature, but also a symbol of perseverance, discipline and pride of Vietnamese women on the path to conquering sporting heights. After this historic gold medal, many people ask whether Vietnamese karate can maintain this impressive achievement at future Asian Games. Looking at the young generation with talents like Bui Ngoc Nhi and Hoang Thi Thu Uyen, fans can be completely reassured. They have technique, youth, discipline and, most importantly, they have teachers and older sisters who are always ready to guide them. The glorious tradition of Vietnamese women's kata will surely continue and grow stronger in the future. These young girls today are the kata queens of tomorrow, continuing to bring glory to the country and writing more brilliant golden pages in the history of Vietnamese sports. When the stage lights dim and the applause fades, the Vietnamese women's kata girls return to their familiar quiet training sessions. They know that glory is just a moment, and the path ahead is still long and full of challenges. But with the glorious tradition, the dedicated guidance of coaches, and the burning passion in their hearts, nothing can stop them from conquering new heights. September 22 will forever be a memorable day, not only for Ngoc Tram, Ngoc Nhi and Thu Uyen but also for all Vietnamese sports lovers. They have proven that with willpower, unity and passion, Vietnamese people can stand on the highest podium of Asian sports.