Vietnamese badminton player Nguyen Thuy Linh surged to a new career high, climbing to 21st in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings yesterday, January 20, 2026. The jump follows a decisive victory over former world champion Pusarla Sindhu of India at the recently concluded India Open.
Tennis player Nguyen Thuy Linh
Linh Eyes Olympic Qualification
Nguyen Thuy Linh is aiming to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics through consistent performance in international tournaments.
Linh’s momentum continues as she prepares for her first-round match at the Indonesia Masters today against Lin Hsiang-ti of Taiwan, currently ranked 20th in the world. The player from Dong Nai province is determined to advance in the tournament. With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics firmly in her sights, Linh plans to compete in approximately 15 international tournaments throughout 2026 to accumulate ranking points. The 28-year-old has previously reached a career-best ranking of 17th and remains Vietnam’s leading hope in badminton.
Opportunities for Vu Ha Minh Duc
In an effort to elevate the level of men’s tennis in Vietnam, the Vietnam Tennis Federation (VTF) will host four ATP Challenger 50 Series professional tennis tournaments in Phan Thiet between January and June 2026.
The hosting agreement secured wild cards for Vietnamese players, allowing 23-year-old Vu Ha Minh Duc to make his debut in the ATP Challenger 50 series yesterday. Despite a challenging first-round match against Arthur Weber of France (ATP world ranking 436), which Duc lost 0-2 (0-6, 0-6), the experience of competing against professional players is expected to accelerate his development. In addition to the Challenger series, Vietnam will also host four Men’s World Tennis Tour (WTT) tournaments under the International Tennis Federation (ITF), providing further opportunities for Duc and other Vietnamese players to gain experience and ranking points.
Thanh Thúy Shines in Japan
Vietnam Women’s National Volleyball Team captain Tran Thi Thanh Thuy is currently competing in the Japan Volleyball League with the Gunma Green Wings, seeking to hone her skills at the professional level.
Thanh Thúy has secured a regular position with the Gunma Green Wings, contributing significantly as a key point scorer. Her strong performance in Japan is intended to keep her in top form as she prepares to represent the Vietnamese national team at the 20th Asian Games (ASIAD 20) in Japan this September.
- Nguyen Thuy Linh rose to 21st in the BWF world rankings after a win over Pusarla Sindhu.
- Vu Ha Minh Duc gained valuable experience competing in the ATP Challenger 50 series.
- Tran Thi Thanh Thuy is excelling in the Japan Volleyball League.
