43-year-old veteran still burning with badminton – Nguyen Tien Minh advances to Vietnam Open 2026 main draw

On the evening of September 8, 2026, at Nguyen Du Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's living badminton legend Nguyen Tien Minh had an important victory right at the qualifying round of Vietnam Open 2026 (Super 100) against his junior Nguyen Hoang Thai Son, thereby winning a place in the main draw. At the age of 43, he still diligently competes at the highest level, making fans admire an admirable sporting spirit. Information from the organizing committee said the match was tight as expected. Nguyen Hoang Thai Son is a young player specializing in doubles, with advantages in physical strength and speed. However, having to compete in singles was a significant obstacle for this player. Meanwhile, Nguyen Tien Minh, although no longer at his peak, still showed the cleverness of a master in men's singles, always knowing how to adjust the pace and exploit the opponent's weaknesses. Speaking after the match, Nguyen Tien Minh said: "I knew the opponent was not strong in singles but had speed and power. Therefore, I chose to control the match with smart shots, limiting his chances to attack. Age does not allow me to compete in stamina, so I need to use experience and reasonable tactics." Ranked 254th in the world, at the age of 43, Nguyen Tien Minh still competes like a young man. Passing the qualifiers is great news for fans, but his journey in the tournament will be more challenging. Minh's next opponent is Zhe Ying Wu from Taipei - China, a young, modern player with a higher ranking. However, with his bravery and experience, fans can expect a surprise. This is not the first time Nguyen Tien Minh has created a miracle at his twilight age. Once ranked 5th in the world in 2026, he is one of Asia's most admirable players. Not long ago, at an international tournament in the US, Minh reached the semifinals, proving his form and competitiveness. His story is an endless inspiration for the younger generation, as he always shows dedication and desire to contribute. Vietnam Open 2026 is taking place from September 8 to 13 in Ho Chi Minh City, attracting more than 300 players from 27 countries and territories. As a BWF Super 100 event, the tournament plays an important role in helping players accumulate ranking points and providing young athletes with competitive experience. Vietnam hosting this annual tournament creates a quality playground, but also shows the position of the national badminton in the region. Along with Nguyen Tien Minh, many other Vietnamese players also entered the fray, but not all were lucky. The country's top men's singles hope, Le Duc Phat, struggled with knee and heel injuries. According to medical team sources, Phat had to inject painkillers to compete, which significantly affected his performance. The sight of his wife in the stands was a great morale boost, but injuries remain a major threat. Not only Le Duc Phat, another promising young player, Nguyen Hai Dang, also stopped at the first round. This result shows that the gap between Vietnamese young badminton and the region remains quite large, and more tournaments like Vietnam Open are needed to narrow it. However, defeat is also a valuable lesson for long-term development. On the other side, with stable form and experience, Nguyen Thuy Linh - Vietnam's favorite female player - is showing confidence. In the first round, she will face young player Xu Wen Jing, who is young but considered difficult. Nguyen Thuy Linh is seeded, and will certainly have a specific plan to overcome the challenge and advance deep. In the hearts of fans, Nguyen Tien Minh is not only a talented player but also the embodiment of perseverance. Watching him compete in the recent match, many could not help but tear up when seeing the veteran still running around the court with incredible saves. Although no longer explosive as in his prime, he exudes a calmness that is scary. "I still have passion, I still want to contribute to the home audience. At this age, I understand that I need to choose tournaments wisely to maintain fitness and avoid injuries. Competing in BWF tournaments is a way for me to live with my passion," Nguyen Tien Minh shared. Experts believe that Nguyen Tien Minh's victory was not unexpected, because the difference in class and experience between him and a doubles specialist like Nguyen Hoang Thai Son is clear. However, the fact that a 43-year-old athlete still plays well at an international tournament is a positive sign of his physical foundation and spirit. It can be seen that in the context of Vietnamese badminton lacking a strong generational transition, the role of veterans like Nguyen Tien Minh becomes even more important. He not only directly competes but also serves as a pillar of spirit and a role model for younger players. His presence at professional tournaments like Vietnam Open proves that if one has enough passion, age is just a number. In the history of Vietnam Open editions, no Vietnamese male player has ever won the singles title. Nguyen Tien Minh has reached the semifinals many times but has never gone further. This year, following his qualification, fans and the media are questioning whether he can create a miracle on home soil. However, Nguyen Tien Minh remains modest: "I just want to play my best matches. Everything will come naturally." Professionally, the win over Nguyen Hoang Thai Son gave Nguyen Tien Minh another match to sharpen his skills and boost his confidence. Though he knows opponents will be tougher in later rounds, he always prepares mentally. "In qualifying rounds, players often are not in top form, so I don't put too much pressure on myself. The important thing is to stay calm." - Minh added. The stands at Nguyen Du Stadium on the opening day were packed, mostly Vietnamese fans cheering for the home players. The passionate but fair-play atmosphere created a memorable ambiance. This enthusiastic support is a great motivation for Vietnamese representatives, especially young players, to perform better. As the country's sports aim for major international arenas, maintaining the form of athletes like Nguyen Tien Minh is invaluable. They are the ones who inspire the movement and are examples of dedication. Whatever the final result at Vietnam Open 2026, Nguyen Tien Minh's presence on the court is already a victory. The next matches of the tournament will continue in the coming days. Nguyen Tien Minh is expected to play in the first round on September 9 or 10. Vietnamese badminton fans will follow his every step with hope for a dream named Vietnam Open.