After a year filled with achievements and challenges, Vietnam’s top female archer Do Thi Anh Nguyet views every experience as a lesson to push her career further.

From basketball to archery

Born in 2001 in Lac Hong, Van Lam, Hung Yen, Anh Nguyet’s athletic journey began not with archery but with basketball.

In July 2016, she joined the Hanoi women’s basketball team before transitioning to an individual sport better suited to her physique. She considered archery, shooting, and fencing before ultimately choosing archery.

It wasn’t an easy transition - switching from an intense, fast-paced team sport to one requiring immense concentration and precision. However, Anh Nguyet quickly proved her talent.

By 2019, she had won a gold medal at the SEA Games and a bronze medal at the Asian Championships. Two years later, she secured her spot at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, and in 2024, she once again qualified for the Paris Olympics.

Currently ranked Vietnam’s No.1 recurve archer, Anh Nguyet has reached as high as 17th in the world rankings.

Beyond her sporting achievements, she is also known for her relationship with badminton player Le Duc Phat, who went viral on social media after proudly carrying Vietnam’s flag at the Paris 2024 Olympic opening ceremony.

Success and failure as stepping stones

As the Lunar New Year 2025 approaches, Anh Nguyet remains deeply focused on training with the Vietnamese national archery team.

The team gets time off for the holiday, but after Tet, they will undergo a rigorous selection process, finalizing the lineup by mid-March.

Despite her busy schedule, she cherishes her rare moments with family.

“My family is my biggest motivation. Whenever I feel down, they are my support system. This Tet, being home makes me really happy, and of course, I’ve prepared a gift to make my mother smile,” she shared with a bright smile.

Reflecting on the past year, Anh Nguyet said, “Whether it’s victory or failure, every experience has taught me something valuable for the future.”

“When I was younger, I didn’t feel much pressure. But as I started achieving more, I began to feel the weight of expectations. Every day, I have to maintain and surpass my past achievements.”

Meditation and novels to build patience

Archery requires both physical and mental composure, and Anh Nguyet has developed her own methods to stay balanced and improve her focus.

“There are always ups and downs in life. I don’t bring negativity into training - I always aim to stay focused.”

To strengthen her mental resilience, she incorporates meditation, listens to music, and reads books.

“I enjoy reading long novels - it helps me develop patience,” she revealed.

The Vietnamese national archery team faces a busy year ahead, with major international tournaments in April, May, and September. Their ultimate goal is the 33rd SEA Games, set to take place in Thailand in December 2025.

Duy Nguyen