National Runner-Up Reveals Secrets: 'It's Not Just Technique, It's Emotion'

In the wave of Vietnamese table tennis showing signs of recovery after a generational transition, the story of Nguyen Quang Vinh – a 24-year-old player who just won the runner-up position at the 2026 National Table Tennis Championships – is attracting special attention. Not because of powerful smashes or artistic spins, but because of how he talks about overcoming his own limits. At the Quan Ngua Gymnasium in Hanoi, the dramatic final lasted 7 sets. His opponent was the veteran champion Le Minh Khoa, who had held the title for three consecutive years. In the deciding set, with the score 9-8 in Khoa's favor, Vinh executed a short backspin serve that forced an error. Khoa nodded in recognition but then won the match 11-9. The lesson from that defeat, according to Vinh, is not technical. 'Our techniques are equal. The difference lies in the ability to control emotions in crucial rallies,' Vinh shared. He said that before the tournament, he studied Khoa's playing style thoroughly through videos: 'I watched every movement, every racket angle. But when standing on the court, the pressure from the stands and the tension made those calculations useless without a steely spirit.' Technical analysts note that Vinh's game is based on good physical foundation and resilient defense. He often uses a wide backhand loop to create space for a forehand kill. However, in the final, Khoa exploited Vinh's weakness in returning topspin serves, causing Vinh to lose up to 40% of points on direct return errors. Data shows Vinh's winning percentage in rallies of 5-8 strokes was only 52%, lower than his average 58% in earlier rounds. Tactically, Vinh changed his approach in sets 3 and 4, opting for a faster, less transitional style to avoid long rallies. This helped him level at 2-2 after two losses. But Khoa, with vast experience, adjusted by slowing down his serve speed and increasing sidespin, leaving Vinh unable to adapt. Beyond the personal story, Vinh's performance raises questions about the competitiveness of Vietnam's young table tennis generation. Currently, in the national men's top 10, only two are under 25. Compared to strong table tennis nations like China, Japan, or South Korea, where teenage talents are ready to take over, Vietnam still relies heavily on players over 28. 'We need more investment in youth training, especially in competitive psychology. Technique can be taught, but match temperament needs to be forged through early international exposure,' the national team head coach observed. The competition format this year had a new feature: shortened intervals between sets and increased use of VAR cameras for serve monitoring. This sparked controversy, with some players arguing it disrupts the rhythm. However, Vinh believes change is necessary to align with international standards. 'We can't keep playing the old way. World table tennis is advancing fast; we must catch up,' he added. Technically, Vinh uses a racket with red rubber (Tenergy 05 FX) and black rubber (Dignics 09c). This combination allows him to create tricky low-spin balls but also reduces speed in fast exchanges. He is testing a new rubber with 5% higher grip to improve control from distance. In the final part of the interview, Vinh shared his dream: 'I want one day to stand on the podium at the SEA Games. But first, I have to overcome myself. Every loss is a lesson, and I believe if I persist, success will come.' He also revealed that after the tournament, his coach asked him to focus on return-of-serve training for 30 minutes daily, plus high-intensity physical exercises. Vietnamese table tennis is at a crossroads. With talents like Nguyen Quang Vinh, the hope for a new generation is not unrealistic. But to turn hope into reality, more than individual efforts are needed – it requires synergy from the training system, financial investment, and international exposure opportunities. Vinh's story is just one piece, but it reflects the bigger picture: sports are not only about technique and tactics, but also the battle of will and emotion. When asked about the biggest lesson from the final, Vinh smiled: 'It's when I realized that glory never truly fades – it just shifts into a protective coat. I lost, but I learned to protect my dream better.' (Vietnam Sports News – reporter Kang Ji-hoon, Shenzhen) Keywords: Table tennis, Nguyen Quang Vinh, Le Minh Khoa, 2026 National Table Tennis Championships