* Hello, sir! Congratulations on your impressive return with the national team! After two years, coming back to Thailand as the head coach of the national team, how do you assess the scale of the tournament?
- The 2026 Kickboxing World Cup in Thailand brought together nearly 1,000 athletes from more than 30 countries and territories. Most teams fielded their strongest fighters as part of preparations for major competitions, making the level of competition extremely high. Notably, athletes from Uzbekistan, Italy, Russia, several West Asian nations and host Thailand stood out.
* On this trip, you selected two young athletes from the Bình Định Traditional Martial Arts Center, Tạ Thanh Hậu and Nguyễn Đình Nhật, to participate…
- At the time of the World Cup, some of our key athletes were competing at the National Kickboxing Championship for Strong Teams. Selecting these two young fighters was a deliberate decision.
After closely monitoring their development and assessing the squad balance, we saw strong potential in both athletes. Giving them their first exposure to international competition was important for gaining experience.
This is also part of a broader strategy to develop a new generation of fighters and ensure continuity during the team’s transition phase.
* Looking back at the end of 2024, Gia Lai kickboxing came away empty-handed at the World Championship in Dubai. How do you view the results this time?
- The disappointing outcome in Dubai stemmed from several factors, particularly limitations in mentality and technical readiness. It was a valuable lesson that prompted adjustments in our approach.
Ahead of this tournament, I repeatedly reminded the athletes that determination is key to overcoming difficulties. The coaching staff placed strong emphasis on psychological preparation, fostering motivation during training and maintaining discipline to ensure focus.
The results in Thailand have provided a major boost, reinforcing the belief that success is achievable with sufficient determination.
* After the tournament, how do you assess the level of Vietnamese and Gia Lai kickboxing compared to the international field, and what are your development directions for the future?
- Finishing third overall reflects clear progress in the technical level of Vietnamese kickboxing. Our fighters’ strength lies in their mindset: they remain composed in victory and resilient in defeat.
Despite limited resources, they have relied on hard work and passion to overcome challenges. These results are the product of individual determination combined with strict adherence to tactics and coaching guidance.
Building a team capable of competing consistently at national and international levels is a long-term process. Fighters need more opportunities to take part in intensive training camps and face strong domestic and international opponents to gain experience and refine their skills.
* Could you share more about your plans and expectations for the team in the near future?
- In the coming period, the coaching staff will continue to sharpen technical skills while placing greater focus on improving physical conditioning.
Our priority is thorough preparation for upcoming major events, including the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Saudi Arabia and the Asian Championship, which is expected to be held in Vietnam.
Coach Trần Đình Đô (born 1977, from Tuy Phước Đông commune) is regarded as one of Gia Lai’s most accomplished kickboxing coaches on the international stage.
He has accompanied the Vietnamese national kickboxing team at three SEA Games. At the 30th and 31st SEA Games, he was a member in charge of technical affairs within the coaching staff. At the 32nd SEA Games, he was entrusted as head coach of the Vietnamese national kickboxing team, leading the team to win 4 gold, 4 silver, and 7 bronze medals.
In addition, Coach Trần Đình Đô has participated in the Asian Kickboxing Championship, directly coaching athletes to win 2 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze medals in 2022, followed by 11 gold, 11 silver, and 11 bronze medals in 2024.
Most recently, at the 2026 Kickboxing World Cup in Thailand, he was in charge of 9 national team athletes from the southern region, securing a total of 3 gold, 5 silver, and 6 bronze medals, contributing to Vietnam’s third-place overall finish.
