At the 33rd SEA Games, wielding her signature weapon - powerful high left-leg kicks, the Thai ethnic female fighter Bac Thi Khiem completely defeated Delo Laila of the Philippines in the women’s under-73kg Taekwondo final. Her 2–0 victory delivered Vietnam’s 17th gold medal at the Games and marked Khiem’s third SEA Games gold in her career.

After the triumph, Khiem shared: “I started practicing Taekwondo at the age of 12. Overcoming homesickness and intense training pressure, this gold medal carries special meaning, as it helped me reclaim the championship after missing out at the 32nd SEA Games.”

Athletics also recorded notable achievements with many outstanding athletes. At the 17th SEA U18 & U20 Athletics Championships 2025 held in Indonesia, athlete Luong Thi Hong Diem delivered powerful, accurate javelin throws to claim a prestigious gold medal. Meanwhile, athlete Deo Thi My demonstrated strong determination by winning a silver medal in the 2,000m steeplechase

These are just three among many ethnic minority athletes from Son La who have competed wholeheartedly for the country, achieving high results at domestic and international tournaments and contributing to the reputation of Vietnamese and Son La sports.

Tran Huy, head of the Physical Training and Sports Division under the provincial Centre for Culture and Sports, said that in 2025, provincial delegations competed in 53 national and international tournaments, winning 66 gold, 61 silver, and 67 bronze medals, including 15 international-level medals. In addition, 22 athletes met National Master standards, and 42 reached National Class I. The achievements exceeded assigned targets for medal counts and national-level rankings.

To reap these “sweet fruits,” the unit has effectively implemented athlete selection and intensive centralised training across three pathways: talent development, youth teams, and provincial teams, and gradually elevated training levels for participation in national and international competitions.

Currently, the division manages 179 youth and provincial athletes training and competing in 12 sports that are Son La’s strengths, including Muay Thai, Pencak Silat, Taekwondo, women’s football, tennis, boxing, kickboxing, badminton, athletics, cycling, traditional martial arts, and weightlifting. Most athletes are from ethnic minority communities. They benefit from preferential care and support policies, enabling peace of mind in daily life, training, competition, and academic study. Facilities for training and competition continue to receive investment, providing the best possible conditions for athletes.

With the new year comes renewed momentum, Son La sports are determined not to stop at medal counts, but to pursue comprehensive modernisation and professionalisation. Through comprehensive investment, coupled with athletes’ perseverance and indomitable competition spirit, the sector is ready for new journeys, thereby igniting aspirations and propelling Son La sports higher and farther than ever before.