Athlete Bac Thi Khiem won the gold medal in Taekwondo at the 33rd SEA Games. (Photo provided by the athlete).

At the 33rd SEA Games, using her signature powerful high left-leg kicks, Thai Son La female taekwondo fighter Bac Thi Khiem completely overwhelmed her opponent Delo Laila (Philippines) in the women's under 73 kg final. With a 2-0 victory, she won the 17th gold medal for the Vietnamese sports delegation and the 3rd SEA Games gold medal of Khiem's ​​career.

Athlete Hoang Thi Thu Huyen won the gold medal in the 44 kg category. (Photo provided by the athlete)

After his victory, Khiem emotionally said: "I've been practicing Taekwondo since I was 12 years old. Overcoming the longing for my family and the intense training pressure, this gold medal has a special meaning, helping me reclaim the championship title after missing out at the SEA Games 32."

Athletics also saw achievements with many outstanding athletes. At the 2025 Southeast Asian Youth Athletics Championships for the U18-U20 age group, held in Indonesia, athlete Luong Thi Hong Diem showcased her excellent performance with powerful and accurate javelin throws, winning a prestigious gold medal. Alongside her, athlete Deo Thi My also demonstrated high determination by winning a silver medal in the 2,000m steeplechase.

Pencak Silat athletes warm up before a training session.

These are three of the many ethnic minority athletes in Son La who have competed wholeheartedly for their homeland, achieving high results in domestic and international competitions, contributing to the glory of national sports and Son La sports.

Training session of the Pencak Silat national team athletes.

Mr. Tran Huy, Head of the Physical Education and Sports Department of the Provincial Culture and Sports Center, said: In 2025, the province's athletes will participate in 53 national and international competitions, winning 66 gold medals, 61 silver medals, and 67 bronze medals, including 15 international medals; 22 athletes will achieve National Master status, and 42 athletes will achieve National Level I status. This will exceed the assigned targets for the number of medals and national-level achievements.

A match of the Son La Women's Football Team at the National 7-a-side Women's Football Championship. Photo: PV.

To achieve these successes, the unit effectively selects athletes and provides intensive, focused training across three levels: talent development, youth development, and provincial-level training. This gradually elevates the training level, enabling participation in national and international competitions.

Currently, the Department of Physical Education and Sports, under the Provincial Cultural and Sports Center, has 179 youth and provincial-level athletes training and competing in 12 of Son La's strongest sports disciplines: Muay Thai, Pencak Silat, Taekwondo, women's football, tennis, boxing, kickboxing, badminton, athletics, cycling, traditional martial arts, and weightlifting. The majority of the athletes are children of ethnic minority groups in the province. The athletes receive preferential care and support, allowing them to focus on training, competing, achieving good results, and pursuing their education. Facilities for training and competition are consistently invested in, creating the best possible conditions for the athletes.

The Son La women's football team participates in the National Women's 7-a-side Football Championship. Photo: PV.

With a new year and renewed enthusiasm, Son La's sports sector is determined not to stop at the number of medals, but to aim for comprehensive modernization and professionalization. Through systematic investment, coupled with the perseverance and unwavering fighting spirit of its athletes, Son La's sports sector is ready for new journeys, igniting aspirations and propelling Son La's sports to even greater heights and further achievements.

Thai oven