Hoa Binh’s pole pushing team win eight medals at the 19th National Pole Pushing Championship in 2025.

Contributions to province’s sports ranking

At the 19th National Pole Pushing Championship 2025, held in Dien Bien province with over 250 athletes from 21 cities and provinces, Hoa Binh’s team claimed a total of eight medals.

Young talent Bui Van Thinh triumphed in the men's 85kg category, earning the team’s only gold medal at the event. Other medal-winners included Bui Van Nam, Nguyen Van Bac, Bui Van Hiep, Bui Trung Kien, Sa Anh Tuan, Dinh Van Bay, and Dang Trung Hieu.

Born in Ngo Luong commune, Tan Lac district, in 1998, Thinh discovered a passion for traditional sports at the age of 10. Now training at the Hoa Binh School for the Gifted, Training and Competition, 2025 has marked a breakthrough year for the young athlete. In addition to his pushing stick victory, he also helped the province’s tug of war team earn three medals at the 13th National Tug of War Championship 2025. Thinh attributed his success to persistence, hard training, and the dedicated guidance of his coaches.

"I always strive to complete every training session to the best of my ability and continuously improve my skills,” he said. "As an athlete, I must push myself harder to live up to the expectations of my coaches, teachers, family, and teammates. I want to use my talent and youth to bring pride to my hometown.”

The tug of war championship, held immediately after the pushing stick event, was another showcase for Hoa Binh's athletes. The team, consisting of both trained students and grassroots sports enthusiasts, earned one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal. Notably, three of the medal-winners - Dinh Van Bay, Dinh Van Ban, and Bui Van Nam - come from rural areas and are active in community-level physical activities. Despite their modest backgrounds as farmers, they have competed at multiple national and provincial events, embodying the spirit of unity and commitment that defines local sports in Hoa Binh.

"No matter our age, job, or personality, we all share one goal: to bring glory to our province,” said Bay.

Ambitions to rise

The 10th National Sports Games, set for 2026, will be a milestone for Hoa Binh's sports sector as it aims to enhance sustainable development in both grassroots and elite sport. Ahead of this major event, the province is organising its 8th Local Sports Festival to scout for top talents, improve organisational expertise, and train officials and referees.

At the 9th National Sports Games in 2022, Hoa Binh competed in 7 out of 43 disciplines and secured four golds, four silvers, and two bronzes, ranking 42nd out of 65 delegations nationwide, and 5th among 19 mountainous provinces. These results provide a foundation for greater achievements at the upcoming 2026 games.