Vietnam's historic Teqball bronze at ASIAD 20: Minh Tan and Gia Nghi write a new chapter

On the morning of September 20, 2026, at the Teqball venue of the ASIAD 20 sports complex, silence lasted for exactly two seconds after the ball touched the curved table. Nguyen Hoang Minh Tan and Trinh Gia Nghi looked at each other, then burst into tears. They had just defeated Indian pair Dsouza Quimcy Joaquim and Beg Mohamed Anas Imran 2-0 in the mixed doubles bronze medal match. It was Vietnam's first medal at ASIAD 20, and also the first Teqball medal in the nation's history at an Asian Games. Teqball, a sport combining football and table tennis, is played on a distinctive curved table. Athletes are not allowed to use their hands, only their feet, head, chest and shoulders to control the ball. Every rally requires extremely precise control, lightning-fast reflexes and seamless coordination with teammates. In the bronze medal match, Minh Tan and Gia Nghi displayed coordination down to the smallest detail. They moved the ball with soft touches, building rhythm that constantly forced the Indian pair to chase the ball's movement. The 2-0 scoreline did not fully reflect the tension, but it showed the composure of the Vietnamese pair at decisive moments. Significantly, Teqball was only included in the ASIAD programme for the first time at ASIAD 20. For Vietnam, the sport remains relatively new, without a formal training system like football or volleyball. Yet Minh Tan and Gia Nghi turned novelty into an advantage. They arrived at the Games with the mindset of opportunity-seekers, unburdened by medal expectations. That freedom helped them play intelligently, knowing when to attack fiercely and when to slow down. In doubles, chemistry between two players matters more than any individual technique, and the Vietnamese pair achieved almost perfect connection. Shortly after the historic bronze, Vietnam's Teqball team almost secured another medal when Ba Truong Giang and Le Anh Khoa competed in the men's doubles bronze medal match. However, they lost to the Iraqi pair. Despite missing out, Vietnam's Teqball performance at ASIAD 20 remains a clear sign of progress for this young sport. Having two pairs reach bronze medal matches in the first ASIAD where Teqball was held is a success far beyond expectation. Also on the morning of September 20, Vietnam added more good news in karate. Bui Ngoc Nhi impressively won a bronze medal in the women's individual kata event. Her journey was not easy. In the opening match, she lost to Japan's Ono Maho 0-5. That defeat could have demoralized many athletes, but Ngoc Nhi showed the character of a martial artist who had achieved success at SEA Games 33. She quickly recovered, beating South Korea's Choi Haeun 5-0 and Singapore's Leong Wai Yee Shannon 4-1. Those convincing victories earned her a well-deserved bronze and reinforced her standing on the continental stage. Notably, Bui Ngoc Nhi still has a chance to win more medals at ASIAD 20. She will join her teammates in the women's team kata quarter-final against Nepal on September 22. If she maintains her current form, another medal is entirely possible. Kata demands absolute precision in every movement, and the confidence gained from this bronze will be a major boost. As of midday September 20, China had moved to the top of the ASIAD 20 medal table with two golds, four silvers and one bronze. China's Lin Xinyu won the country's first gold at these Games in the women's triathlon. Hosts Japan ranked second with two golds and three bronzes. Macao, South Korea and Kazakhstan each secured one gold, sitting third, fourth and fifth respectively. Vietnam currently ranks ninth with two bronze medals. Looking at Vietnam's achievements on September 20, these medals came from quiet effort. Nobody talks about miracles or luck. Minh Tan and Gia Nghi trained together for months, spending hours each day perfecting curved passes on the Teqball table. They did not have the modern facilities of Asia's top teams, but they had persistence and the ability to adapt quickly. Bui Ngoc Nhi turned her opening defeat into a lesson and stood up again. This shows that Vietnamese sport is not only developing in traditional events, but also seizing opportunities in new disciplines. One notable reflection is that Teqball made its ASIAD debut and Vietnam immediately won a medal. This raises the question of how we invest in new sports. Could there be other sports that are underappreciated yet capable of producing medals? Teqball's experience shows that quickly grasping international trends, studying rules and building young squads can create surprises. Long history is not necessary; proper investment and belief in young athletes are what matter. With major teams competing fiercely at ASIAD 20, Vietnam's bronze medals carry considerable value. They are not just medal table points; they prove Vietnamese sport is improving every day. Teqball may not yet be popular in Vietnam, but the image of Minh Tan and Gia Nghi embracing after the match against India will inspire many young people to explore this fascinating sport. The Games are still long, and Vietnam's chances of winning more medals remain wide open. Bui Ngoc Nhi and her teammates will play Nepal in the women's team kata quarter-final on September 22. Other Teqball athletes have not necessarily finished yet. The positive signals from September 20 show that Vietnam did not come to ASIAD 20 just to participate. We are witnessing a generation of athletes who dare to think differently, play differently, and face challenges never seen before. After the final whistle of the bronze medal match, the Vietnamese supporters remained standing. They sang familiar songs, not to celebrate a gold medal but to honour a victory of persistence. People remember the shot; I remember how the crowd breathed. And on this historic morning, all of Vietnam held its breath with Minh Tan and Gia Nghi before erupting in joy.