Army athlete Nguyễn Thị Ngoan defeated Hà Tĩnh's Trần Thị Quỳnh Anh in the women's over-68 kg karate final on November 7 to win gold at the 2026 National Sports Games. It was her return to the top of the podium after nearly 10 months away from competition because of injury, Sài Gòn Giải Phóng reported.
Ngoan said the medal was an emotional one. She told the newspaper that she had focused on recovery and technical preparation and followed the coaching staff's tactics. She also won a National Games title in 2022.
A return after injury
Sài Gòn Giải Phóng reported that Ngoan tore a ligament while preparing for the 2025 SEA Games and subsequently underwent surgery. The newspaper described her return as involving treatment, fitness work and a gradual reintroduction to sport-specific training.
Ngoan said she reminded herself to stay focused through the difficulties. She told the newspaper that a relaxed mindset and encouragement from coaches, teammates and particularly her younger sister Nguyễn Thị Diệu Ly had helped her feel less pressure over results.
The final against Quỳnh Anh gave the Army delegation gold in the women's over-68 kg category.
Gold for both sisters
Diệu Ly also won women's 61 kg gold at this year's Games. The sports authority reported that she defeated Hồ Thị Hạ of Huế in the final for her first individual National Sports Games gold.
Sài Gòn Giải Phóng said Diệu Ly previously took women's 68 kg bronze at the Asian Games in Aichi–Nagoya and was Vietnam karate's only kumite medallist at that event. The sports authority also noted her 2022 world junior karate title.
Both sisters therefore added individual gold medals to the Army delegation's tally at the 2026 Games.