Nguyen Tien Minh, 43, clears Vietnam Open 2026 qualifiers: Experience remains a weapon for Vietnamese badminton

Nguyen Tien Minh, at the age of 43, continued to write a remarkable story at the 2026 Vietnam Open. In the men's singles qualifying round, he defeated his younger opponent Nguyen Hoang Thai Son, a player more accustomed to doubles. Minh, ranked 254th in the world, showed that experience and tactical intelligence can still outweigh youthful speed and power. The tournament, a BWF Super 100 event held from September 8 to 13, has attracted more than 300 athletes from 27 countries and territories. For Vietnamese badminton, this is an opportunity to test the next generation. Minh's victory, however, highlights a deeper concern: while the veteran still competes, many younger players are either injured or struggling. Le Duc Phat, one of Vietnam's men's singles hopes, is suffering from knee and heel injuries and needed pain relief injections. Nguyen Hai Dang has already been eliminated. In the women's singles, Nguyen Thuy Linh faces a tough opener against 19-year-old Xu Wen Jing from China. These results raise questions about the depth and long-term planning of Vietnam's badminton system. Minh's success is a tribute to his resilience and love for the sport. But it is also a reminder that relying on a 43-year-old veteran is not a sustainable strategy. A healthy pipeline of young players, proper medical support, and a well-structured competition schedule are essential for the future. In the next round, Minh will meet Taiwan's Zhe Ying Wu. Regardless of the result, the 2026 Vietnam Open will be remembered as a moment where an old warrior proved that passion can defy age, while the entire system must look ahead to the days when he is no longer on court.