DLR - The Gold Medal at the 2026 Kickboxing World Cup held in Bangkok, Thailand, is far more than a glittering milestone in the sporting journey of Tran Minh Hau — a third-year Physical Education student at Quy Nhon University (Cohort 46). It stands as a powerful testament to the determination, resilience, and boundless ambition of QNU's student generation to compete and excel on the world stage.
Tran Minh Hau claimed the Gold Medal at the 2026 Kickboxing World Cup.
Born in 2003 and hailing from An Nhon, Binh Dinh, Tran Minh Hau is currently a third-year student in the Faculty of Physical Education. At the 2026 Kickboxing World Cup, he delivered an outstanding performance, defeating a succession of top-ranked competitors to claim the Gold Medal in the men's 71kg low kick category — a weight division that demands a complete combination of technical mastery, physical conditioning, and competitive composure.
Eight Years of Unwavering Dedication on the Road to the Summit
Behind that prestigious medal lies a journey of eight years of persistent dedication. Minh Hau's path to martial arts began with athletics at the 2018 Phu Dong Youth Sports Festival, where his exceptional physical attributes caught the eye of talent scouts who guided him toward kickboxing. From that turning point, he grew steadily through every level of competition — from school-based programmes and grassroots clubs to provincial and national squads, and ultimately onto the international stage.
Minh Hau was one of seven athletes representing Binh Dinh province at the competition, contributing to the delegation's total haul of 11 medals — 4 Gold, 5 Silver, and 2 Bronze.
Minh Hau's impressive track record is the fruit of relentless training and unwavering commitment: a Gold Medal at the National Kickboxing Cup (2021), a Silver Medal at the Asian Championship (2022), a national Gold Medal and a Silver Medal at the 32nd SEA Games (2023), along with numerous other notable achievements throughout 2024 and 2025. These hard-earned honors provided him with a solid foundation of confidence as he stepped onto the World Cup stage — an arena that brings together the finest kickboxers on the planet.
At the tournament in Thailand, the greatest challenge facing Minh Hau came not only from his opponents but also from the immense psychological pressure of high-stakes moments. The final was a true battle of nerves — glory decided second by second across three breathless rounds. Rising above the pressure, and guided by his coaching team's tactical direction, Hau maintained his composure and fighting spirit to secure a convincing victory. The moment the Vietnamese flag was raised on the podium was also the moment the image of a QNU student was firmly etched onto the international sporting map.
The Portrait of a Resilient QNU Student
More than an exceptional athlete, Tran Minh Hau is a student who has mastered the art of balancing academic life with personal passion. Sustaining an intensive training regime while keeping pace with his studies has been no small feat. Yet with the support and accommodation offered by the university, together with the encouragement of his lecturers and fellow students, Hau has navigated these challenges and emerged a stronger, more complete individual. Drawing on his own experience, Minh Hau shares an inspiring outlook on life: both academic knowledge and personal passion hold real and lasting value; learning to balance the two is what enables a person to grow with confidence and unlock greater opportunities for the future.
Tran Minh Hau's achievements are not only a source of personal pride — they also help project the dynamic, resilient image of Quy Nhon University's student community to a wider audience. The university and the Faculty of Physical Education have consistently shown their commitment to student athletes through timely recognition, commendation, and practical support, enabling students to participate in training camps and competitions at both provincial and national levels. As a result, student athletes can pursue their passion with peace of mind, develop their full potential, strive for greater achievements, and make meaningful contributions to sport at the local and national level.
Tran Minh Hau's journey does not end with a Gold Medal at the 2026 Kickboxing World Cup — it is, above all, a story of perseverance, inner strength, and an unyielding spirit that refuses to stop at any boundary. From the lecture hall to the international arena, Minh Hau is helping to carry forward the image of a QNU student who is dynamic, globally confident, and ready to leave Vietnam's mark on the world map of sport.
Minh Hien
Vo Thien An