Vietnam Taekwondo Federation President Receives 9th degree Black Belt, Aims for SEA Games Success
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Truong Ngoc De, President of the Vietnam taekwondo Federation (VTF), has been awarded a 9th degree black belt by the World Taekwondo academy (Kukkiwon), a rare honor for a leader outside of Korea. This recognition acknowledges his meaningful contributions to the development of Taekwondo in Vietnam and internationally, as the VTF seeks to revitalize its performance on the world stage, particularly with the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
A historic Honor
The awarding of a 9th degree black belt to Truong Ngoc De is a landmark achievement. According to reports, he is the first president of a Taekwondo federation outside of Korea to receive this distinction from Kukkiwon. https://vtfn.org.vn/tin-tuc/chu-tich-truong-ngoc-de-duoc-cuc-han-quoc-trao-bang-dang-den-9/ This highlights his dedication and impact on the sport. He is currently serving his third term as VTF President (2022-2026), having previously led the federation from 2013-2017 and 2017-2021.
A Legacy of Coaching and Development
Beyond his administrative role, Truong Ngoc De has a strong background in coaching. He previously served as the coach of the Vietnam Taekwondo team, nurturing talents like Tran Hieu Ngan, Tran Quang Ha, and Ho Nhat Thong – athletes who became foundational figures in Vietnamese Taekwondo.
His most celebrated achievement as a coach came at the 2000 Sydney olympics, where he guided Tran Hieu Ngan to a silver medal. https://thethao247.vn/truong-ngoc-de-duoc-trao-bang-dang-den-9-cuc-den-d111111.html This remains the only Olympic medal won by a Vietnamese Taekwondo athlete to date.
Addressing Recent Challenges and Future Goals
Vietnamese Taekwondo has faced challenges in recent years, failing to qualify for both the Rio 2016 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Recognizing the need for betterment, Truong Ngoc De has initiated reforms aimed at restoring the nation’s competitive edge.
A key component of these reforms is the collaboration with international experts. Recently, the VTF brought in Iranian coaches to bolster the training of the men’s Taekwondo team. https://vtfn.org.vn/tin-tuc/vtfn-hop-tac-voi-iran-nang-cao-chuyen-mon-cho-doi-tuyen-taekwondo-nam/
Looking ahead, the VTF has set ambitious goals for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, aiming to secure three to four gold medals, with a focus on achieving one to two gold medals in sparring events.
Key Takeaways:
* Truong Ngoc De has been awarded a 9th degree black belt by the Kukkiwon, a first for a Taekwondo federation president outside of Korea.
* He has a long history of service to Vietnamese taekwondo, both as a coach and administrator.
* His coaching led to Vietnam’s first and only Olympic medal in Taekwondo (silver at the 2000 Sydney Olympics).
* The VTF is implementing reforms, including international coaching collaborations, to improve performance and qualify for future Olympic Games.