Nguyen Thuy Linh wins women’s singles title at 2026 National Badminton Club Championship

Badminton player Nguyen Thuy Linh of Dong Nai mounted a comeback to defeat veteran Vu Thi Trang of Ho Chi Minh City 2-1, securing the women’s singles title at the 2026 National Badminton Club Championship.

Nguyen Thuy Linh of Dong Nai wins the women’s singles title after mounting a comeback to defeat Vu Thi Trang of Ho Chi Minh City 2-1 in the final. Photo courtesy of Webthethao

On the evening of May 7, the final matches of the championship division at the 2026 National Badminton Club Championship – LI-NING Cup II were held in Thai Nguyen province.

The women’s singles final featured a clash between two of Vietnam’s top female badminton players, No. 1 seed Vu Thi Trang and No. 2 seed Nguyen Thuy Linh.

After losing the first set 14-21 to Vu Thi Trang, Nguyen Thuy Linh staged a strong comeback by winning the second set 21-15 to level the match at 1-1.

In the decisive third set, Nguyen Thuy Linh and Vu Thi Trang remained neck and neck in the early stages before the Dong Nai player edged ahead 11-9. Nguyen Thuy Linh then capitalized on her opponent’s fatigue, scoring a series of points to reach championship point at 20-13. She sealed the set 21-13 after Vu Thi Trang sent the shuttlecock out, completing a comeback victory after three intense sets to claim the women’s singles title at the 2026 tournament.

Nguyen Thuy Linh receives the gold medal in the women’s singles championship division.

In addition to Nguyen Thuy Linh’s title, the Dong Nai badminton team won two bronze medals in the women’s doubles championship division through the pairs of Nguyen Hoang Thien Kim–Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thuy and Dao Khanh Linh–Do Thi Phuong Mai. Both pairs were eliminated in the semifinals after losing to pairs from Hung Yen (Pham Thi Dieu Ly–Pham Thi Khanh and Tran Thi Anh–Dinh Thi Phuong Hong).

The Organizing Committee awards prizes to athletes with outstanding performances in the women’s doubles championship division.

Meanwhile, No. 1 seed Le Duc Phat of the Army defeated the tournament sensation Nguyen Thien Loc of Ho Chi Minh City 2-1 (21-14, 19-21, 21-18) in a dramatic final to claim the men’s singles title at this year’s tournament.

The women’s singles final between Nguyen Thuy Linh (far side) and Vu Thi Trang at the 2026 National Badminton Club Championship.

In the remaining finals, the No. 2-seeded pair Pham Van Hai–Than Van Anh of Bac Ninh defeated the No. 3-seeded pair Pham Van Truong–Bui Bich Phuong of Hanoi 2-0 to win the mixed doubles title. Meanwhile, the No. 1-seeded pair Tran Dinh Manh–Nguyen Dinh Hoang of Lam Dong won the men’s doubles title after defeating Nguyen Hoang Thai Son–Pham Van Hai of Bac Ninh 2-0. In the women’s doubles event, the No. 2-seeded pair Pham Thi Dieu Ly–Pham Thi Khanh of Hung Yen won the title after defeating their teammates Tran Thi Anh–Dinh Thi Phuong Hong in the final.

On May 8, the tournament continued with qualifying matches in the 31–40, 41–45, 46–50, and 51–55 age groups.

The 2026 National Badminton Club Championship is being held from May 4 to May 10, attracting more than 300 athletes and coaches from 30 provinces, cities, and sectors nationwide. The tournament features five age categories, including the championship division for athletes aged 13 and older competing in men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. The 31–40, 41–45, 46–50, and 51–55 age groups compete in men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles events.

By Huy Anh – Translated by Minh Hong, Minho