Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat cannot enter the World Games final: The gold dream does not come true

Age cannot "save" the high competition density

After defeating home teammate Yang Yuxi in the World Games Muay Thai 57kg quarter-finals, Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat entered the semi-finals against Ukrainian fighter Shelesko Dmytro, who is 14 years younger than him. Normally, if he only fought once, even though he was older and physically weaker, his battle experience still gave Duy Nhat enough ability to control his opponent.

PHOTO: BAO LONG

At 36 years old, Duy Nhat is no longer as energetic as he was a few years ago. Duy Nhat himself said that after the first match, his whole body ached and his legs were sore after using many technical moves to defeat the Chinese fighter. Less than 24 hours was not enough time for him to recover as quickly as before.

Can't turn the situation around at the last minute

Coach Giap Trung Thang said: "We also anticipated difficulties for Duy Nhat after going through a very exhausting first match. On the other hand, the Ukrainian boxer was almost a hand's breadth taller than Duy Nhat, so our boxer was at a disadvantage when he could not use the knee-pulling technique. At the beginning of the first round, Duy Nhat fought very well, with good footwork, hitting both sides well with punches and kicks to both sides, making his opponent a bit confused, so he won on points.

PHOTO: BAO LONG

However, in the second round, the boxer from Europe changed his tactics to close combat, continuously using his strength to push Duy Nhat into defense, causing Nhat to lose points. In the decisive third round, the opponent continued to attack, while Duy Nhat showed signs of fatigue, his punches lacked speed. Facing a younger, stronger, and more physically fit opponent, Duy Nhat could not turn the situation around. In the last minute of the third round, Duy Nhat, in a situation where he had nothing to lose, fought back very well, forcing his opponent into a passive position, seemingly able to turn the situation around. But in the end, he still had to lose points. In the end, Duy Nhat lost 28-29, a regrettable stop.

PHOTO: Organizing Committee

Thus, Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat's dream of defending the gold medal won at the World Games 3 years ago in the US has ended. Once again, his will and determination only helped Duy Nhat make a mark, but could not help him conquer the highest peak at the age of 36. Because once his physical strength was on the other side of the slope of his career, combined with having to fight with all his might, his age did not allow him to go all the way.

PHOTO: BAO LONG

Duy Nhat's opponent in the bronze medal match on August 10 is another European boxer from France, Rolland Daren Louis Jose, who lost to the Israeli boxer in the other semi-final. Coach Giap Trung Thang assessed: "This will be a big challenge for Duy Nhat when he meets a tall opponent with a long arm span and an annoying fighting style. Of course it will be very difficult, but not without hope. Now is the time for Duy Nhat to recover best to be ready for this final match. Hopefully we will end the World Games with a medal to bring back to the country."