Vietnam Shooting Names 15 Athletes to Chase Gold at Asian Games 20

Vietnamese shooting has finalized its 15-member squad for the Asian Games 20, and the sport is being viewed as the country’s clearest route to a gold medal in Japan.

The team includes seven women: Trinh Thu Vinh, Nguyen Thuy Trang, Nguyen Thuy Dung, Bui Thuy Thu Thuy, Le Thi Mong Tuyen, Phi Thanh Thao and Duong Ha My. The eight-man squad consists of Pham Quang Huy, Lai Cong Minh, Nguyen Dinh Thanh, Ha Minh Thanh, Vu Tien Nam, Phung Viet Dung, Nguyen Tam Quang and Nguyen Minh Quang.

Before the final selection, Vietnam’s leading pistol shooters spent three weeks training in South Korea. The camp focused on refining technique, particularly the athletes’ ability to control pressure. Shooting events at the Asian Games 20 are scheduled for Sept. 20 to Oct. 1.

Vietnamese shooting opened the country’s gold-medal account at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2023. Pham Quang Huy won the men’s 10-meter air pistol, giving the Vietnamese delegation its first gold of those Games. He also teamed up with Lai Cong Minh and Phan Cong Minh to win a bronze in the team event.

Huy will be tasked with defending that title, while Trinh Thu Vinh is considered Vietnam’s leading hope in Japan. The 2000-born shooter finished fourth in the women’s 10-meter air pistol and seventh in the women’s 25-meter sport pistol at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She later won four gold medals and set three records at the 33rd SEA Games.

Nguyen Thuy Trang is another young prospect. Early in 2026, she won the women’s 25-meter sport pistol at the Asian Championships after beating India’s Olympic star Manu Bhaker. Together, Huy, Thu Vinh and Thuy Trang have placed shooting among Vietnam’s main hopes for an important gold medal at the Games.