From a game-loving boy to a 4-time world champion, receiving the First Class Labor Medal

VHO - Pencak Silat athlete Le Van Toan of Da Nang has just been awarded the First Class Labor Medal by the President after winning his fourth world gold medal.

From "reluctant" gamer to champion

On the afternoon of July 26, Ms. Le Thi Hong Ngoan, Head of Pencak Silat Department at Da Nang Sports Training Center, said that athlete Le Van Toan had just been awarded the First Class Labor Medal by President Luong Cuong for his outstanding contributions to Vietnamese sports .

This honor came to Toan after his fourth world gold medal that he won on the night of December 22, 2024 at the world championship. Competing in the over 95kg weight class, the boxer born in 1999 continued to affirm his number one position, extending his impressive achievements and that of the national team.

Pencak Silat athlete Le Van Toan of Da Nang has just been awarded the First Class Labor Medal by the President.

To date, Toan has won the world championship four times (2018, 2019, 2022 and 2024), a rare achievement for a Vietnamese Pencak Silat fighter. He is also the Asian champion for four consecutive years and has won many gold medals at domestic tournaments such as the National Cup, National Championship, and National Sports Festival.

Toan grew up in a working-class family in Thanh Khe Ward, Da Nang City, with no tradition of sports. As a child, he was only interested in playing games and knew nothing about sports. Luckily, his neighbor, Mr. Duc, who works in the Department of Culture and Sports, saw Toan's potential and convinced his parents to let him pursue sports.

Initially, Toan registered to learn archery but was rejected because he was nearsighted. Fate brought him to Pencak Silat when he met Coach Le Thi Hong Ngoan. Recognizing the potential of his tall, smart student, Coach Ngoan brought Toan to the youth team in 2015 when he was only 16 years old. The life of the boy who was passionate about games took a new turn from then on.

Le Van Toan on the podium receiving the Gold medal.

After just one year of serious training, Toan won two bronze medals at national tournaments in 2016, then advanced to the silver medal at the National Cup in 2017. This achievement helped him catch the eye of the national team's coaching staff and begin his journey to compete at the highest level.

Glory goes with hardship

Unlike the glory on the stage, Toan's journey is paid for with sweat, tears and iron discipline. Every day, he practices 3 sessions at the Da Nang National Sports Training Center, from 5:30 am to almost evening.

He always tries to follow the teachers' lesson plans correctly and completely, learns from his seniors, and draws experience from his own failures.

Coach Hong Ngoan played a key role in his journey. At first, he was discouraged and wanted to give up after doing some difficult moves. But she didn't let him. She forced him to do it, encouraged him every day and didn't let him give up.

Teacher and student Le Thi Hong Ngoan and Le Van Toan both received certificates of merit from the Chairman of the People's Committee of Da Nang City for their many achievements in Pencak Silat in 2024.

For him, Coach Ngoan is "the first and most important teacher", not only teaching him professional skills but also imparting on him a way of life, a sense of responsibility and a passion for sports.

Since 2018, Toan has almost completely dominated the tournaments. 2019 and 2022 were brilliant seasons when he won all 5 gold medals at all competitions from national to continental and world. In 2023, he continued to maintain his form with 4 gold medals, including the prestigious world gold medal.

Currently, Toan is competing with the Vietnamese Pencak Silat team at the 2025 Asian Championship held in Ha Tinh. He aims to win his fifth gold medal at this tournament. Before that, to prepare for the national championship in April 2025, Toan has been training continuously since the beginning of the year with a tight training schedule.

Although he cannot participate in the upcoming 33rd SEA Games because the over 95kg weight class is not on the competition list, Toan affirmed that he will not neglect his training with the hope of having the best professional preparation to participate in the Asian and world championships in 2025.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/tu-cau-be-me-game-den-nha-vo-dich-the-gioi-4-lan-nhan-huan-chuong-lao-dong-hang-nhat-156823.html