Coach Kim Sang-sik named outstanding coach of 2025

For leading the national, U23, and U22 teams to numerous resounding successes, Kim Sang-sik has been honored as Vietnam's outstanding sports coach of 2025.

Kim Sang-sik and Vietnam's U22 team celebrate their SEA Games 33 gold medal at Rajamangala Stadium, Thailand, on the evening of 18/12. *Photo: Duc Dong*

Coach Kim Sang-sik secured an overwhelming victory in the "Outstanding Coach of Vietnamese Sports 2025" poll. He garnered 532 points, significantly surpassing second-place Tran Quoc Cuong (shooting), who received 283 points. Coach Nguyen Hoang Vu (swimming) ranked third in the selection with 224 points.

Kim's recognition comes after a year of remarkable achievements, including a hat-trick of championship titles. On 5/1, he led the Vietnam national team to win the ASEAN Cup, defeating host Thailand 3-2 in the second leg of the final at Rajamangala Stadium, securing a 5-3 aggregate victory. On 29/7, Kim also guided Vietnam's U23 team to defeat host Indonesia 1-0 at Bung Karno Stadium, claiming the U23 Southeast Asian Championship. The impressive run continued on the evening of 18/12, when Vietnam's U22 team staged a comeback, defeating host Thailand 3-2 at Rajamangala Stadium to claim the SEA Games 33 gold medal.

Beyond these three championships, 2025 saw Kim lead Vietnam's U23 team to top Group C in the qualifiers, securing a spot in the U23 Asian Championship 2026 finals. Furthermore, the South Korean coach's Vietnam national team is currently second in Group F of the final qualification round for the Asian Cup 2027.

Other notable coaches were also recognized for their contributions. Coach Mai Duc Chung, who led the Vietnam women's national team to second place in the AFF Cup and a SEA Games silver medal, ranked 4th with 149 points. Coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet of the women's volleyball team placed 5th with 144 points.

Trinh Thu Vinh competes in the 10m air pistol mixed team final at SEA Games 33 in Ratchaburi, Thailand, on 15/12. *Photo: Hieu Luong*

In the "Outstanding Athlete" category, shooter Trinh Thu Vinh won the award with 1,272 points. Runner Nguyen Thi Oanh placed second with 761 points, and forward Nguyen Dinh Bac was third with 693 points.

Trinh Thu Vinh delivered an impressive performance in 2025. She secured a gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event at the Asian Cup, a bronze medal at the Asian Championship, and four individual and team gold medals at SEA Games 33, including three SEA Games records.

The "Outstanding Sports Team" award went to Vietnam's U22 team with 1,660 points. This dominant victory stemmed from their U23 Southeast Asian Championship title and SEA Games gold medal. The women's 4x400m relay athletics team ranked second with 635 points. The four-player women's sepak takraw team placed third with 530 points.

Vietnamese players lift the U23 Southeast Asian Championship 2025 trophy at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia, on the evening of 29/9. *Photo: Hai Tu*

The "Outstanding Athlete with Disabilities" award was presented to Vi Thi Hang (swimming). Her coach, Nguyen Dang Vien, received the "Outstanding Coach for Athletes with Disabilities" award.

The nationwide selection for outstanding athletes and coaches of 2025 was organized by the Vietnam Sports Administration. Sports journalists from national news agencies participated in the voting. The awards ceremony is scheduled for March 2026, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the traditional day of the sports sector.