From Aspiration to Triumph: Hồ Minh Tú’s Rise to the National Stage
By Nhật Huy 11.2
Winning a national championship is never easy – especially for an athlete still in high school; and yet, Hồ Minh Tú from class 10.2 has managed to do just that. Being among the first few selected by the new Student Council’s Student Recognition program, the aspiring basketball player shares with Wisers TV his inspirations, the challenges he faced along the way, as well as general pieces of advice.
Rise of a Champion
Source: Student Council
Tú’s journey started in 9th grade when he started trying different sports to improve his health: at first, he only played for fun and never considered going competitive.
“Everything changed when I saw the Ho Chi Minh City U16 team win the basketball championship in 2023,” Tú exclaims in excitement. “Seeing them celebrate in their jerseys with “HCM” printed on them sparked something in me – I wanted to be part of that. It became both my motivation and my goal.
Next thing Tú knew, he was now fully engrossed in the competitive basketball scene, making the Ho Chi Minh City youth team by 9th grade. “The training was intense, but instead of discouraging me, it pushed me to work even harder,” the young player shared. “After the 2024 HKPD competition, my coaches finally gave me the opportunity to train with the U16 team.”
Within just a year, everything changed for Minh Tú: he had gotten accepted to the U16 team, even winning a championship in the process. “Although I didn’t perform as well as I wanted in the tournament, I was proud to be part of the championship-winning team!”
Adapting to the Team
While Minh Tú’s journey in the U16 has only lasted a year so far, it was filled with a plethora of physical and mental challenges. One of the toughest moments came at the end of 2023, during a tournament in Hanoi. “My teammates helped me get selected for the tournament mere days before it started,” says the young player. “The sudden selection was rather overwhelming, and the unfamiliar weather made it harder to adjust.”
Even so, Tú persevered despite a myriad of challenges. “It was my first time competing against players from outside the city, which made me nervous and more reserved.” the young hooper shares. “And yet, despite it all, I managed to win my first-ever national gold medal, which was an amazing experience!”
Source: Student Council
At the same time, Minh Tú’s time in the U16 was not all rainbows and sunshine – but came with even more challenges. “The training intensity was much higher – the few sessions we did per week felt just as tough as the daily training in the youth team,” the young player shares. “Hell, my first practice with the team was so intense that I collapsed from muscle cramps – it felt like a nightmare!”
With such determination, it was no wonder that Tú was bound to be officially selected for the team: “I was pleasantly surprised. The competition at that level was intense, and I faced tough opponents – but I saw it as a valuable opportunity to grow and improve.”
Looking back on his journey, Minh Tú attributes his biggest motivations to his supportive family, and the basketball jerseys he had always dreamt of wearing. “Pour your heart and soul into your passion.,” he says with a smile. “Even when faced with challenges, keep pushing forward!”
Through sheer determination and will, the young athlete has managed to achieve his dreams of reaching the national level in competitive basketball. As we continue to cheer on Minh Tú’s journey on the court, his story stands as a testament to the power of believing in yourself, and giving everything your all.
