Top News

Vietnamese volleyball star Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen withdraws from world women’s championship over controversial eligibility rules
Sandy Verma | August 20, 2025 4:24 AM CST

Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen (number 10) celebrates Vietnam’s 3-2 win over Thailand at the 2025 SEA Women’s V-League final’s second leg at Ninh Binh Province Gymnasium on Aug. 10, 2025. Photo by Read/Hieu Luong

Tuyen announced her decision on Facebook, noting that it was made after careful consideration and has been respected by both the coaching staff and the Vietnam Volleyball Federation (VFV).

Her withdrawal came just before the team’s departure for the 2025 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship, to be held from Aug. 22 to Sept. 7.

The 25-year-old emphasized that her decision was not due to a lack of competitive spirit. “For me, sports are not just about competition, they are about respect and fairness. I feel these regulations lack transparency and do not provide the fairness athletes deserve,” Tuyen wrote. “Every athlete deserves to compete in an environment that is respectful and equal. To protect my integrity and avoid unnecessary risks for the team, I have decided to step back.”

Tuyen expressed confidence that her teammates would give their best at the tournament in Thailand and said she would use the time to focus on training and prepare for future competitions.

Standing 1.88 m tall, Tuyen is known for her powerful attacking style, particularly her sharp spikes. Her presence has significantly contributed to the Vietnam women’s team’s performance over the past two years. On Aug. 10, she helped lead Vietnam to victory over Thailand to win the second leg of the SEA Women’s V-League finafinal, Vietnam’s first ever triumph over Thailand in women’s volleyball, and one that Tuyen described as the most memorable moment of her career.

Tuyen initially viewed the 2025 World Championship as an opportunity to gain experience and prepare for SEA Games 33 in December. However, following controversies involving the U21 team at the recent FIVB Volleyball Women’s U21 World Championship in Indonesia, she opted to withdraw to avoid potential risks.

Vietnam was penalized at the U21 tournament with four match losses for “using ineligible players,” though the FIVB did not clarify the specific violations or player identities. This decision dropped the team from second place and a Round of 16 position to the bottom of the standings, leaving them to compete in the 17–24 ranking group.

Off the court, Tuyen has faced scrutiny over her appearance due to her facial features and physique, which some perceive as masculine, particularly from Thai and Indonesian opponents. In the past, she wore long hair, but recently she has adopted a short, bold hairstyle that reflects a strong, individualistic image.

In a previous interview with ReadTuyen reflected on a decade of professional volleyball, noting the many ups and downs she has overcome. She also emphasized that she does not let comments about her physique affect her focus on the sport.


READ NEXT
Cancel OK