The Person Behind International Bodybuilding Medals
A former national gold medalist turned coach, Phu Tuong Linh of the Lam Dong Bodybuilding Team has trained generations of athletes who have won medals at national, Southeast Asian, Asian and world championships.
From Athlete to Coach
Born in 1973 in Da Lat, coach Phu Tuong Linh began his journey in bodybuilding in 1993 when he was 20 years old. Back then, Da Lat had very few bodybuilding gyms, and the available training equipment was quite rudimentary.
Reflecting on his introduction to the sport, he said, “As a child, I was rather thin and small. My family urged me to engage in a sport to improve my health, which led me to choose weightlifting.”
His elder brother, Phu Tuong Hung (born in 1971), trained alongside him during that period. Sharing the same enthusiasm, the two siblings ultimately chose to become bodybuilding coaches.
After consistently securing medals at provincial events, the brothers, together with their teammates like Ho Tan Phat and Vu Thanh Nam, were selected for the Lam Dong Bodybuilding Team to compete in the annual national championships, helping the province win numerous medals. Phu Tuong Hung is currently a bodybuilding coach and operates a sizable gym in Di Linh Commune, where hundreds of trainees work out daily.
For coach Phu Tuong Linh, his first significant accomplishment occurred in 2001 when he earned a bronze medal in the 70 kg category at the National Bodybuilding Championships.
In 2006, he won one gold and one silver medal in the 60 kg category at the National Youth and Clubs Bodybuilding Championships held in Da Nang. At the same competition, the Lam Dong Bodybuilding Team topped the overall standings with eight gold, five silver and six bronze medals.
In 2007, Linh moved into coaching at the training facility of the Lam Dong Bodybuilding Team. After gaining experience, he was officially appointed to lead the provincial bodybuilding team in 2013.
Conquering International Stages with His Students
Since its inception, Lam Dong bodybuilding has emerged as one of the most formidable teams in the nation. At one time, the provincial squad boasted up to 30 athletes. The team has participated in various events and weight classes for both men and women at national championships, consistently ranking among the top bodybuilding teams in the country.
Building on the legacy of former coaches like Nguyen Thi Thi and Cilpam Ha Mose, Phu Tuong Linh has played a key role in making bodybuilding one of Lam Dong's most successful sports. Under his leadership, the bodybuilders from Lam Dong have consistently secured numerous medals at national competitions. “As of now, the team has earned over 100 medals, including many gold ones, too many to count,” Linh mentioned.
According to Linh, bodybuilding requires hard work, perseverance and a high level of discipline. Before major competitions, athletes must follow a strict diet for around three months, limiting their intake of salt, sugar and fat. “I also follow the same diet, train alongside them and accompany the athletes throughout their competition preparations,” he said.
Beyond their achievements at national competitions, bodybuilders from Lam Dong have also made a name for themselves at international events throughout Southeast Asia, Asia, and around the globe over the years.
In particular, Nguyen Ngoc Thai Ha (born in 1993) earned bronze medals at both the Southeast Asian and Asian championships in the women's classic physique division for competitors up to 1.6 meters in 2024 and 2025. Athlete Le Thi Le Hoa (born in 1991, from Bao Loc) claimed the gold medal at the 2026 Asian Championship in the women's athletic physique category for athletes up to 1.6 meters.
Meanwhile, Le Viet Hong Tu secured a bronze medal in the 80 kg division at the 2024 World Championships. K'Tuyen (born in 2001, from Di Linh) made his mark by winning the 75 kg gold medal at the 2023 Asian Junior Championships, along with two Asian silver medals and a Southeast Asian silver medal in 2024 and 2025.
K'Tuyen is currently training intensively in preparation to represent Lam Dong's sports delegation at the upcoming National Sports Games Bodybuilding Championships.