Nguyen Thi Tam has achieved a historic milestone for Vietnamese boxing by securing a silver medal in the women's 51kg category at the 2026 Asian Games (ASIAD) held in Japan. This accomplishment marks the best performance for Vietnam in boxing at the Asian Games to date.

The final match took place on October 2, 2026, at the Nishio Gymnasium in Aichi Prefecture, where Tam faced off against Wu Yu, the reigning Olympic champion and world number one in the 51kg category. Despite her efforts, Tam lost the match with a score of 0-5.

Throughout the competition, Tam demonstrated remarkable skill and determination. She began her ASIAD journey with a decisive 5-0 victory against Ramisha Shrestha from Nepal, followed by a 4-1 win over Taiwan's Guo Yi-xuan. In the quarterfinals, she continued her winning streak with another 5-0 victory against South Korea's Bak Chorong, securing her place on the podium.

The semifinal match was particularly noteworthy, as Tam faced Alua Balkibekova, the reigning world champion from Kazakhstan. Tam showcased her ability to control distance and utilized her height advantage effectively, winning the bout with scores of 30-27 from three judges and 29-28 from two others, resulting in a unanimous 5-0 victory.

Although Tam fell short in the final against Wu Yu, who has also won the Asian Championship and World Boxing Cup, her silver medal is a significant achievement. At 32 years old, Tam's journey to this point has been remarkable, especially after recovering from a serious knee injury that sidelined her for nearly two years. She previously won a silver medal at the World Championships and has two Asian Championship titles and two SEA Games gold medals to her name.

This silver medal not only highlights Tam's personal achievements but also sets a new benchmark for Vietnamese boxing on the international stage. Her performance at ASIAD 2026 will inspire future generations of athletes in Vietnam.