Hoang Ngan receives the championship tile inIstanbul. Competing at ASIAD Doha. French and Japanese newspapers publish stories about Nguyen Hoang Ngan's achievements.   The year 2008 was an unforgettable time in the competing career of karate martial arts artist Nguyen Hoang Ngan when she became the first Vietnamese athlete winning the world championship title in karate that originated from Japan. She started rising to fame in Vietnam when she won consecutive championships at SEA Games 2003 and 2005. However, she only surprised the Vietnamese karate circle by her silver medal at the World Championship Tournament held in France in 2005. In context when Vietnam’s karate athletes only obtained medals in the regional and Asian arena, her silver medal at the world tournament was the first for a Vietnamese competitor. Furthermore, it showed the dominance of Vietnam’s karate in the kata event. Previously, Vietnam’s athletes only showed their strength in the kumite event. After that achievement Hoang Ngan suffered a poor showing at ASIAD 15 in 2006 and not until November 2008 did she have a chance to demonstrate her talent, earning the title of “The Queen of Karate” of Vietnam when she for the first time became the world karate champion in Japan. For her, it was a hard journey to glory. In this event, Hoang Ngan had to compete against about 60 talented martial arts artists, particularly the host country's martial arts artists. However, Hoang Ngan outpointed her rivals to earn a spot in the semi-final match against a Japanese athlete. Although being the underdog, Hoang Ngan performed excellently and ended the match with a narrow 3 points to 2 victory to gain a spot in the final match in which Hoang Ngan defeated her Italian rival with a score of 4-1, winning the championship title. It was the highest ever result for both Hoang Ngan and Vietnam at the world tournament. This achievement helped Hoang Ngan to be selected as one of the top ten Vietnamese athletes in 2008. Having pursued the martial arts career for 13 years, this 24 year-old girl has collected an impressive array of medals, including a gold medal at the young Asian karate tournament in 2000 at the age of 16, a private and team gold medal at SEA Games 22 and 23, a team gold medal at SEA Games 24, a silver medal at the world karate championship 2005, a silver medal at ASIAD 16, a gold medal at the Open Karate Kobe Osaka in 2007 and a gold medal at the world championship tournament in 2008. With an excellent performance in Japan , Hoang Ngan became the world’s karate champion. A precise kick helps Hoang Ngan win a gold medal at SEA Games 23. Joys after winning a team's gold medal at SEA Games 23. Hoang Ngan and her parents review her competitions.  Story by Hoang Ha - Photos by Hoang Ha & Files