Tran Hoai Khanh Linh, a DTU student of General Medicine, pulled off an upset at the 2025 VBSF-Aplus National Carom Cup by defeating a series of strong opponents and outstandingly earning a third prize overall.
Breaking through with passion for billiards
In her second year of university, Khanh Linh picked up a cue stick for the first time ever, never imagining that the sport she chose for exercise and relaxation after stressful study hours would grow into a lasting passion that would stay with her throughout her student journey. As her love for billiards deepened, she created a detailed schedule to balance her studies at university while still pursuing her newfound passion.
Khanh Linh with her third prize at the 2025 VBSF-Aplus National Billiards Cup
“At first, I was terrible and lost all the time [laughs], but I knew that if I persevered and kept learning, I’d get better,” Khanh Linh explains. “I spend my free time on research, watching tutorials on YouTube, and seeking advice from experienced players; I also make time to practice every week. Billiards fascinates me because it combines technique, strategy, and even composure. The more I play, the more I realize that it’s not just a game of skill but also a sport of intelligence and mindset. Every shot requires precise calculation, and you have to deal with competition pressure to set down good results.”
Fully focused cueist during a match at the 2025 VBSF-Aplus National Carom Cup
Once she felt her performance had stabilized, Khanh Linh began entering professional tournaments, including the 2025 VBSF-Aplus National Carom Cup. The 2025 National Youth Carom Cup and the 2025 VBSF-Aplus National Carom Cup were co-organized by the Vietnam Billiards & Snooker Federation and the Lam Dong province Department of Culture, Sports, & Tourism from September 10 to 17, 2025. The event attracted nearly four hundred athletes from thirteen provincial and municipal teams competing in:
- men’s three-cushion carom,
- men’s one-cushion carom,
- women’s three-cushion carom, and
- youth three-cushion carom.
Khanh Linh has won multiple other billiards tournaments
Competing in women’s three-cushion carom, the pretty Khanh Linh surprised everyone by defeating a series of strong opponents:
- She defeated defending national champion Nguyen Thi Lien with a score of 25-23;
- she beat Phung Kien Tuong, one of Vietnam’s most experienced three-cushion carom players, 23-18;
- she overcame Luong Thi Thom in the quarterfinals 25-18, advancing to the top four of the tournament.
Although she lost 25–30 in the semifinals to runner-up Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, Khanh Linh’s perseverance and remarkable breakthroughs throughout the tournament left a strong impression on both professional cueists and spectators.
The pretty Khanh Linh
Previously, Khanh Linh won many high prizes in various large-scale tournaments:
- Style Award at the HBSF 2024 tournament,
- third place in doubles at Sao Club 2024,
- gold medal at DTU’s third Medicine and Pharmacology Faculty Sports Event in 2025,
- champion of the 52 Club internal tournament 2025,
- third place at the Hung Nui Club internal tournament 2025,
- third place in three-cushion carom (B-, C class) at the second Niz Bkpro Club tournament 2025,
- champion in three-cushion carom (B-, C class) at the third Niz Bkpro Club tournament 2025,
- champion in doubles at Badi Club 2025.
Although she did not receive formal training, Khanh Linh can compete on equal footing in big contests thanks to her persistence, eagerness to learn, and genuine passion for the sport.
Striving in studies with dream of becoming cosmetic surgeon
Besides her passion for billiards, Khanh Linh has always considered education as the most solid and essential foundation for realizing her dream of becoming a cosmetic surgeon - a goal she has been pursuing with utmost seriousness. While her success in the sports arena might surprise some, Khanh Linh still devotes most of her time to studying, mastering professional knowledge, and honing her medical skills in the DTU classroom.
Khanh Linh during a medical laboratory session at DTU
“General Medicine covers a vast amount of knowledge,” Khanh Linh explains. “From anatomy and physiology to clinical skills, everything demands a huge lot of practice. That’s why I must always actively absorb what my lecturers teach in class and study on my own at home to maintain my focus and retain important information. I believe that only with a strong foundation in medical science can I safely and effectively perform cosmetic surgeries that’ll make people more confident about their beauty.”
What impressed Khanh Linh the most are her hours at DTU’s “mini hospital” (MedSIM), where she can practice her deft hands on simulated patients in the practice room to perfect her professional skills. She is always enthusiastic for her internships at hospitals and cosmetic clinics to learn from experienced doctors and become familiar with patient care and treatment procedures.
Thanks to effective time management, Khanh Linh has been able to do well in her studies while still pursuing her favorite sport. For this dynamic, strong, and passionate Gen-Z student at DTU, every day is deeply meaningful as she gets to do what she loves and work hard toward her personal dreams and to a brighter future for the community.
(Media Center)