Vietnam's most beautiful female bodybuilder claims gold at Asian cycling championship

Competing in the Road Race - Women Master (45-49 years old) event on Wednesday, Lan completed the 42.8 km course in 1 hour, 15 minutes and 13 seconds, narrowly defeating a Mongolian racer at the finish line. Vietnamese cyclist Hoang Thi Hang secured bronze in the same age group.

Vietnam was represented by four amateur racers: Lan, Pham Minh Nhan (35-39 age group), Truong Thi Quynh (30-34) and Hoang Thi Hang (45-49). Despite facing strong competition, all four performed with determination. Nhan and Quynh won bronze in their categories.

Ton Hoang Khanh Lan finishes first at the Asian Road Cycling Championship in Phitsanulok, Thailand on Feb. 12, 2025. Photo by TCA

"This Asian gold medal is a testament to the hard work and dedication of me and my team," said Lan after the race. "The competition was fierce, but I kept my focus, knowing the real challenge was within myself. I stayed close to my opponents and waited for the right moment to sprint to victory."

Lan, 47, has been a dominant figure in Vietnamese bodybuilding since 2001 and was recognized the most beautiful female bodybuilder in many years. She is a six-time national gold medalist and holds the world, Asian and Southeast Asian bodybuilding titles.

In addition to bodybuilding, she excels in taekwondo, running and cycling, achieving top results in amateur races. In January 2025, she was the first Vietnamese woman to win the Vietnam-China cross-country road race.

Currently, Lan serves as both an athlete and coach for the Dong Nai bodybuilding team. Her rigorous daily training routine includes cycling 20-25 km, teaching at the gym, following lesson plans and training from 3 to 10 p.m.

"Aside from cycling, I am determined to win my seventh consecutive bodybuilding gold medal at the 2026 national championship," she said.

Ton Hoang Khanh Lan during a bodybuilding compeition. Photo courtesy of Ton Hoang Khanh Lan

The 2025 Asian Cycling Championship, held from Feb. 7 to 16, features nearly 500 elite cyclists from across the continent, including professional teams, U23 and U18 youth teams, and senior athletes competing in the Master category. The event is part of the International Cycling Union (UCI) system, helping athletes prepare for the SEA Games 33.

Despite an initial setback, when a fire destroyed Vietnam’s competition equipment upon arrival in Thailand, Vietnam’s athletes prevailed.

Racer Hoang Hai Nam claimed gold in the over-60 individual time trial event on Feb. 8, despite competing with a borrowed bicycle and equipment.