What have you done to get to where you are now?
“I have worked very hard in every aspect that is necessary to become a top badminton athlete. That includes physical, mental, tactical and technical training.”
What did you have to do or let go of?
“I don’t think I have had to let go of much, but that’s due to the fact I grew up with it. From an early age, I would go to school later as I had training first. And I have a small social circle due to playing badminton all the time. Looking back, I realise I have done many things, but all were related to badminton. Everything you do and the choices you make are about your top athlete career.”
What does an average day look like for you?
“An average day is as follows. I start with court training in the morning. Then I have a massage or physiotherapy. Quickly afterwards, I do technical training. At the end of the afternoon, I do strength or conditioning training.”
What do you do to maintain your focus?
“Create new goals for myself constantly.”
What setbacks have you had?
“Many, which I believe every top athlete to have. Every time you lose is a setback. It is specifically important how you deal with this.”
What do your feet and ankles have to deal with?
“Haha, they have to deal with a lot. Our sport affects our entire body but especially our feet and ankles. It is very explosive.”
Have you had any injuries?
“Unfortunately, I have had an ankle sprain twice. Otherwise, I never have any injuries.”
Why do you use a brace?
“Because I sprained my ankle twice, I had to look for a solution to prevent this from happening again. That is how I ended up with my current brace.”
How has Covid-19 influenced your preparation?
“Covid-19 stopped us from training for about two months. This had major consequences and a considerable impact on us. Due to Covid-19, we have been unable to play tournaments for a very long time.”
What do you expect from the tournament?
“I expect a lot from the biggest event in the world. Hearing all about it, I think it’s huge.”
Do you think Covid-19 still plays a role during the tournament?
“Certainly. I don’t think you can compare the Olympics with any other tournament. This is extraordinary and unforgettable.”