First modification: 02/08/2021 – 15:44
Tokyo (AFP)
Guatemalan Kevin Cordón could not complete the feat and lost on Monday the match for the bronze medal of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games badminton tournament with the Indonesian Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, who won 21-11 and 21-13 .
Cordón, who was looking for the second Olympic medal in history for Guatemala, after the silver won by Erick Barrondo in the 20 km march in London-2012, lost in 38 minutes.
The Central American, 59th world player, could not win the fifth seed of the Games.
“It is my last day here at the Olympics. I feel sad because I wanted to win a medal, but things are like that. Of course, I am calm, I cannot complain because for me it was a dream to be in the Games. It was a I dream of being in the semifinals. Now I want to go home and thank Guatemala for all the support, “explained Cordón.
“My opponent was faster than me and I couldn’t play my game. I like to play at the net and attack, but this guy was faster than me at the net,” he added.
Cordón, 34, had lost on Sunday in the semifinals against Danish Viktor Axelsen, who on Monday took gold after defeating Chinese Chen Long, who could not defend his title, 21-15, 21-12.
– Oro para Axelsen –
It is the first time since 1996 that a non-Asian player has won the Olympic title.
Now when Cordón returns to Guatemala he will be better known than before, despite the fact that these were his fourth Olympic Games and he had reached the round of 16 in London-2012.
“Not only in badminton, but in all sports in Guatemala, they will know that if you train hard and have patience, all good things will come. Normally you train for a few months and if no good results come, you say to yourself: stop training. Now They will know that if you train hard and are patient, good things will come, “he explained.
“Now I want to go home and be with my family. All these months have been very hard for me and also for them. Now I want to be there, relax and see what happens next,” he said.
“I really like to play badminton. I feel very happy when I train. If I can, I want to continue playing,” he added.
“The mind is important. You can train very hard, but if your head does not want to train or you are lazy that does not help. If I continue training hard, I can maintain my level,” he concluded.
© 2021 AFP
