TOKYO – Guatemalan badminton player, Kevin Cordon, became a byword at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics because of his slick appearance. However, Cordon had to fight hard since childhood to get to where he is now.
Cordon had to go through an uphill battle. At the beginning of his career, he had left his family and migrated since he was 12 years old to become a badminton player.
Cordon admitted that he had gone to the capital city of Guatemala, Guatemala City, to pursue his dream. The badminton player who was born in Zacapa, a city 112 km from the capital of Guatemala, went with a reckless capital.
Luckily, Cordon’s parents gave their blessing even though his father and mother did not really understand badminton. Because, in Guatemala, badminton is not a popular sport and promises for the future.
However, Cordon still makes badminton his way of life. The Guatemalan Badminton Federation also provided him with guarantees of training and a decent life in the capital.
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“My parents didn’t know anything about badminton, but they said, ‘If you want to be a badminton player and make your dreams come true, go to the capital city,’ said Cordon, quoting from the official BWF website, Sunday (1/8/2021) .
“I went alone, alone. the federation in the City said there were a lot of little kids with big talents, and they moved us to the capital and said, ‘OK, we’ll give you training, school, food, accommodation.’ That’s why I decided to leave,” continued the 34-year-old badminton player.
At that time, Cordon’s mother only expected her son to be a good person. Cordon also always remembers his mother’s message that he forbade him to approach liquor and drugs.
“But my mother has the last word. He said, ‘Okay, go on but be careful, no alcohol, no drugs.’ After 20 years, my family is happier than me,” said Cordon.
Despite choosing to become a badminton player, Cordon’s first dream turned out to be to become a footballer. He was inspired by his father who was a footballer. In fact, Cordon’s first name was inspired by Kevin Keegan, who was his father’s idol.
“My father used to play football, and at that time one of the best players in the World Cup was Kevin Keegan from England, so he said ‘If I have a child, his name is Kevin.’ So, that’s why my name is an English name,” explained Cordon.
“I also wanted to be a footballer, then badminton came into my life. My dream (to win a medal) in Beijing (2008) and now in my fourth Olympics, it’s still the same dream, only now I enjoy it more,” concluded the 34-year-old badminton player.
