Akane Yamaguchi (27, Japan) is taking a breath to regain the top spot in women’s badminton singles after two years. This is why her world ranking has already fallen to 4th place.
On February 21, the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri reported an interview article focusing on “Akane Yamaguchi, who unknowingly discovered habits and attack patterns that had become habits while resting due to injury.”
‘Yomiuri’ is one of Japan’s five largest daily newspapers and the world’s largest newspaper in terms of daily circulation. Akane Yamaguchi is the winner of the women’s singles at the 26th and 27th Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Championships in 2021 and 2022.
Akane Yamaguchi is holding up the women’s singles winner’s medal and trophy at the 2023 World Badminton Federation World Tour Super 500 Series ‘Hong Kong Open’. Photo=AFPBBNews=News1
However, in the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games in China in September-October 2023, where he participated as the defending champion in the individual event, he injured his right foot and only won a bronze medal in the team event with Japan. Akane Yamaguchi said, “It took about three and a half months to return. “This is the first time in his career that he has been off the court for this long,” he explained.
The badminton event at the 33rd Summer Olympics in Paris, France, 2024 will be held from July 28 to August 6 (Korean time). The biggest obstacle to world No. 1 Ahn Se-young (22, Samsung Life Insurance)’s challenge for the women’s singles gold medal is ‘healthy’ Akane Yamaguchi.
Ahn Se-young stood tall as world number one by winning the 28th World Championships in 2023 and winning the gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games. However, Akane Yamaguchi is the only player who has not yet been able to overcome her inferiority despite playing against each other for more than 20 games.
Winner Akane Yamaguchi (left) and runner-up Seyoung Ahn are participating in the 2022 BWF World Tour Super 1000 Series ‘All England Open’ awards ceremony. Photo=AFPBBNews=News1
Akane Yamaguchi is ahead of Ahn Se-young with 12 wins and 9 losses in 21 individual badminton matches. The more Ahn Se-young shines, the more attention Yamaguchi’s superiority will inevitably attract.
According to ‘Yomiuri’, Akane Yamaguchi makes and releases videos every year as a fan service of ▲plays that are very rare or surprising even for badminton fans ▲game scenes that she thinks are really good.
Fans are watching the content produced by Akane Yamaguchi and voting on the items such as ‘Season of the Year’ and ‘Best Play of the Season’. ‘Yomiuri’ said, “In the process of editing the 2023 year-end video, the player said, ‘Wow, do I do this pattern so often?’ “There were many times when I felt the same way,” he said.
Akane Yamaguchi returns in the semifinals of the 2023 Hong Kong Open. Photo=AFPBBNews=News1
Akane Yamaguchi said, “I have never felt like my game was sloppy while working on a video like last year. “After being away from the court for several months due to injury, I was able to look at badminton more objectively,” he said, looking back on the rehabilitation period.
‘Yomiuri’ said, “A group of experts, including trainers, also helped review Akane Yamaguchi’s play. He gave advice on how to use the body better and the angle of the thigh joint for sharp movements. “He went through trial and error to ensure that the player could actually do that,” he explained.
Akane Yamaguchi plays in the 2023 Hong Kong Open final. Photo=AFPBBNews=News1
The 2024 World Badminton Federation World Tour Super 750 Series ‘French Open’ will be held in Paris from March 6 to 11, serving as an Olympic test event.
Akane Yamaguchi said, “It’s not just that the wound has healed. It feels more and more intense and fresh. “I will give my 100% effort starting from the French Open for the Paris Olympics,” he announced.
Kang Dae-ho, MK Sports reporter
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2024-02-22 23:18:07
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