"The two of us have worked together to get to the point where we are now, aiming for an Olympic gold medal. In order to enjoy the Paris Olympics, we will prepare together. ”
On May 14, Akane Yamaguchi and Chiyo Shida/Namo Matsuyama, one of the biggest favorites for the Olympic title of the Japanese badminton team, attended a press conference and talked about their goals for this year's Olympics.
The 27-year-old Akane Yamaguchi rose to fame at a young age, becoming the youngest winner of the 2013 Japan Super Series, beating the likes of Sindhu and Tai Tzu Ying. Since then, Akane Yamaguchi has qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but unfortunately lost to Nozomi Okuhara and Sindhu respectively and reached the quarterfinals for two consecutive Olympic Games. Subsequently, Akane Yamaguchi won the women's singles gold medal at the 2021 and 2022 World Championships, realizing her dream of becoming a world champion in a single event.
The Paris Olympics is Akane Yamaguchi's third Olympic appearance, and she is the biggest favorite to win the championship along with Chen Yufei, Dai Tzuying, An Xiying and Ma Lin. However, Akane Yamaguchi is more Buddhist, saying, "I want to enjoy it while doing my best." I hope to have the last laugh and end my Olympic journey in a way that satisfies me. ”
The 27-year-old and her partner Namo Matsuyama rose to prominence after the Tokyo Olympics, winning multiple Open Championships and becoming Japan's No. 1 women's doubles team, but both failed to reach the quarter-finals of three consecutive World Championships in 2021-2023.
Chiyo Shida and Namo Matsuyama will qualify for the Olympics for the first time in Paris, and Chiyo Shida is confident that she said: "The two of us have worked together to get to the point where we are now, aiming for an Olympic gold medal. In order to enjoy the Paris Olympics, we will prepare together. ”
Akane Yamaguchi and Chiyo Shida/Namo Matsuyama will next compete in the three open tournaments in Singapore, Malaysia and Australia in late May and June.