| James Kon |
TOP ranked Japanese professional badminton player, Sho Sasaki believed that Brunei Darussalam has the potential to produce high quality badminton player to compete in the international stage.
Sho Sasaki, who is on a visit in the country for the Brunei-Japan Badminton Exchange is ranked 24 in singles and is the highest-ranked Japanese badminton player in the world.
In an interview with the Bulletin yesterday, Sho Sasaki said, “To be a champion, there is no shortcut. It is important to take one step at a time to progress and don’t be discouraged after a defeat because it is vital for an athlete to be able to overcome defeat and move on to improve for the next match.”
On Monday, the Japanese badminton team also visited Brunei’s Sports School and had a few practice sessions with the students.
He said, “I am impressed with the badminton players in the school. The students were playing hard and managed to put up good matches.”
Sho Sasaki who is looking to retire from professional badminton and looking to venture into coaching also stressed on the importance of setting a goal as well as having the right approach to achieve the goal with one’s own style of play.
When asked if Brunei has the potential of producing quality player like himself, Sasaki said, “Yes, there is a possibility for Brunei as there are many talented badminton players here.”
At 34 years old, Sasaki will not be competing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games. He felt that the time is right for him to retire to pursue a coaching career to help increase young badminton players.
The Japanese badminton team comprising Sho Sasaki (ranked 24 in singles), Yu Igarashi (ranked 302 in singles), Kenya Mitsuhashi (ranked 1121 in singles and 95 in doubles), along with Miyuki Kato and Miki Kashihara (ranked 276 in doubles) yesterday visited Jerudong International School (JIS).
Sho Sasaki in action during the practice session.
Japanese badminton team in a group photo with the JIS students. – PHOTOS: DEAN KASSIM
Welcoming the Japanese athletes were Barnaby Sandow, the Principal of JIS and Chris McGeorge, the Director of Sports.
The Japanese badminton players joined in the coaching session of badminton with the GCSE PE Group and the CCA Badminton group whereby they also play parring match with a number of students.
The visiting professional players also gave a number of tips to the students on the approach of smashing, drop shots as well as serving during the one-hour session.
According to Barnaby Sandow, “I am really excited to see the expression on the children’s face when they witnessed the high level of performance being displayed by the professional Japanese badminton players. I hope that the children will be inspired to strive for improvement in badminton with the coaching session.
“Although we don’t speak the same language (Japanese and English), the players can communicate through the game of badminton and build on the relationship.”
Meanwhile Jaspar Yu, Brunei national badminton player who was also present on the sideline of the session said, “Brunei is yet to be exposed to the high level of badminton game therefore this is a great and rare opportunity for Bruneian to really grasp and witness the high level of badminton game that the Japanese team bring to the country.
“I hope that the Japanese badminton players can inspire our local players to strive for excellence.”
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