PARIS, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Surinamese badminton player Soren Opti's Paris Olympic journey ended prematurely on Monday due to a knee injury, but his resilience left a lasting impression.
In his final group match, Opti faced Italy's Giovani Toti but was forced to retire in the second set after suffering a ligament tear in his right knee. The 27-year-old athlete was wheeled off the court, visibly emotional, as the crowds applauded his brave effort.
"This was supposed to be my third Olympics," Opti reflected in a prior interview. He made his Olympic debut at 19 at the 2016 Rio Games, where he competed against then-world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei, scoring five points across two sets. Despite the lopsided score, Opti cherishes this match as one of his most memorable experiences.
Opti's Olympic aspirations in Tokyo were dashed after a positive COVID-19 test barred him from competing. He had been set to face China's Shi Yuqi, a match he would later play in Paris.
"Paris is my dream city, especially combined with my love for badminton," Opti remarked, highlighting the significance of competing in the French capital.
Preparing for the Olympics in Suriname, a nation where badminton is less prominent, presented unique challenges for Opti. He often struggled to find sparring partners of similar caliber.
"It's very difficult in Suriname," he explained. "I train in the mornings, but finding practice partners and courts for the afternoons is hard. Sometimes, I don't have feeders, so I focus on footwork, running, or gym work."
On the first day of the badminton event in Paris, Opti finally faced top seed Shi Yuqi, losing 21-5, 21-7. Despite the defeat, he took pride in the experience: "I made some good points, putting him under pressure at times, which felt really good."
Opti also braved the rain to attend the Olympics' opening ceremony, wearing a transparent raincoat and waving to spectators on both sides of the River Seine from a boat with his teammates.
"I was worried about falling ill before my big day, but seeing athletes like LeBron James and Stephen Curry, and the Eiffel Tower in the rain, was unforgettable," he said.
