Go on and on: Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand will keep playing badminton as long as she can. — S.S.KANESAN/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Will fourth time be the charm for Ratchanok Intanon at the Olympic Games?
Confident about making it into what will be her fourth appearance at the quadrennial Games in Paris this year, Ratchanok seems certain this will be her final run at the Olympics.
‘’I’m 99% sure I’ll qualify for Paris this year and it will be my final hope for a medal,’’ said the 28-year-old.
Currently ranked 13th, Ratchanok said the challenge for her in collecting qualifying points is being unseeded in tournaments, leaving her to face higher ranked shuttlers in the early rounds.
Although she ended her campaign at the Malaysian Open in the second round yesterday after being defeated by China’s Chen Yufei, Ratchanok is taking away positives from the year’s first tournament after being sidelined for three months due to a torn ligament in her left ankle.
‘’I’m glad to be back here after my injury. I was trying to be aggressive during the match but my opponent remained calm, causing me to make mistakes. I’m happy with my performance, but I need to improve my fitness,’’ she said.
Thailand has not won a medal in badminton at the Summer Olympics, and Ratchanok is hoping her final appearance will give the home fans a reason to cheer.
‘’Every player wants to get a medal, that’s for sure. I can’t say that this time I’m there to gain experience because I’ve already done this three times. I can’t expect to try for a medal on my fifth attempt, this year is my last hope.
‘’I’ve to deal with my feelings when there is pressure because if I want to win, I have to first win the battle with myself,’’ said Ratchanok.
The 2013 world champion added that she doesn’t have a concrete plan after Paris, but she’s not quite ready to put down the racquet just yet.
‘’I’ve been playing badminton since I was young, so I think I will keep going until I feel that I have had enough.
‘’I know my performance and my body, I will keep playing but not until the next Olympics. After that who knows, I might consider coaching as it would be a new experience for me to start from scratch,’’ she said.
