Japan women singles shuttler Akane Yamaguchi in action against Hong Kong’s Yeung Sum Yee during the group match of Uber Cup Finals at Hi-Tech Sports Centre in Chengdu, China on Monday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
CHENGDU: Six years ago, shuttler Akane Yamaguchi was only 20 when she played a starring role in Japan’s triumph in the Uber Cup Finals.
Yamaguchi played in the first singles and helped end her country’s 48-year-wait for the team title in Bangkok.
She continued to shine on the world stage and captured back-to-back world titles in 2021 and 2022 among numerous other accolades but believes winning the Uber Cup still remains one of her best memories and is out to help her team repeat the success.
“Winning team titles is always special no matter how many individual titles you get,” said Yamaguchi, who is currently ranked No. 4 in the world.
“It was a great feeling when we won the title six years ago as Japan had not won for so long.
“I hope to help the team win again this time. That’s the team’s aim.
“Everyone has to do well for us to win and hopefully we can do it again,” added Yamaguchi.
Fellow singles player Nozomi Okuhara is the only other surviving member of the 2018 team in the current squad.
Japan also have world No. 11 Aya Ohori and rising teenager Tomoka Miyazaki in their ranks in the singles.
The team also have enviable strength in the doubles with world No. 4 Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida, world No. 7 Mayu Matsumoto-Wakana Nagahara and Rena Miyaura-Ayako Sakuramoto (No. 11).
Japan though will face a tough challenge from the likes of 15-time winners and homesters China and defending champions South Korea.
Japan booked their spot in the last eight after easily swatting aside Hong Kong and minnows Uganda in their first two Group C matches. They face Indonesia next in their last group match.
