KUALA LUMPUR: Carrying the nation’s hopes in big tournaments at the age of 18 can be overwhelming but rising star Tomoka Miyazaki (pic) is welcoming the challenge.
World No. 11 Miyazaki was Japan’s top women’s singles player in the Malaysian Open after world No. 3 and 2023 winner Akane Yamaguchi withdrew from the tournament and Aya Ohori retired last year.
Yesterday, the youngster battled hard before going down 15-21, 21-14, 21-16 to Denmark’s world No. 27 Mia Blichfeldt at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
Miyazaki, though, was not too worried by the defeat as she did not have the luxury of time to prepare for the tournament after competing and winning the national title in Japan last month.
“I’m not worried as I didn’t prepare much for this tournament after participating in the National Championships in Japan last month,” said Miyazaki.
“I want to keep challenging the top players in the world. I don’t feel too much pressure and I don’t think much about my ranking in the national team.
“I’m still lacking experience but I’m improving as I play more high level matches and I hope to continue my progress.”
Miyazaki’s rise in a short period has been nothing short of remarkable.
The Osaka-born lass captured gold in the 2022 World Junior Championships and has transitioned smoothly into senior level.
Miyazaki captured the Orleans Masters title and finished runner-up to world No. 2 homester Wang Zhiyi in the China Open last year.
In the China tourney, Miyazaki showed that she has what it takes to take over from two-time world champion Yamaguchi in the future after sensationally beating the latter in the last four.
She also pulled off huge upsets over India’s P.V. Sindhu and Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon, who are both former world title winners.
Miyazaki is setting her sights on the World Championships in August next.
