Two titles in two weeks – Marin is on a fabulous winning streak – will she stay fit enough to challenge for a podium spot at this summer’s Olympics? The threat she poses to the Fab Four is real.
Photo courtesy of Rachel Drew.
After their recent All England win, CAI Yun analyzed some elements of their game and compared them to their rivals. He pointed out that as a three-time world champion and current Olympic champion, she had nothing to prove at the major tournaments. This can relieve her of the pressure that many top athletes suffer and allow her to play freely.
Spain has world-class tennis players, but no great badminton tradition. Her incredible career successes put her at the center of the women’s singles world, but culturally she was often somewhat on the fringes. Her partnership with coach Fernando Rivas is crucial as they were both outsiders – without any conventions – who were open to using new methods to achieve success.
Fitness will play a crucial role in the outcome of the women’s singles tournament in Paris. Their main rivals for Olympic medals are all struggling with injuries. Akane has just returned to competition, TTY mentioned hamstring issues, AN Se Young’s knee is a bit questionable, and CHEN YuFei has ongoing pain. Who can maintain their physical condition to compete for Olympic glory? Carolina has successfully recovered from two career-threatening ACL injuries and has the emotional strength to carry on. Our tribute must be paid to the team behind her who keeps her motivated even on dark days and in the gym.
I’m always fascinated by their behavior on the pitch. CAI Yun also mentioned this. She has mastered the art of psyops and has been given permission by the badminton establishment to push the boundaries of behavior towards her opponent. She can be quite intimidating; If she were a lawyer, I would want her on my defense team.
Everyone knows their slightly annoying calls, but there are other tactics that can disrupt the momentum of a game. Drying with a towel and asking to wipe up the dish are completely legitimate in my opinion, but there is an indeterminate point at which it becomes “too much.” That’s the crux of the matter – if no one is willing to say what’s too much, why criticize a player for adding it to their armor?
The shuttle is another weapon that Marin uses. It is never “out of play,” even when the point is resolved. Often it is not thrown directly back at the opponent, but rather thrown to the side. Even small things that stop the progress of a game can become immensely powerful.
Marin is on the edge of history. She has the mental toughness to push past everyone and cement her legacy as one of badminton’s all-time greats.
Many thanks to Rene Biaoli (from https://badmintoniacs.wordpress.com) for kindly translating CAI Yun’s thoughts on Marin’s recent All England win. Thank you to Rachel Drew for permission to use her photo of Carolina.
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