“I’m simply going to purely take pleasure in badminton”
Akane in a latest article by Dev Sukumar. Courtesy BWF
Watching a revitalized Akane win back-to-back tournaments in Denmark and France has been one of many highlights of the previous couple of weeks.
She has been the standout participant on the circuit just lately. While some have struggled with the relentless stress of a number of competitions since Tokyo 2020, she has flourished.
Sudirman & Uber Cup
Akane was on the coronary heart of Japan’s success within the workforce competitions in Vantaa and Aarhus. Two silver medals don’t do justice to her immense contribution. Each occasions Japan misplaced within the closing to China, however each occasions she chalked up victories in opposition to CHEN Yu Fei in straight units. There was an all-consuming depth to those video games. She seldom made errors and as she upped the tempo of the match CYF struggled to seek out scoring alternatives as a result of her rival’s courtroom protection was formidable. Distinction this to their earlier assembly in the identical competitors (Sudirman Cup 2019) and her enchancment is obvious. The following time these two face one another over a internet goes to be superior.
Victor Denmark Open: October 2021
Within the Uber Cup AN Se Younger was the one participant to unpick Akane’s defence (in two units) and so this closing was a chance to see what impact the loss had had upon her Japanese foe. The primary set was managed by ASY; regardless of a closely strapped thigh her motion was fluid and dominant. The second set started in a lot the identical approach with Yamaguchi struggling to summon up the vitality to place any fizz on the shuttle; she was making errors too and there appeared to be an inevitability to the Korean’s advance to the highest of the rostrum. By 16-16 Akane was preventing desperately to remain within the match: diving, scrambling, scrapping and simply giving every little thing to remain in competition. 18-18. 19-19. A match level to ASY got here and went amidst exhausting rallies. The rating reached 23-23 earlier than Akane was capable of get the factors wanted to shut it out 25-23. Ominously, within the interval, ASY ripped off her strapping and known as for the physician for the second time.
The third set was a narrative of triumph and tragedy. Because it started, it was apparent that the Korean was much less clean in her actions. With the rating in opposition to her at 3-7 she was crimson carded for ‘delay’ however successfully she was attempting to work out whether or not she may proceed and at 16-5 down she admitted defeat.
No-one ever needs to win a title in these circumstances, however Akane’s triumph was based mostly on perseverance and her emphatic refusal to concede the sport within the second set. AN Se Younger missed her alternative to win when she did not convert her match level. Akane was very brave in Set 2 since she dedicated every little thing to these lengthy rallies; her grit paid off as ASY wilted beneath the grueling examination of her stamina. This was an enchanting duel.
Yonex French Open 2021
Yamaguchi’s European success continued along with her title win in opposition to compatriot Sayaka Takahashi in Paris. A straight units victory, this was somewhat extra easy however there aren’t any simple video games at this stage. Akane’s top-quality defence and stamina successfully neutralized her opponent’s risk; Takahashi stayed with the momentum at first, however she was compelled to chop her margins and go for the road so, as she drained, errors crept into her recreation. The ultimate rating was 21-18, 21-12.
Conclusions
Again in July 2019 Akane Yamaguchi was world #1 – albeit briefly – however later suffered coaching disruption and a few shock defeats owing to niggly accidents. In frequent with many within the Japanese workforce there have been substantial expectations on her shoulders when the Olympics started however she was unable to make a big affect. Now I believe she has revisited her motivation to compete and it has given her a recent outlook. Her epic battle with AN Se Younger for the Denmark title showcased her never-ending resilience and phenomenal courtroom protection; I hope we get the possibility to see loads extra clashes between these two. As one of the vital lovable athletes on the tour loads of followers might be cheering her on to extra podium finishes. The Bali bubble beckons and she will journey to Indonesia with loads of confidence that she might be making a giant impression.
You might wish to learn Dev Sukumar’s BWF article https://bwfworldtour.bwfbadminton.com/information/?pyear=2021&pmonth=10 or check out my earlier piece about her https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2019/08/09/japans-akane-yamaguchi-hotter-than-july/
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