It has been a unprecedented 12 months: alternating between feast and famine because the gamers enter bubbles for intense intervals of competitors after which exit to get better. These are my biased, sentimental, affectionate awards for 2021.
Participant of the 12 months: TAI Tzu Ying
In 2021 we’ve got watched this impulsive free spirit affirm her status among the many greats of the world recreation. Excellent technical expertise and artistic genius typically elevate her pictures to artworks. A key goal this 12 months has been to step up her efficiency on the Olympics and World Championships so profitable Silver at each is a major enchancment. She has stayed recent and comparatively harm free by specializing in only some tournaments and she or he has been ever-present within the finals. The excellent news is that we are able to count on to see her on court docket in 2022 as the specter of retirement appears to have been placed on maintain in the meanwhile.
Runners Up: CHEN Yufei for her error-free seize of Olympic Gold and Akane Yamaguchi who has been indefatigable and a worthy World Champion.
Greatest Competitor: Greysia Polii
The breathtaking Gold in Tokyo was a sensational, momentous achievement. In fact, Apriyani Rahayu had a major position within the victory, however I need to spotlight Greysia. Though retirement seemed to be on the horizon she was decided to not fade quietly into the background. A final Olympics, a final probability to get on the rostrum and boy did she seize it. Congratulations Greysia, all the time one among my favorite gamers
XD Participant of the 12 months: HUANG Dongping & Sapsiree Taerattanachai
I can’t select between these two sensible gamers. HUANG Dong Ping’s Gold on the Olympics was magnificent; the ultimate was a wonderful tie between 4 gifted athletes. She is courageous, has nice reflexes and is adept at utilizing the flat recreation to aggressive benefit. Popor has additionally loved a surprising 12 months, profitable eight titles, and – apart from the Olympics – she and Bass have dominated the XD scene. Their bodily resilience and psychological power are second to none. Apparently each stand-out gamers compete efficiently in WD as properly.
Greatest Pair: Nami Matsuyama & Chiharu Shida
It’s been fascinating to look at their enchancment not too long ago; the leap from Tremendous 100/300 as much as the highest ranges has been harmonious and their upwards momentum received nice rewards on the Indonesian Competition of Badminton. Possibly the Japanese ‘home model’ is evolving as a result of they’re extra aggressive and extra prepared to attempt to seize the initiative than we count on. Each work laborious, assist one another and clearly get pleasure from their matches.
Runners Up: Greysia Polii & Apriyani Rahayu – seeing my two favourites get Gold on the Olympics is one among my finest badminton moments ever.
Parabadminton participant of the 12 months: Leani Ratri Oktila
Gold, Gold, Silver on the Tokyo Paralympic video games – at Parabadminton’s debut the world #1 was completely dominant.
If He Was A Lady I’d Give Him An Award Too: Viktor Axelsen
A 12 months packed stuffed with achievements – bravo Viktor!
Conclusions
These are simply a few of the folks I’ve beloved to look at in 2021: it’s simply my subjective opinion, I can’t fake that I’ve spent any time evaluating the stats. The Olympics and the match bubbles have made this 12 months distinctive. Some have thrived however accidents and withdrawals from tournaments have been widespread; let’s hope for much less of a treadmill in 2022. There have been so many highlights (which I’ll cowl in my Evaluation of the 12 months) so I wish to thank all of the gamers and everybody from the badminton group for making this such a memorable twelve months.
©2022 Amanda Bloss All Rights Reserved
