Junior National Article
Junior Nationals
By the time this issue of The Flick hits the stands, the 2008 U.S. Junior Nationals will be finished. This years Juniors consisted of a total of 259 players from 10 different states, competing over six long days of competition. Although I was thrilled to see a large number of junior players who were not from Southern California, I was saddened by the lack of representation from the Midwest. I counted only eight players coming from Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. I know there were some juniors who were not able to make it this year, and I hope that they will come next year to Marblehead, MA. I would also like to praise the Midwest for being the only region to fund two athletes to travel to Junior Nationals.
As a junior player I always looked forward to Junior Nationals and set high goals for myself. It was the tournament I trained for all year, and that our junior club saved up money to send a group of us to wherever the tournament was located. Junior Nationals allows players a chance to see how they stand against others their age, meet new athletes both older and younger, get good match experience, and just plain enjoy playing badminton. At the tournament, awards are presented to High School players for achievement and to one athlete in U-19 for sportsmanship, character, and achievement. I believe both of these awards are something every junior should work towards and hope to bring home someday.
While training over the past month, I bumped into one particular junior player who has stood out to me since last year at Junior Nationals. I believe she is a great example for juniors and I hope she inspires you as much as she inspired me. This particular junior began her career at the age of 6, telling me, “my coach wanted me to join because I was good.” Now, she trains for 3-6 hours a day, 6-7 days a week. Or at least she does in the summer when she is not in school. She competes in all three events and competed in all three at Junior Nationals this year. Her short-term goal is to perform well at Juniors, and her long-term goal is to be the number one seed in a future tournament. She hopes to one day be as good as the other top Junior athletes.
While I was interviewing her, we were interrupted, she had to go train more. I smiled at her dedication to train, even after we had finished a two-hour practice. Most other players were heading home. I asked her prior to Junior Nationals, what she would do afterwards if she did not play well at the tournament? She simply said she would have to train harder and have more private lessons. She knew that she could only get better by training harder, which was necessary if she wanted to achieve her goals. I also asked her why she liked to play so much? She told me, “’cause I’m crazy for badminton.” Crystal is 9 years old, and one of the most enthusiastic players I have seen around. Although she may not bring home three gold medals every year, that does not stop her from competing in Junior Nationals and trying her best.
I understand that many Midwest badminton players do not have the court time, coaches, money, and resources that a lot of other U.S. badminton players have. But that should never stop you as an athlete. Dedicated, hard-working athletes can always find a way to achieve their goals. What impresses me most about Crystal, this 9-year-old badminton player, is not the fact that she trains like crazy, or that she is talented, or that I believe she could be an Olympian some day. What impresses me most about her is her love, dedication, and work ethic for the sport. She is “crazy about it” and it shows. I asked her for some advice to give to other junior players, and this is what she said, “even if it’s 0-20, still keep up your courage.” I hope all of you can take a piece of her attitude towards the sport, and hopefully put it towards training for next years Junior Nationals, Collegiate Nationals, or Adult Nationals. Every goal you set in life takes work, but when you enjoy the process it makes all your effort that much more worth it.
As a junior player I always looked forward to Junior Nationals and set high goals for myself. It was the tournament I trained for all year, and that our junior club saved up money to send a group of us to wherever the tournament was located. Junior Nationals allows players a chance to see how they stand against others their age, meet new athletes both older and younger, get good match experience, and just plain enjoy playing badminton. At the tournament, awards are presented to High School players for achievement and to one athlete in U-19 for sportsmanship, character, and achievement. I believe both of these awards are something every junior should work towards and hope to bring home someday.
While training over the past month, I bumped into one particular junior player who has stood out to me since last year at Junior Nationals. I believe she is a great example for juniors and I hope she inspires you as much as she inspired me. This particular junior began her career at the age of 6, telling me, “my coach wanted me to join because I was good.” Now, she trains for 3-6 hours a day, 6-7 days a week. Or at least she does in the summer when she is not in school. She competes in all three events and competed in all three at Junior Nationals this year. Her short-term goal is to perform well at Juniors, and her long-term goal is to be the number one seed in a future tournament. She hopes to one day be as good as the other top Junior athletes.
While I was interviewing her, we were interrupted, she had to go train more. I smiled at her dedication to train, even after we had finished a two-hour practice. Most other players were heading home. I asked her prior to Junior Nationals, what she would do afterwards if she did not play well at the tournament? She simply said she would have to train harder and have more private lessons. She knew that she could only get better by training harder, which was necessary if she wanted to achieve her goals. I also asked her why she liked to play so much? She told me, “’cause I’m crazy for badminton.” Crystal is 9 years old, and one of the most enthusiastic players I have seen around. Although she may not bring home three gold medals every year, that does not stop her from competing in Junior Nationals and trying her best.
I understand that many Midwest badminton players do not have the court time, coaches, money, and resources that a lot of other U.S. badminton players have. But that should never stop you as an athlete. Dedicated, hard-working athletes can always find a way to achieve their goals. What impresses me most about Crystal, this 9-year-old badminton player, is not the fact that she trains like crazy, or that she is talented, or that I believe she could be an Olympian some day. What impresses me most about her is her love, dedication, and work ethic for the sport. She is “crazy about it” and it shows. I asked her for some advice to give to other junior players, and this is what she said, “even if it’s 0-20, still keep up your courage.” I hope all of you can take a piece of her attitude towards the sport, and hopefully put it towards training for next years Junior Nationals, Collegiate Nationals, or Adult Nationals. Every goal you set in life takes work, but when you enjoy the process it makes all your effort that much more worth it.
