Carolina’s sacrifice bears fruit

OLYMPIC champion Carolina Marin believes that a strong working team is what is needed to be a top athlete.

Born and raised in Spain where badminton is nowhere in comparison to sports like football, motorsport and cycling, she managed to win the World Championships title not once but twice (2014, 2015) before winning top prize in Rio de Janeiro last year.

On what is her secret, the 24-year-old said: “I don’t think there is any secret. I have a good team of people with me including my two coaches, physiotherapist and psychologist who share the same goals and we work hard towards it.

“I don’t have any sparring partners, because the two guys I train with in Madrid are also national singles players. We only have 12 players and all of them are singles.

“I think our government also supports us well. Of course we don’t have a lot of money but we make do with what we have.”

Carolina, who is now No 3 in the world, added that sacrifice is another key ingredient to staying on top.

“One of my biggest sacrifices is moving away from my family 10 years ago. Ever since then I have been based in Madrid. It’s not easy, but it’s something I had to do if I want to be good. I just train hard and maintain a very good relationship with my team and that is something that has brought me here.”

Back in Kuching for the Malaysia Open this week, the 2015 champion who plays Hong Kong’s Yip Pui Yin in the opening round today, is an ambassador for Spanish football league La Liga.

It is an initiative to see both sports work hand in hand to reach a wider audience both in Europe and Asia where badminton is big.