To start with, I intend for this thread to be about my expertise as a participant. For discussions about rules relating to transgender gamers, there already exists a thread.
Second, my expertise popping out has been very nice. I’ve not had any adverse expertise with my group and the golf equipment I play at. In relation to competitors, I’m persevering with to play within the mens league, though I current feminine. The league has been contacted and has stated it should not be an issue.
I began hormone alternative remedy at the beginning of March 2024. On the time of this put up I’m 7+ months into HRT. I shunned posting to this point as a result of I used to be not out socially (not less than not on badminton circles), and this account is considerably identifiable. Nonetheless, actually earlier in the present day I got here out on the final place I hadn’t but and so under are some video recordings from earlier than I began HRT up to a couple weeks in the past at 7 months.
Sorry in regards to the white partitions. Additionally notice that it’s all the time the identical opponent, as a result of he data his video games. I am simply fortunate to play him for a few of these. I am sporting the purple shirt.
Pre-HRT:
5 Months HRT:
7 Months HRT. Black shorts on this one.
The principle distinction in comparison with earlier than is stamina. I really feel like I’ve misplaced some velocity of motion, however not lots. I feel my prime velocity remains to be fairly near what it was, however the length of how lengthy I can play at that prime velocity is drastically diminished. If I may go full blast for 5-8 factors earlier than, now I can barely handle 1-2. This has had a drastic impact on how I play. Whereas earlier than I used to be attempting to outpace my opponent, now I am attempting to sluggish the sport down so I can final until the tip. I get drained a lot quicker than earlier than. Whereas it’s sure that I’ve misplaced muscle, I’ve additionally gained about 6 kilograms since March additionally on account of HRT, so it’s tough to guage to what extent my stamina loss is because of muscle atrophy in comparison with simply being heavier. Doubtless the two compound one another.
I do not really feel like I’ve misplaced a lot on full energy photographs. If I’m on steadiness, and I’ve the time for the complete motion, I am hitting near as exhausting as I did earlier than. What is far diminished is short-hitting-action-power-shots. That is really far more noticeable in doubles, however almost all wrist-smashes (or nonetheless you need to name it), have been changed with drops. I was very smash-happy, however now I am smashing a lot much less, solely going for it if I am in a superb place.
Now that I can’t sustainably outpace my opponents (and even sustain in some cases), I’ve observed that it’s completely important that I keep accountable for the rally. Earlier than, I may play with extra abandon, taking part in very aggressive and never worrying about getting out of place or off steadiness, as a result of I may largely get better on account of sheer physicality. Now, I can’t afford to lose my steadiness or get out of place as a result of I’ll merely lose. As a result of I’m pressured to play slower, I’m intently taking part in with smaller margins to forestall the opponent from gaining a bonus, and I really feel like my shot high quality has improved and has gotten extra constant. I am additionally taking part in many extra backhands in comparison with earlier than, and my excessive backhand is certainly my most improved shot.
I am taking part in my opponent’s again court docket extra. I really feel like if I keep in after a internet shot to cowl or assault my opponent’s return, I’ve extra hassle overlaying the again court docket within the case of a carry (or not less than do not have sufficient time to have a bonus). And if I am unable to keep in sufficient to realize a bonus, then I doubtless have higher possibilities by placing stress on my opponent’s again court docket. Equally, I’ve switched nearly completely to a excessive serve as a result of it’s simpler to defend the return. I simply have to fret a couple of potential smash, however normally my outcomes with a excessive serve are higher. I really feel like in opposition to a participant that performs aggressive off my quick serve, I’ve hassle overlaying all the things persistently.
My outcomes have not modified an excessive amount of. Usually I’m extra reliant on my opponent to make errors. Earlier than, I may power factors off my opponents. If the rating was tight, or I am behind, I might simply give extra power, play quicker, play tougher, and power the purpose. I can’t try this anymore, or not less than not sufficient. In opposition to sure gamers my outcomes have suffered far more than in opposition to others. A sure older participant has enhance his scores in opposition to me considerably. He’s very constant and strikes nicely. Earlier than, I may merely outpace him for comfy wins. Now, the scores are often very shut and I am beginning to lose to him generally. My outcomes in opposition to the participant within the movies really have not suffered an excessive amount of, if in any respect, since I’ve all the time relied on consistency to win in opposition to him. I really received that final match (7monthsHRT). The sport plan hasn’t modified; do not let him smash and watch for errors, the rest I get by attacking is a bonus.
Anyway, that is the place I’m proper now. I really feel that as my bodily functionality retains declining, I’ll get to some extent the place I will not be capable of compensate for it. I am pleasantly stunned by my continued constant outcomes, however I am feeling increasingly that I’m much less accountable for the result of a match, and extra on the mercy of my opponent’s kind on the day.
If anybody has any recommendation relating to my particular state of affairs, please share. If anybody has any questions on related issues I failed to say, please ask. I might prefer to maintain the main target totally on the badminton facet of my transition, however I’ll reply different questions as long as they’re applicable.
I’ll proceed to put up updates with movies as I purchase them, not less than till I really feel that my degree has stabilized, which, based on the literature, ought to take between 1 and a pair of years.
