01 August 2024
Badminton England prodigy Leona Lee hailed the assist of her dad and mom in aiding her rise within the sport as she units her sights on a spot on the LA 2028 Olympic Video games.
Lee, 19, has emerged as one of many nation’s hottest prospects in badminton and has not regarded again since absolutely committing to the game, opting to pursue sporting glory full-time after leaving college.
It was a choice that she feared would draw the ire of her dad and mom – however her mom and badminton-crazy father have solely acted because the wind beneath her wings, backing her absolutely in her early journey.
“My dad and mom really wished me to do badminton,” Lee stated. “I’d have thought that they’re extra strict on schooling as Asian dad and mom, however they have been like, ‘I would like you to do badminton’ and it wasn’t that large of a problem, which is sweet.
“Having my dad and mom assist me in what I wish to do is the principle motive I’m right here.”
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Badminton is considerably of a household affair for Lee, who was launched to the game by her dad, a coach within the sport.
She has since gone on to thrive in competitions, profitable the Iberdrola Spanish Worldwide in 2023 after coming second within the Danish Junior Cup that very same 12 months.
Her dad has stayed at her aspect all through her journey, along with his affect nonetheless appearing as essential to her development.
“My dad first began teaching different gamers after which he wished me to get into it, and he started to educate me after I was seven,” she added. “I simply began enjoying tournaments and issues from then.
“My mum doesn’t actually play however my sister used to play – we used to play doubles collectively. She didn’t actually wish to do it anymore after which she give up, however I simply continued doing it and my dad has been teaching me since.
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“He motivates me to do what I wish to do, like, he helps every part – like at tournaments, he comes to educate me.”
With Lee rapidly rising up the ranks, she just isn’t wanting ambition and is already hoping to be competing amongst the perfect on the LA Olympics in 4 years’ time.
That stated, she just isn’t resting on her laurels and is ready to place within the onerous graft to understand her badminton goals.
“I wish to go to the 2028 Olympics and in addition play within the Commonwealth Video games and get the medals,” she stated. “I believe if I proceed what I’m doing, then I hope I get there.
“I must clearly work onerous, prepare actually onerous and never quit as a result of it’s fairly a protracted course of nonetheless. So even when it’s going robust, I should be resilient and know that the method might be price it.”
Photograph courtesy of BadmintonPhoto.
