At the beginning of any new year, there is always an opportunity to turn over a new leaf and set some new personal goals and targets. This is no different for badminton players and Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen shares his.
Nhat Nguyen had a year to remember in 2021, mixing it up with the world’s best. The 2018 European Junior bronze medallist scored some big wins, namely against two top Indian players, Srikanth Kidambi, the eventual World silver medallist and H. S. Prannoy.
Nguyen proudly wore the green, white and gold of his country at the Tokyo Olympic Games and picked up a win against Niluka Karunaratne and pushed Wang Tzu Wei to three games in group F.
Spurred on by this, he reached the quarterfinals of the Dutch Open, losing to the man of the moment Loh Kean Yew and scored a final four finish at the Irish Open. Ending the year, the Irishman narrowly missed out on a World Championship quarterfinal.
Having tasted this level, Nguyen looks to 2022 for more.
-I’d like to be more consistent with my results in 2022 to reach the top 32 in the rankings so I can complete in the highest-level tournaments regularly.
Starts in India
Much like the beginning of 2021, 2022 begins with back-to-back tournaments in the same country. Players fly into New Delhi for the India Open, before travelling south-east to Lucknow for the Syed Modi International.
Nguyen is due to play local favourite, India’s Ajay Jayaram.
-It will be a tough game for sure because he has a lot of nice skills but I’m definitely looking forward to the challenge.
A hell of a match
The end of year finale, the World Championships in Huelva, Spain, saw Nguyen win against England’s Toby Penty and then partake in one of the matches of the week, going toe-to-toe with China’s Zhao Jun Peng, 19-21, 21-19, 18-21.
-Huelva was a really good week for me since I did not have the best preparation going in but I just wanted to give my all for the last tournament of the year. Disappointed not to make the quarterfinals but it was a hell of a match and I only learn and improve from those matches and hopefully come out the winner next time.