Culture - Sports

Vietnamese badminton star aims to compete at Olympics for fourth time

Vietnamese badminton star Nguyen Tien Minh is targeting a spot at the Tokyo Olympics, hoping to make it his fourth appearance at the games.
Vietnamese badminton star aims to compete at Olympics for fourth time ảnh 1Nguyen Tien Minh will continue seeking his fourth Olympic spot by taking part in the Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters in Bangkok from January 21-26 (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnamesebadminton star Nguyen Tien Minh is targeting a spot at the Tokyo Olympics,hoping to make it his fourth appearance at the games.

Minh, 36, is the only Vietnamese player who has taken part in three Olympictournaments since the 2008 Bejing Games.

His outstanding career has made him the national No 1 in badminton for morethan two decades.

Minh is currently No 52 in the world and his Olympics’ qualified ranking is No24. If he could maintain his position until April 30, he will be heading toJapan.

“2020 Olympics is an important competition. I will try my best to win a placethere. This year, I have also set a target for myself to be in the world top 30too,” said Minh.

“I have had successful tournaments in 2019 which bring me a lot of points forthe world ranking. Currently I have about 70 per cent chance to take part.”

Minh won three international titles at the YonexNorth Harbour International, the Yonex Waikato International, both in NewZealand, and the Logas International Badminton Classics in Nigeria.

He also advanced tothe semi-final of the Je Wilson International Series in Ghana andquarter-finals of four different tournaments including the Vietnam Open.

His best result ofthe year was a bronze medal at the Asian championship in April. It was thefirst time a Vietnamese had reached the top three of the continentalcompetition.

Minh was also thefirst Vietnamese athlete to finish third at the world championship in 2013.

He is the onlyathlete to enter world top 10 in 2009-12 and his highest position was No 4 in2010.

To improve his worldranking, Minh has to take part in between 12-14 international tournaments peryear. To maintain the current position, he needs to play in a number of othertournaments before the end of April.

He will start his2020 at the Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters in Bangkok from January21-26./.
VNA
#badminton#Nguyen Tien Minh#Tokyo Olympics#Yonex North Harbour International#Yonex Waikato International#Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters#updated Vietnam news#Vietnamplus#Vietnam News Agency
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