After a two-year title drought, Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota, better known as ‘Fukuhiro’ to their devoted fans, found their winning form at the Badminton Asia Championships last month. With renewed confidence, they set their sights on the Sudirman Cup, a tournament that has eluded Japan’s grasp thus far.
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A Quest for Glory
Japan has never claimed victory at the Sudirman Cup, but Fukushima and Hirota remain undeterred. Their recent success in Dubai bolstered their hopes, and they approached the tournament with a sense of determination and focus.
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“We know Japan have never won the Sudirman Cup,” said Hirota. “We just want to do our best when we get on court. Before coming here, we had a team camp, and we are focused on doing well. We gained a lot of confidence from our win in Dubai, and we hope we can keep going.”
Overcoming Challenges
Prior to their triumph in Dubai, Fukushima and Hirota’s last title victory was at the Denmark Open in October 2020. Their chances at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were dashed when Hirota suffered an injury. Although they returned to the court by the end of the year, it took them until June 2022 to reach another final, which was the Indonesia Open.
However, this year, their consistency soared. They reached the title rounds of the Indonesia Masters and the Swiss Open before finally clinching victory in Dubai.
“We are very happy to win the Badminton Asia Championships; it meant a great deal to us,” said Fukushima. “We last won a title nearly three years ago, and we lost a few finals. We want to keep our rhythm, keep playing at a high level.”
A Resilient Spirit
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Despite the rankings shifting against them during Hirota’s recovery period, Fukushima and Hirota remained unfazed. Their focus was on their own improvement and avoiding further injuries.
“We just kept our focus on getting better,” said Fukushima. “We were keen on avoiding further injury. Many pairs are getting stronger, but we weren’t worried about them; instead, we kept our focus on ourselves.”
The win in Dubai has made a world of difference, providing them with an added boost of confidence as they progress in their badminton careers.
FAQs
Q: Has Japan ever won the Sudirman Cup?
A: No, Japan has never won the Sudirman Cup, but Fukushima and Hirota are determined to change that.
Q: What was Fukushima and Hirota’s most recent title before Dubai?
A: Their last title before Dubai was at the Denmark Open in October 2020.
Q: How did Fukushima and Hirota handle their rankings drop during Hirota’s recovery?
A: They remained focused on their own improvement and were not concerned about other pairs surpassing them.
Conclusion
Fukushima and Hirota’s victory at the Badminton Asia Championships revitalized their spirits. With their eyes set on the Sudirman Cup, they aim to create history for Japan in the world of badminton. Their journey showcases the resilience and determination required to overcome challenges and achieve greatness in the sport they love.
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