Source: Oriental Image/Zheng Hongliang
[Saba Sports News] The recently concluded 2024
French Badminton Open showcased impressive performances from Japanese women’s
doubles pairs. Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida, ranked fifth in the world,
reached the semifinals, while Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara, ranked
eighth, advanced to the finals. However, the combination of Yuki Fukushima and
Hirota Sayaka did not make it to the top 8, and their Olympic qualification
hopes are slim due to the lower Olympic points they earned compared to the
other two pairs. Hirota Ayaka has faced challenges in her journey to the Paris
Olympics. She suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee
during the Indian Grand Prix in December of the previous year. Initially, she
planned to undergo surgery, but she surprised everyone by deciding to forgo
surgery and compete in the Olympic points competition despite her injury,
risking her sports career. At the 2024 French Open, her left leg was heavily
protected, significantly impacting her movement and attack. Given her
condition, it is challenging for Hirota to compete with Fukushima Yuki for an
Olympic spot. Perhaps that is why she couldn’t hold back tears during the
interview.