With light steps and swift movements, female badminton athlete, Tai Tzu-ying does not have the best physique, nevertheless, with her impeccable techniques, and outstanding control of badminton, she has conquered the world. The 23 year-old reached another level as she won two champions in the Summer Universiade this August. She is virtually the most popular athlete in Taiwan. At the beginning of October, she was chosen as one of the ten best young Taiwanese. She wishes to keep up the good work and introduce Taiwan to the world with her athletic power.
Tai Tzu-ying has ranked first place for 46 weeks. She has been a strong force since the latest Olympics. As the first Queen of badminton in Taiwan, she was first ranked first place in the world on the 1st of December last year. Due to the schedule clash, she quit the opportunity of 2017 BWF World Championships for the Summer Universiade, where she won both championships in women’s singles and doubles for Taiwan. Then she was chosen as one of the 10 best young Taiwanese in 2017. She is beyond honorable.
During the period of Summer Universiade, some people believed Tai Tzu-ying should not have given the BWF World Championships up for the Universiade, that she should chase bigger achievements. However, she believed that she should support the Universiade, and make more people interested in the event. When she saw the cheering crowds, she thought it to herself, that her decision was correct. “When the world knows Taiwan, sees Taiwan, falls in love with Taiwan, it’s a wonderful thing. Be selfless, let’s do something for Taiwan!”
Tai Tzu-ying’s speech was touching. She became trending overnight. Her Facebook followers increased from 150,000 to 320,000 people, which had outnumbered Baseball Superstar, Chen Wei-ying. Even President Tsai thanked her personally at the presidential office after the post competition demonstration, “Thank you for staying!” This moved Tai Tzu-ying greatly, she suggested that it was absolutely the right decision to stay.
At the end of last year, when Tai Tzu-ying became the Queen of badminton, the press referred to her as “the Genius Girl.” in fact, with the nickname of “Xiao-tai,” each brilliant strike and every thrilling victory are the results of long and tiresome sessions of practice with unimaginable sweats.
Tai Tzu-ying is known for her fake moves, for years, her fake moves have become part of her natural reaction. Whenever she’s in front of the net, she makes good use of the 0.5 second lagging to disguise her real intentions, and strikes at the second time. Her opponent usually falls into a passive situation due to misjudgment.
Many of her followers watch her matches are looking forward to seeing her magical fake moves. Famous Indian Athlete Saina Nehwal said she fears Tai Tzu-ying the most, because “You’ll never know her next move.” A commentator suggests, she’s an artist and the most creative badminton athlete. Former Olympics Gold Medal Winner, Li Xuerui always comments “Tai Tzu-ying makes me dizzy and tired like I’d never played with her.”
The purpose of fake moves is to interrupt opponent’s prediction and initiatives, the key is to strike unexpectedly, and to confuse. To achieve the maximum effect with the minimum efforts. She revealed, she doesn’t train fake moves, instead she focuses on basic movements and physical strength. She said, “Mastering the basics is mastering fake moves.”
Tai Tzu-ying acknowledged the fact that nowadays her opponents are usually aware of her fake movements, therefore, they would pay extra attention. This has weakened the damage, however, this doesn’t mean fake movements are no longer effective. She believes her current focus is to make cohesive movements, which enables fake moves to the fullest extent.
The 162-cm-tall athlete is almost 10 cm shorter than most of the best players. Therefore Tai Tzu-ying often lost when she played with tall professional opponents, especially with Chinese athletes, which made her resolute to make up for it with speed. At the beginning of last year, she began her workout plan. With the scientific advice from the National Sports Training Center, she actively lost weight, adjusting diet, strengthened her core muscles, and gained more strength and power.
After the muscle modification, Tai Tzu-ying lost 6 Kilograms, with a defined body. To her surprise she became faster and more precise. Which make her fake moves and attacks more powerful. The results of her modification had reflected on her scores directly.
According to an expert’s analysis, her extraordinary core strength after modification, supports her steady and rapid ability of cohesion. This has lowered the likelihood of her mistakes. Apart from batter control of her body, Tai’s ability has heightened. She used to make lots of mistakes after fast movements. The cost of scoring was too high. Now she sizes the best opportunity. With heightened attacks, she scores without running around too much.
5 years ago when she first visited London for the Olympics as a student, she doesn’t remember much, only thought she was the top 16, as she wished for. She was then beaten by the Olympics gold medal-winning Li Xuerui. Afterwards she went visiting London without much regrets about losing, or much emotions about being part of the Olympics.
Unfortunately, Tai Tzu-ying was again the 16th place at the Rio Olympics as her injuries before the match had limited her ability. This was a great setback to her as her performance was very much anticipated. She posted “The dream of taking a medal for Taiwan is very far away.” She admitted crying, after which she readjusted and thanked her followers.
Tai Tzu-ying revealed, “Only my family and friends know my emotional journey before the competitions. As for the details, I can’t reveal, just I didn’t win.” The text had stirred the Internet, it was about Tai Tzu-ying not wearing the sponsored shoes of a certain brand. Chinese Taipei Badminton Association threated to punish, while the public’s opinion was in favor of Tai Tzu-ying. Which ended with the resignation of Chairman Tsai Hong-pong.
Tai Tzu-ying was unstoppable after the Olympics. Since the last October, she had won in a row, including the Hong Kong Super Series, the All England Open Badminton Championships, the Singapore Super Series, and Badminton Asia Championships. With the exception of the Indonesia Open, where she had a fever and stopped breaking records of 27 wins.
After the Universiade, Tai Tzu-ying was once limited by her previous injuries in her shoulders, resulting in her failing at the second round at the Korea Open, and her dropping out at Japan Open. Fans are expecting to see Tai Tzu-ying at the upcoming Denmark Open. Tai Tzu-ying will continue to shine in international badminton courts and make a name for Taiwan.
Source : taiwanngo.tw
Tai Tzu Ying Forever 