YEO GAINING MOMENTUM

S’porean wants to play freely’ and have no regrets after she progresses to last 16

- David Lee

Three years after she bade a tearful farewell to Tokyo 2020 following a group-stage exit, Yeo Jia Min has become the first Singaporean badminton player to reach the Olympics round of 16 since 2012.

On July 30, the world No. 20 eased past Mauritius' 93rd-ranked Kate Foo Kune 21-12, 21-6 at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena to progress as the Group I winner in the women's singles. That came after a victory over refugee Dorsa Yavarivafa three days earlier.

Yeo will face 10th-ranked Aya Ohori on Aug 1 for a place in the quarter-finals. But while she has not beaten the Japanese in three tries, the 25-year-old hopes that a new outlook can provide a different result.

The former junior world No. 1 has had to battle niggling injuries, but said she has grown stronger physically and mentally over the years.

She added: "Tokyo was my first Olympics and I remember being very nervous and I wasn't fully fit. This time, I try to be more calm and stay in the zone.

"I feel I'm more calculated in terms of when to attack and defend. I read situations better now, which will be useful against a stronger opponent next. She is an attacking player and I will need to prepare a good strategy for her.