Source:
REUTERS/IVAN ALVARADO
[Saba
Sports News] In the recently concluded 2023 China Masters, Vietnamese badminton
star Nguyen Thuy Linh achieved a significant victory in the first round by
defeating three-time world champion Spanish player Carolina Marina. This marked
the first time in Linh’s career that she overcame an opponent ranked 15 places
higher than her in the world rankings. Carolina Marina, the Spanish badminton
star, is highly regarded in the badminton community. She secured a gold medal
at the 2016 Rio Olympics and claimed world championship titles in 2014, 2015,
and 2018. Despite her reputation and fierce playing style, Carolina faltered
after winning the first set and eventually succumbed to Linh’s composed
counterattacks. Following the match, Linh publicly expressed her gratitude to
her coach during an interview with the media. She credited her coach’s patient
guidance, which helped her maintain composure, avoid being swayed by her
opponent, and find her own path amidst the confusion.