SHAH ALAM – For K. Letshanaa, the numbers on the world rankings board hold little sway over a shuttler’s performance on the badminton court.
The 21-year-old national women’s singles player, who boasts two Sudirman Cup bronze medals, firmly believes that success is an outcome of team effort and individual dedication.
As the Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) commences at the Setia City Convention Centre today, Letshanaa remains steadfast in her conviction that a strong showing from the Malaysian women’s team will naturally translate to success.
“Ranking is just a number. Once we step onto the court, it’s player against player. Anything can happen on the court and our performance speaks for itself.
“So I hope for my teammates, and myself, to relax and focus on showing our efforts without being bogged down by rankings.
“Overthinking only adds unnecessary stress and pressure, hence also making us think that we are not good enough,” said Letshanaa when met after the test court session at Setia City yesterday.
With her current world ranking of 56, Letshanaa hopes a commendable performance in the tournament will not only elevate her standing but also contribute to the team’s overall position.
Confident in their abilities, Letshanaa is optimistic about the team’s prospects in the group matches of the BATC.
“As we face off against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in our opening match, I believe we can progress smoothly and quickly adapt to the court conditions and carry that momentum forward into subsequent matches in the group.
“We also have the confidence to win against Thailand. A victory against them will boost us to enter the quarterfinals and devise new strategies to progress in the next round,” she added.
With a blend of experienced seniors and promising juniors, Letshanaa is hopeful that their collective camaraderie and past tournament experience will stand them in good stead.
“Our plan now is to rest and recover as we await for our first game on Wednesday. We can’t overexert ourselves in training sessions,” she added.
The women’s team is placed in Group Y with third-seeded Thailand and the 41st-ranked UAE.
The top four teams from the men’s and women’s events will qualify for the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in China from April 28 to May 5. – February 13, 2024