The Jamaica Badminton Association’s Open Women Singles and Open Mixed Doubles champion, Geordine Grace-Ann Henry, is looking towards the Commonwealth Games in August, to be held in Scotland, with great anticipation.

Speaking to the Jamaica Observer earlier this week, Henry said that her short-term goal at the moment is to make it to Commonwealth Games in August and get a medal.

“My focus right now is the Commonwealth Games, as I am on a mission and want to do well, to get a medal, but in order for me to get a medal

I have to train hard and that is what I am doing from now,” Henry said.

The 25-year-old Henry said she started playing badminton at age 12 at the Mount St Joseph Preparatory School where she was first introduced to the sport by Howard Ranger.

“One day at school during our Physical Education class we heard that a coach, Mr Howard Ranger, would come and teach us how to play badminton. I was 12 at that time,” she remembered with a smile on her face.

“Most of my friends stopped playing but I developed a liking for the sport, and ever since that first day with Mr Ranger I have continued to play, and the rest is history,” she added.

Henry, who graduated from the University of Technology with a degree in Land Economy and Valuation Surveying said that since moving from Mandeville to Kingston training is has not been easy because of her job at the National Land Agency in downtown Kingston.

“Since I moved to Kingston, it has been quite difficult blending my job and my badminton training and playing time. To put it simply, it is not easy as I have to leave work at 5:00 pm each day to reach the gym by 5:30 pm to work out,” Henry told the Observer.

As to her training routine, Henry said the drills are always taxing and arduous but necessary if she is to make a push at the international level.

“My coach mainly gives me international techniques to do as local training is not up to the required standard. I do flexibilities, court drills on movements, shuttle drills and I play lots of games to stay fit and I have a yoga instructor on Saturdays to build my concentration and sometimes I do shadow badminton,” she explained.

Henry said although she is always guided by her coach, she took the decision to further her training by adding new elements to her daily routine.

“I did some court drills on my own; I run up and down steps to get some power in my legs and I go to the gym and skip a lot to build my speed,” the 25-year-old said.

Henry’s hard work and dedication paid off on December 8, when she came from a set behind to defeat Katherine Wynter 13-21, 21-17 and 21-12 to win the 2013 All-Jamaican Badminton Association Open Women Singles Championship at the Constant Spring Golf Club.

“Well, I had to fight real hard for that one. I lost the first set and came out in the second and decided to give it my all and I eventually won,” she said.

Henry then returned the next day to win the Open Mixed Doubles with her brother, Gareth Henry.

Henry praised her family and friends for the assistance they have given to her in her quest to further her career in badminton.

“My friends and family have really helped me to reach this far, especially my daddy, Courtney Henry. He played a big part in my accomplishments as he would always motivate me to go, even when the going gets rough,” Henry said.

She quickly added that her brother (Gareth) is continuously encouraging her and when they are playing together he points out some of the mistakes she makes and suggests ways of correcting them.

“My family is the main reason for my growth and development as a badminton player, and I thank them,” Henry said.