Seasoned badminton campaigners feeling no Pan Am pressure
SANTIAGO, Chile — Two of Jamaica’s seasoned badminton players say they feel no pressure in spite of an opportunity to qualify automatically for the Olympic Games from the Pan American Games, now on here.
Tahlia Richardson and Katherine Wynter are Jamaica’s women’s players in this sporting discipline, while Samuel Ricketts and Bradley Evans are the men’s representatives.
The women’s competition starts on Saturday with the round of 32, and Wynter represents Jamaica against Bolivia’s Juanita Silviora Puro at 1:00 pm Jamaica time.
Wynter says she does not know much about her opponent but is not worried about whatever challenge she poses.
“The person I play tomorrow, I’ve never seen her play — and I didn’t even know Bolivia played — but it will be very interesting to see that match and see how she plays against me,” Wynter said.
Richardson is focused on medalling but says she will not be distracted by the prospect of qualification for Paris.
“It’s just about being focused and knowing the goal ahead, but not being fixated on that. Still being able to be in it all and be in the moment but know, at the end of the day, we need to get as far as we can in rounds and ensure that we get points for qualification,” she said.
“This is just one chance of many but it’s also a good chance that we have. It’s about going out there tomorrow and being focused and intent, knowing that we’re really going out there to win and get some good points geared to the Olympics.”
Wynter says there is no added pressure from the incentive of qualification.
“I’ve been to many of these competitions before so I’m used to the feeling, the action of it all,” she said. “I’m just excited to go out there and do my best and try to represent Jamaica as best as possible, so no pressure, really.
“But this is the Pan American Games so it’s not going to be easy. We’re going to have competition from Canada, which has players ranked in the top 10 in the world, so we do have a lot of competition out there.
Richardson does not yet know her opponent but her match takes place at 2:00 pm Jamaica time.
Evans starts against Suriname’s Opti Soren at 5:30 am Jamaica time, and Ricketts will open his campaign against Mexico’s Luis Ramon Garrido Esquivel at 8:00 am Jamaica time.
Evans and Wynter will compete in the mixed doubles category against Cuba’s Yeily Mary Ortiz Rodríguez and Juan Carlos Bencomo Otaño at 4:30 pm Jamaica time.
