Badminton mixed doubles Higashino Watanabe pair is sure to represent the Olympics

Badminton mixed doubles Higashino Watanabe pair is sure to be the Olympic representative March 12 2:01

The fourth place in the world rankings of badminton mixed doubles, the pair of Yudai Watanabe and Arisa Higashino, won the first round of the British Open, which opened in the UK, and was confirmed as a representative of the Tokyo Olympics.

The Japan National Team for Badminton at the Tokyo Olympics will be determined to be athletes or pairs who have ranked within the 16th place in the world ranking on 30th of next month based on the points earned during the one-year international competition.

Watanabe and Higashino paired straight against Korea's 29th-placed pair in the first round of the British Open, an international tournament that kicked off in Britain on the 11th.

Even if you miss all the international competitions that will be held until the next month, you will be in the 16th place in the world ranking on 30th of next month.

Watanabe is a 22-year-old from Tokyo who has speed and a variety of shots. Higashino is a 23-year-old from Hokkaido who has aggressive aggressive play.

They secured their first Olympics with results at international competitions throughout the year, including the first bronze medal in this event at a World Championship last year as a Japanese player.

Watanabe said, "I didn't know at all. I came to aim for the Tokyo Olympics, and it's important to fight through the British Open first. I want to fight with care without losing each game." And talked about enthusiasm.

Both of them spent their junior high school and high school days in Fukushima Prefecture, but Arisa Higashino, a teammate, said that on the 9th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Olympic team was confirmed to be a representative of the Olympics. I knew it was a day, so I was glad to win today and it was a good news.The match is still going on, so I'm not so conscious about being in the national team, but I'll do my best to win the British Open. '' I said with a smile.

Mr. Watanabe also said, "I have a lot of memories in Fukushima Prefecture, and I don't think it's natural to play badminton now, so I want to take care of every day and give back."