Singapore shuttler Yeo Jia Min on her Paris Olympics experience

SINGAPORE: Shuttler Yeo Jia Min is the first Singaporean badminton player to reach the knockout stages at the Olympic Games since 2012.

But the 25-year-old’s Olympic dreams were smashed – for now – following her heartbreaking exit in her narrow round of 16 match against Japan's Aya Ohori at the recently-concluded Games in Paris.

She is back in Singapore and already back on court to train for her next competition.

CNA938 catches up with the two-time Olympian on her experience in Paris.

Q. What was the first thing you ate when you landed in Singapore?

Duck rice at the airport.

I’m feeling really good to be back home and be with my family.

I've taken a week off, then I've started training again, because my next competition is in less than two weeks. I'm trying my best. I first need to recover from a flu.

Q. This was your second time competing at the Olympics. Did you feel you did better compared to your debut?

Overall, the whole Olympic experience was very different, as my first Games was during the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, right from the first day, it was so crowded. There was so much more support. My family, my parents were there, and every match I could see them.

Preparation was also quite different. Going into the competition this time, I was healthy, not (affected) by injuries, so physically and mentally, I was definitely more prepared.

Q. What was most important in your preparation for the Olympics?

There were months of preparation. Leading up (to the Games), it was definitely to make sure I didn’t fall sick or get any new injuries. Sometimes I get these little bits of anxiousness to ensure that I’m in the best shape possible. Just mentally staying grounded, believing in myself, a lot of positive self-talk, and