I’m an IM student who currently live in Sudbury, which is located in North Ontario, from this April. I have joined badminton club from this September and on November 4th and 5th, I participated a badminton tournament in North Bay. It’s what I’d wanted to do, and I made my goal during study abroad, which is to win the tournament before I leave Canada. I’ll share my experience of badminton life in Canada and how was the result of the tournament…

I’ve been playing badminton since I was 13 and I wanted to play in Canada because I want to continue playing it after I go back to Japan, so I need to keep playing it to improve my skills. Another reason is to get a relationship through badminton. Sports could be communication tools, so I decided to play it to expand community.

I joined a badminton club called “Sudbury Junior Badminton Club” that is not school club, but my school teacher runs. I have a practice from 8 to 9:30pm on every Wednesday and from 3 to 5:00pm on Sunday at my school gym. I was supposed to have only that one, but my coach invited me to practice at college in Sudbury. I went there when I had no assignment from school. We usually do 2 on 1, 3 on 1 or min game as a practice. It’s a good practice for me but if I complained about the practice, I would say ‘Why do I have to put on goggles on my face?’ In Canada, we must put them on at all times except when playing singles to protect my eyes. It’s important but when I put it on, the goggles get foggy with moisture that makes me impossible to see anything clearly and move fast, it always slip off. I can’t concentrate on playing games, so I prefer not to put it on.

During the term I’m here, I had 4 tournaments and the first tournament held on Friday and Saturday, November 4th and 5th. It was in North Bay, where it takes me about 2 hours from Sudbury to go. I went there with my couch after school on Friday. I was surprised the tournament started at evening on weekday because it typically holds on weekend during noon in Japan. I participated every event, boys singles, boys doubles and mix doubles. Not having it in Japan, I was also surprised they had mix in U-19 tournament. There are only 16 players for each event, that means if I win 4 games, I will be a campion.

Finally, it began. There was the boys singles on Friday night. I felt tense at first and I was out of control. Then my coach gave me advice and he and my teammate cheered me each time I got points. Gradually tension was gone and I was able to play as usual. I owe wining at round1 and the quarter final to them. The player who I played against at semifinal was so tough. He got the first game and I was in pinch. After the first game, he gave me advice that was when I lift up, I must do deep and high and my smush should be half power to aim course. I played following his advice then I was able to win that game. But I already consumed almost energy for this game, final would be very tough game. Unfortunately, I had the game against with my teammate at final. Both of us were exhausted and I got cramps in my legs many times while I played. The score was like 29-27, we played the final game and it took around 45minute. I’ve never played such a long game and audience was excited. I kept moving until the ends, but I lose this game. Consequently, I was the second place and I got a silver medal.

On the second day, I had the boys doubles in the morning and mix doubles in the afternoon. I didn’t have my boys doubles partner, my couch sought and I played with him. I’ve never played with him, we couldn’t play as usually with each other. We came in at the fourth place and regrettably were not able to get medal. The main fact for our loss was the lack of communication. I realized while playing doubles, communication is the most important thing to play as smoothly.

I played mix doubles with my teammate Gillian. In mix doubles, men should be behind of court and keep attacking constantly so I must serv from behind of my partner. It’s slightly different between men or women doubles and I was a little bit confused. However, I played better than I expected, and we did became the campion! I was so happy to gain the gold medal.

I was able to accomplish one of my goals while staying in Canada in this tournament and I ensure it’s going to be the greatest memory. I appreciate everyone who has supported me. I’ll keep practicing and definitely obtain the gold in every event in the rest of tournament.