Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto have reignited their careers by forming a brand new partnership and committing to a 12 months collectively. By profitable the Malaysia Open S1000 they’ve proven that they’re able to face the perfect on the earth.
Yuki and Mayu first teamed up on the 2020 Uber Cup – a scratch pairing born from the absence of their common companions. Initially seen as a stopgap the duo confirmed promise however the relationship was placed on ice after the event. Quick ahead to the tip of 2024 and the partnership was given one other likelihood to blossom.
Yuki at 31 years outdated might have chosen an honourable wind-down to retirement after a sequence of setbacks together with the heartbreaking harm to her accomplice on the Tokyo Olympics and the missed qualification for Paris 2024. As a substitute, she discovered a brand new spark by linking up with Akira Koga in combined doubles and picked up wins that reinvigorated her confidence. Then got here the retirement of Mayu’s long-term accomplice Wakana Nagahara, prompting Mayu to go away her home crew and be a part of up with Yuki at Honegori Sagamihara.
Now, the pair has pledged to spend a 12 months competing collectively; aiming to play with freedom and keep away from the stress of excessive expectations. It’s a wise method that permits them to embrace their potential with out the burden of perfection.
Their chemistry on courtroom is plain; their smiles are uplifting. Yuki is usually a good defensive anchor; calmly absorbing stress and organising assaults. Mayu has a pointy, laborious smash and a very good attain so the rotation between them doesn’t expose weak point however I want her across the entrance courtroom. She has braveness and good spatial sense. Her cross courtroom play and audacious photographs can flip a rally’s momentum round. There are nonetheless errors of communication between them however the base degree of two former world #1 is so excessive they need to have the ability to overcome glitches.
FukuMatsu have arrived. Who is aware of how far this journey will take them? The Malaysia Open victory was only the start of what guarantees to be an exciting partnership.
When you loved this then check out my piece about FukuHiro on the Tokyo Olympics right here https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2021/08/27/yuki-and-sayaka-at-the-olympics/
My good friend – Rene Biaoli typically writes about Malaysian badminton and you could find his web site right here https://badmintoniacs.wordpress.com/2025/01/07/hello-axiata-arena/
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Amanda Bloss All Rights Reserved
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