Kodai Naraoka Exits in Round of 16 in His First Olympics, Admits to Being Nervous Post-Match

Jayce September 6, 2024 2 0

At this year’s Paris Olympics, Kodai Naraoka, the 5th seed in men’s singles badminton, was defeated by veteran Chou Tien-chen in the round of 16 with scores of 12-21, 16-21, ending his Olympic journey.

On August 9, upon returning to Japan, Naraoka attended a press conference held at the airport, where he shared his thoughts on his first Olympic experience.

How do you feel about participating in the Olympics for the first time?
I’m very happy. The atmosphere of the competition was different from usual, and there were many fans present. I also experienced a sense of nervousness.

Were you nervous throughout?
Yes, I was nervous the whole time, but I think that feeling would gradually subside as the matches progressed.

You had a tough match against Chou Tien-chen in the round of 16.
Since it was the Olympics, I was very emotionally invested. I had already lost to him three times before, so from the start, I was determined to stay focused.

Did you use a different strategy than usual?
Rather than using a different strategy, I made extra efforts to avoid an easy loss. Given the wind conditions in the Olympic venue and the shuttlecocks used, I believed I needed to adopt a more aggressive approach, so I adjusted my playing style accordingly.