Tomoka Miyazaki Overcomes 'Bad Habits' For Comeback Win At Badminton Worlds

Last Updated:August 26, 2025, 17:29 IST

Tomoka Miyazaki, 19, overcame nerves and a tough start to defeat Neslihan Arin at the badminton world championships in Paris, boosting her confidence for the tournament ahead.

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Japanese teen sensation Tomoka Miyazaki commenced her first badminton world championships with a victory on Tuesday, though she confessed that nerves and a “bad habit" almost hindered her performance in Paris.

Widely regarded as the future of the sport in Japan, 19-year-old Miyazaki is already ranked within the world’s top-10 and is a junior world champion, having won the underage tournament in Spain three years ago.

Such high expectations can challenge even the most seasoned players, yet despite feeling the pressure, the eighth seed managed to secure a 2-1 comeback win against Turkey’s Neslihan Arin in the first round.

“In the first game, I felt like I was struggling because my control wasn’t there," Miyazaki told reporters.

“The opponent was big, and controlling the shots was difficult, so I ended up forcing it a bit… I felt I couldn’t move smoothly or think clearly, and it was a really tough first game for me.

“In the deciding game, I took the lead but she then caught me up. I could feel my heart racing as I tried to hold on."

The Osaka-native admitted that the magnitude of the event and her recent form had affected her mindset before stepping onto the court in Paris.

“I don’t think I was nervous specifically because it was the world championships, but I did feel some anxiety and struggle after recent matches," she explained.

“Lately, my bad habit is forgetting things when I’m not playing well, so I don’t want to repeat the same mistakes or errors. Today, I properly switched gears to win back the second game."

Miyazaki added that Tuesday’s hard-fought victory boosted her confidence for the rest of the tournament: “Carrying that anxiety, winning today’s first match, I think, alleviates some of that worry.

“Looking back today, I think it would be good to switch gears tomorrow and play with a positive mindset.

“I played well at times and not so well at others. So even though I won today, I did not play so well that I have a lot of confidence yet."

Miyazaki stated she plans to approach the world championships one game at a time as she aims to solidify her status as a rising star in women’s badminton.

“I don’t have a specific target," she said regarding her chances for a medal by week’s end.

“But within the context of one match per day, I feel strongly about giving my absolute all in each one and striving to do my best."

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First Published:

August 26, 2025, 17:29 IST

News sports Tomoka Miyazaki Overcomes 'Bad Habits' For Comeback Win At Badminton Worlds

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