SPORT: Tuks badminton player eyeing Olympics
“I want to become South Africa's top men's badminton player. However, to do that I need to be more disciplined."
University of Pretoria badminton player Bongani von Bodenstein has shifted his attention to next year’s Olympic Games following his semi-final loss in Durban.
Von Bodenstein lost his semi-final against Ruan Snyman in the recent Category One Tournament, which he deemed “one loss too many”.
Von Bodenstein has set his sights on qualifying for next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.
With the qualification period officially starting in three weeks, the Tuks player is all too aware that he needs to be more disciplined. That is why he considers the loss against Snyman a much-needed wake-up call.
ALSO READ: Van Bodenstein makes clean sweep at SA Universities badminton tournament
Von Bodenstein will get his first chance to improve his international ranking while representing South Africa at the All African Championships in Nigeria (22-28 April).
He believes that as a team they have a realistic chance to medal, but he also wants to give a proper reckoning of his abilities in the individual tournament.
It will be tough, as Mauritius apparently has a few top-ranked international players while Egypt can boast with a Youth Olympic medallist in their team.
“I want to become South Africa’s top men’s badminton player. However, to do that I need to be more disciplined,” he said.
“That is why from this week I aim to train three times a day. I am also planning to watch my diet more carefully. Junk food is a definite no-no from now on as I need to increase my protein intake.”
ALSO READ: Emerging badminton star dreams of national title
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