Just 16, and Raring to Go
Not for Lauren Lam the conventional process of climbing up the ladder from junior level to the seniors. The USA left-hander, just 16 years old, has vaulted straight into the tiger pen, as it were, confident that…
· DEV SUKUMAR
Not for Lauren Lam the conventional process of climbing up the ladder from junior level to the seniors. The USA left-hander, just 16 years old, has vaulted straight into the tiger pen, as it were, confident that exposure to top-level badminton would provide a surer route towards excellence.
Among the big decisions she had to take was giving up conventional school in favour of online lessons, helping her dedicate time to her training as a badminton professional.
Lam, who qualified to the main draw of the YONEX-SUNRISE Hong Kong Open 2019 today, isn’t a regular on the junior circuit despite being just 16. She last played the World Junior Championships in 2017, and says skipping the subsequent World Junior Championships was a conscious decision to enable her to sharpen her game against higher-quality opponents.