Birds of a Feather: Iris Wang Stretches Okuhara
At 157cm, Iris Wang rarely faces shorter opponents. On Wednesday, in the second round of the PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2022, she did face someone a centimetre shorter, but more accomplished – former world champion…
· DEV SUKUMAR
At 157cm, Iris Wang rarely faces shorter opponents. On Wednesday, in the second round of the PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2022, she did face someone a centimetre shorter, but more accomplished – former world champion Nozomi Okuhara.
Given their limitations of reach in a demanding physical sport, both Okuhara and Wang have had to compensate in other departments against taller opponents – through speed of foot, stoutness of heart and unrelenting consistency. Okuhara, having scaled the heights of badminton, was someone Wang closely observed all through her career, to see what elements she could use from someone who had the same limitations she did.
“She’s just like me,” said Okuhara. “A little short but she’s good physically and can rally and disguise her shots very well. I’m very happy to know that she likes to watch me!”