Biography:
Nozomi Okuhara (奥原 希望 Okuhara Nozomi, born 13 March 1995) is a Japanese badminton player. She is widely recognized for her exceptional speed, agility, and endurance. As a former World’s number 1 in the BWF rankings for women’s singles, Okuhara has made a significant impact on the world of badminton.
Okuhara’s badminton journey began in 2002 when she first picked up a racket. Eight years later, in 2010, she earned a place on the Japanese national team. Her first taste of international competition came in the 2010 Osaka International Challenge.
In 2010, at just 15 years old, Okuhara reached the final of the Lao International, where she unfortunately lost to Nitchaon Jindapol. However, the following year, she made history by becoming the youngest women’s singles champion ever at the Japanese National Championships. In addition to this remarkable achievement, Okuhara also won the Austrian title by defeating her teammate Mayu Sekiya and secured a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships.
Continuing her success in 2011, Okuhara was a runner-up at the Asian Junior Championships and played a crucial role in helping her team win the mixed team title. Later that year, she clinched the gold medal at the World Junior Championships, building on her earlier bronze from the 2011 BWF World Junior Championships. In July, Okuhara won her first Grand Prix title at the Canada Open.
However, 2013 posed a significant challenge for Okuhara. While competing in the quarterfinals of the Malaysia Open against Saina Nehwal, she suffered a severe knee injury during the third game. This injury forced her to take a break from the international circuit for almost a year.
In November 2013, Okuhara made her comeback in elite-level competition at the China Premier event. The following year, she demonstrated her resilience and talent by winning the New Zealand Open, Vietnam Open, and Korean Grand Prix titles. Additionally, Okuhara reached her first Superseries final at the Hong Kong Open, where she faced the reigning World Champion Carolina Marín in the semifinals.
In 2015, Okuhara continued to make waves in the badminton world. She clinched two Grand Prix Gold titles at the Malaysia Open and the United States Open, defeating her compatriots Sayaka Takahashi and Sayaka Sato, respectively. She also emerged victorious at the China International event. Notably, Okuhara played the longest-ever women’s singles match at the Malaysian Superseries event, lasting a remarkable 111 minutes against Wang Shixian. Despite losing the match, Okuhara showcased her fighting spirit and determination.
The crowning achievement of Okuhara’s career came in 2017 when she won the gold medal at the World Championships. This victory solidified her status as one of the top players in the world and established her as a force to be reckoned with in women’s badminton.
With her achievements on the court and her unwavering determination, Okuhara serves as an inspiration to aspiring badminton players around the globe. Her speed, agility, and endurance have revolutionized the game and continue to make her a formidable opponent.
Awards:
– Gold medal at the 2017 World Championships
– Bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics