Tokyo: World No. 2 women’s singles player, Nozomi Okuhara of Japan has turned professional.
The 23-year-old, who won the 2017 World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, has announced she will attempt to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as a professional player.
“This is something I have always wanted after the 2016 Rio Olympics,” said Okuhara.
Okuhara will be sponsored by Taiyo Holdings from Jan 1, 2019 until end of 2020, expressed her appreciation to Nihon Unisys in which she had been playing for since April 2001.
“Unisys is Japan’s first-class badminton team, but in order to do well in Tokyo Olympics, I have to avoid injuries,” added Okuhara.
The 156 cm tall Okuhara, has long been known for her ability of running around the whole court tirelessly, but is also a player prone to knee injuries due to her playing style.
Under her new sponsor, former Japanese player Shoji Sato will become her personal coach. Shoji Sato was the coach who guided her to win the 2015 Dubai World Super Series Final the 2016 Yonex All England.
