Huelva: Taiwan’s World No. 1 women’s singles player – Tai Tzu Ying, who has been nominated four consecutive times for the BWF Female Players of the Year Award, finally clinched the award this year after she got the better of Chen Yufei (China), Carolina Marin (Spain), and Akane Yamaguchi (Japan).
She was handed the “BWF Female Players of the Year Award” trophy after arriving in Huelva, Spain, to participate in the 2021 BWF World Championships.
“It’s nice to meet you for the first time, I very much appreciate your support,” said Tai as she posted a selfie sitting next to the trophy on her social media.
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On paper, Tai has a very high chance of winning this year’s World Championships after the Tokyo Olympics gold medalist, Chen Yufei, the Rio Olympics gold medalist, Carolina Marin, and Japan’s 2017 World champion – Nozomi Okuhara have pulled out of the tournament.
However, Tai has not been playing in any international tournaments since losing to Chen Yufei in the Tokyo Olympics final, it’s hard to tell if Tai’s physical condition and mental toughness are still in prime condition.
Several young female players such as An Seyoung of Korea, and Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand have experienced huge breakthroughs after the Tokyo Olympics, and she may face either defending champion – PV Sindhu of India or Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand in the quarter-finals.
Tai’s best record at the World Championships was entering the quarter-finals of the 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, and 2019 editions.
Meanwhile, the winner of the 2021 BWF Male Player of the Year award – Viktor Axelsen of Denmark, was grateful for the award.
“This year has been very meaningful to me and this award actually motivated me to work harder,” said Axelsen.
