While her sights are set on the Paris Olympics, Singapore's top female shuttler is looking to help the team go further than their last SEA Games outing in 2019
Singapore badminton's Yeo Jia Min remains upbeat inspite of multiple setbacks to her preparations at the start of 2022. PHOTO: JOHN YEONG, SPORTPLUS.SG
In January this year, Yeo Jia Min had to withdraw from the India Open after testing positive for Covid-19. Two weeks later after returning to training she suffered another setback when she tore her calf muscle, with the injury leaving her on crutches.
In spite of the rough start to the year, the Singapore badminton player chooses to remain optimistic and to continue to work hard with what she has towards each competition instead of resigning to fate.
Watch our full video interview with Yeo Jia Min on Studio Plus here.
Her fortunes changed when she recovered in time to train for the 2022 Korea Open which took place in early April, and saw her progress from the round of 32 before being eliminated in the round of 16 by women's singles second seed An Se-young.
While time is not on Yeo's side in her preparations for the upcoming SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, she says she will continue to work hard for a competition she has yet to win a singles medal from, although she already has three team bronzes.
Yeo Jia Min is a three-time SEA Games team bronze medalist, ever since making her SEA Games debut in 2015. PHOTO: JOHN YEONG, SPORTPLUS.SG
In truth, the former world junior number one's sights are set on something much bigger on the horizon, with the Paris 2024 olympics beckoning, although the regional Games is always something she looks forward to.
At the last SEA Games in the Philippines, Yeo succumbed to injury and fell short of the quarter finals, with teammate Jaslyn Hooi progressing the furthest in the women's singles. Yeo will hope to have a better outing this time round in Vietnam, and is optimistic with the team's chances.
Yeo Jia Min in training with the Singapore badminton team. PHOTO: JOHN YEONG, SPORTPLUS.SG
Off the court, she has also gotten used to the growing attention on him and her beau, national swimmer Pang Sheng Jun, with the two considered one of several high profile athlete couples in the fraternity.
Yeo said, "I do think I've gotten a bit more following and people supporting me which I'm super grateful for."
Yeo Jia Min is grateful for the support she has received over the years from fans and supporters, ever since her rise to prominence in the badminton world. PHOTO: JOHN YEONG, SPORTPLUS.SG
"I don't think much has changed about me in terms of social media, I am just being myself. I share not for anything else but just for keeping the memories. Enjoying the process, so I just want to share my experiences."
Yeo and the Singapore badminton team will be competing in Cau Long, Vietnam and Singapore fans can catch the action via Mediacorp's meWatch.
The 31st Southeast Asian Games will be taking place from 12 - 23 May 2022 in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Singapore shuttlers Yeo Jia Min has gotten used to the limelight, but says it has not changed her or her beliefs in any way. PHOTO: JOHN YEONG, SPORTPLUS.SG
SportPlus.sg is pleased to join hands with TikTok, the world's fastest growing social media platform, to shine the spotlight on the journeys of 10 of Singapore's SEA Games athletes in this 8-part series, and assist athletes with TikTok content creation to amplify their online presence for the Games.
Special thanks to Team Singapore, Singapore Athletics, Singapore Badminton Association, Basketball Association of Singapore, Football Association of Singapore, Singapore Silat Federation, Singapore Swimming, Volleyball Association of Singapore, Singapore Underwater Federation, ActiveSG Sport Centres and Chinese Swimming Club for supporting this series.