Name: Nicolas Oliva
Country: Argentina
Modality: Singles and Doubles
At what age did you start in Badminton?
“I met badminton at school. One day, in Physical Education class the teacher told us that we were going to play badminton and asked us to buy rackets. There was no club, it was only in the school classes.”
When did you say: yes, I will dedicate myself to badminton?
“At the beginning there was no youth team, so at school we started playing and a team was created. And when there was a team I decided to dedicate myself to badminton and go out to compete internationally.”
Which is your biggest dream?
“I want to play an Olympic Games. It is difficult but not impossible.”
What is the best that badminton has given you?
“The best have been the experiences in each trip, knowing new places and people.”
Do you perform other activities in parallel to you career as a Badminton player, such as studies or work?
“Yes, I’m studing high school.”
“It’s not hard because in Argentina we have an oline study plan, so I study in my house and every 4 months I will take exams. Thanks to that it is easy for me to be able to dedicate more to the sport and not leave aside the studies.”
Which are your goals for this year?
“This year I want to achieve a South American medal, if possible a gold medal. I’m preparing for it.”
Which is the hardest thing about being a high performance athlete?
“It’s complicated because we do not have many facilities to practice badminton. We have few shuttles, few clubs, little national competition, so it is complicated but we are moving forward.”
Which do you prefer?
– Olympic Games or World Championships? “Olympic Games”
– Winter or Summer? “Summer”
– Sweet or salt? “Sweet”
– Badminton player? “Lin Dan”
What message would you give to young people who are just starting to practice badminton?
“I would tell them to train hard and enjoy, they can go very far with effort and dedication.”
Photo Credit: BPAC | SN
