Jump for Joy
Ivanhoe Grammar School student, Joy Lai has been playing badminton since she was just six years-old and it didn’t take her long to move through the ranks at Badminton Australia, moving from the National Junior squad to the Senior Squad, despite being only fifteen years of age.
Joy was fortunate to travel to Nanjing, China to compete in the 2nd Summer Youth Olympic Games in the Australian Badminton Youth Olympic Team. The Games were held from Saturday 16 August to Thursday 28 August. In the Women’s Singles event Joy was defeated during the round robin matches and in the Mixed Doubles event, Joy was partnered with the number one World Junior player from China where they made the Quarter Finals.
Joy also celebrated her birthday and presented with a gift organised by the Committee and even had the entire stadium sing her ‘Happy Birthday’! She also met the Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Madam Liu Yandong. Despite the match losses, competing in the Youth Olympics will be an experience Joy will never forget.
Most recently Joy competed at the Closed Australian Championships, where she and partner Verdet Kessler won the Women’s Doubles and Joy was runner-up in the Women’s Singles event. In a closely fought thriller, it was her doubles partner who managed to hold onto the title, which she won in 2013.
To watch Joy’s match in the Women’s Doubles, click here
,,
