Sung counting on her experience to handle pressure at Olympics

The Chinese shuttlers might continue to be a strong force in women's singles, but World No. 7 Korean Sung Ji Hyun feels she has the experience and skills to handle pressure, which will hold her in good stead at the All England Championship and Rio Olympics this year.
Sung had competed in the London Olympics in 2012 but could not make past the group stage.
"I am more experienced now than I was in London. 2012 was my first time in Olympics but now I think I am better in handling players and pressure situation," Sung, who beat Thailand's Nitchaon Jindapol 21-16 21-8 to reach the finals of Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold here, told PTI.

"In ranking, Spain's Carolina Marin and Saina Nehwal are at the top and then the Chinese are there in top 5 so they are still a force in badminton. We can't ignore them. I know I have to equip myself to play and win against the Chinese."
Sung said both Saina and PV Sindhu are capable of winning an Olympic medal but they will also have to handle pressure.
"Saina is a powerful and attacking player. Sindhu also has got speed and skill. Of course they are a competition to me as they are capable of winning medals at Olympics," said the 24-year-old, who won the German Open and reached the semifinals of Korea, Denmark, World Championship last year.

Sung is the daughter of one of South Korea's most famous badminton couples -- mother Kim Yun Ja, who was the last player to win All England titles in both singles and doubles, and father, Sung Han Kook, who won bronze at the Asian Games and All England. Interestingly, both Kim and Han Kook retired just before badminton became a full medal event at the Olympics. Thus, Sung now has her eyes on the Rio Games.

"All England is a historical event. I am training to win that but again Olympics is the biggest event which comes after four years. So one is a historical event while the other is the biggest event. So I want to win both. I think one who will overcome pressure and tension better, can win," she said.

Sung had reached the semifinals of the All England in 2013, but lost in the quarters in the last two years.
When Sung was six, her mother used to take her along to the elementary school, where she was coaching at the time, and soon Sung started taking interest in the sport.
"When I was young, I wanted to play. I used to watch them play and I got interested. But my father didn't like it, he knew it is difficult as it involves a lot of hard work. My brother also showed interest early on but my father didn't want both his kids to play badminton. So I had to convince him. Now he supports me a lot," she signed off.