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Japan's domination in women's doubles badminton starts to weaken
Over the past three years, Japanese women's doubles shuttlers enjoyed their hard-earned credibility as the real threats on the world stage. In the current landscape, however, they have started to lose their domination.
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Misaki Matsumoto (left) and Ayaka Takahashi of Japan pose on the podium after winning against compatriots Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota during their women's doubles final match of the Korea Victor Open badminton tournament in Seoul on Sept. 30, 2018. (AFP/Ed Jones)
O
ver the past three years, Japanese badminton players, specifically in the women's doubles category, enjoyed their hard-earned credibility as the real threats on the world stage.
In the current landscape, however, they have started to lose their domination as their competitors seem to be finding ways to decode the previously winning Japanese strategies.
The Japanese women's doubles rose to the top after Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi won the 2016 Olympic Games gold medal in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Ever since, the Japanese seemed to find their rhythm to spread their wings and threat on the world level, toppling previous stronghold China.
At the end of 2017 season, the Japanese solidified their presence by claiming four spots in the top seven of the women's doubles world rankings. This was the result of the Japanese pairs' ability to claim up to four places in the semifinal round of a tournament.
In 2018, the Japanese continued their victorious journey with more prestigious titles including the World Championships by Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara after 41 years, as well as the World Tour Finals by Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi.
Nevertheless, outside their bubble the rivals of the Japanese were tenacious about overturning their supremacy.
