Juliana Vieira Makes a Mark for Brazilian Badminton at Olympic Paris 2024
Conor Hudson
Thu Aug 01 2024
Juliana Vieira has left a significant impact on the badminton scene in Brazil at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024. Despite a loss in her first match against Supanida Katethong, the 20-year-old showed tremendous confidence and skill in her direct victory over Lo Sin Yan Happy from Hong Kong China.
This triumph marks Brazil's first win in women's singles badminton at the Olympics, with Vieira following in the footsteps of past Brazilian representatives Lohaynny Vicente in Rio 2016 and Fabiana Silva in Tokyo 2020. A former ballet dancer in her youth, Vieira expressed her joy at this breakthrough, stating, "I am extremely happy, it's amazing to secure a victory in my first Olympic Games. It's a wonderful experience for me, and I'm satisfied with my performance."
Vieira's journey to badminton saw her transition from ballet to the shuttlecock sport, a decision she does not regret. She missed watching the Olympics on home soil eight years ago while training in Spain but returned to Brazil and joined the national center after four years in Spain. Vieira's training partner Carolina Marin boosted her preparation, and she felt fortunate to have practiced with the top player at the national INSEP center in Paris.
Competing in the men's doubles death group (Group D), Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen bounced back with a convincing win over Liu Yu Chen/Ou Xuan Yi, reigniting their campaign after a setback against Olympic champions Lee Yang/Wang Chi-Lin. The world champions Seo Seung Jae/Chae Yu Jung also showcased their dominance by defeating Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai to lead Group B.
Juliana Vieira's success at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024 serves as an inspiration for the growth of badminton in Brazil. Her passion and dedication to the sport, along with the achievements of other Brazilian athletes, illustrate the potential for badminton's development in the country. Vieira's journey and triumph highlight the power of determination and the ability to break barriers in the pursuit of sporting excellence.