Joy Lai is just 17 years old but she is already a badminton veteran.
Playing the sport since she was six years old, she's been representing Australia internationally since she was 11.
"All the travelling to China and many other countries, it's tiring,” she said. “It’s the flying that I'm sick of but competing overseas, I just love it.”
Lai has competed in every continent except Antarctica, winning titles in New Zealand and Tahiti, and featuring in the Nanjing Youth Olympics.
Now she's hoping for one more destination - Rio.
"It sort of gives me a reason not to give up because so many people believe in me and so I can't just let it all go."
Her dreams aren't without sacrifice. Lai trains every day, while also studying Year 12 in the hopes of gaining acceptance to an engineering degree at university.
Joy Lai at home in Melbourne. Source: SBS
"She comes home has to start homework at 8:30 and doesn’t go to bed until 11,12, midnight and then goes to school the next day, her mother, Kanny, said.
But the Olympics are calling, and to improve her chances for selection, more tournaments and more travel is required.
Badmington in Australia
The sport of badminton is still in its infancy in Australia, so funding from national sporting bodies is minimal. Lai relies on donors to help fund her travel to international competitions.
Badminton national junior coach Stuart Brehaut said Lai will need to compete in at least a half dozen more international tournaments in coming months to improve her ranking for selection.
"It's probably another six to seven tournaments; probably another six to seven trips overseas,” he said. “We’re working a bit on her fitness and a few tactical improvements we can make in this short time.”
The Olympic badminton team will be finalised in May, with just one spot for a female singles player. Joy will need to beat other competitors from the Oceania region and also improve her rankings to within the top 50 to 60 in the world to directly qualify.
Coach Stuart Brehaut. Source: SBS
"It's not easy and I think this Olympic Games would be a great stepping stone for Joy,” Mr Brehaut said. “It would probably give her the opportunity to play in a huge event then at the next one maybe a chance for a medal.”
Australia is yet to medal in Olympic badminton.
Joy Lai isn't confident of being the first, but said she just wants a chance to wear the green and gold in Rio.
"It means so much, I'd be so happy to go and just hopefully play my best and show all the other players and everyone else what I can do."
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