East London-raised South African badminton star Jacob Maliekal is all set to take part in his first ever Olympic Games when they kick off in Rio next week Friday.
The former Selborne College head boy qualified as the top-ranked player in Africa and will now take on the best in the world at the global showpiece event.
“I tried to qualify for London in 2012 but narrowly missed out, so it means a lot to finally make the cut for Rio and I am very happy,” said Maliekal.
“It’s been a goal for the past eight years and I'm very satisfied that it’s finally come true and I get to compete at the world’s greatest sporting event.”
It was a fantastic final push from Maliekal that saw him qualify for the Olympics.
With only one berth for players from Africa guaranteed and having to be ranked in the world’s top 100 players, Maliekal had to be on top of his game.
In March he was ranked second on the continent so a near miss again was on the cards.
However a strong next couple of months saw him move back to the top of the African rankings and his world ranking, which currently stands at 77, meant he was comfortably through.
“I was relieved that the qualifying period was a success at the end of what was a roller-coaster ride,” admitted Maliekal.
“It was up and down throughout the whole period. There were times I was ahead and times where my compatriot was in front, but the last three tournaments I played really well and got good results, which pushed me into the lead at the end of the period in May.”
He has since been very busy in training and has played in two tournaments in Taiwan and Vietnam as part of his build up preparations for the games.
“I have been in normal training for the past two months preparing well to compete in Rio,” explained Maliekal.
“Extra attention from the coaches has helped and I’ve been playing better lately.”
Maliekal already has an idea of who his main challengers will be at the Games, and he is aware of the level he is currently playing at and how far he can go.
“My main competitors will be the Asians and the Danish.
“They are dominating.
“But I’m playing better now and I will go in fighting to the end so hope to cause some upsets in Rio,” said Maliekal.
However it goes for him, Maliekal knows that the Olympics is not the be-all and end-all, and he is just aiming to use it as a stepping stone towards the greater goals he would like to achieve.
“This has always been a huge goal – but it’s not the pinnacle for me,” he said.
“I have always wanted to be a world class player.
“It is extremely tough.
“But this is what I’m working towards now, and I am seeing some progress so I will stick to the goal and continue to strive to achieve that.”
Global showcase for EL badminton hero
The former Selborne College head boy qualified as the top-ranked player in Africa and will now take on the best in the world at the global showpiece event.
“I tried to qualify for London in 2012 but narrowly missed out, so it means a lot to finally make the cut for Rio and I am very happy,” said Maliekal.
“It’s been a goal for the past eight years and I'm very satisfied that it’s finally come true and I get to compete at the world’s greatest sporting event.”
It was a fantastic final push from Maliekal that saw him qualify for the Olympics.
With only one berth for players from Africa guaranteed and having to be ranked in the world’s top 100 players, Maliekal had to be on top of his game.
In March he was ranked second on the continent so a near miss again was on the cards.
However a strong next couple of months saw him move back to the top of the African rankings and his world ranking, which currently stands at 77, meant he was comfortably through.
“I was relieved that the qualifying period was a success at the end of what was a roller-coaster ride,” admitted Maliekal.
“It was up and down throughout the whole period. There were times I was ahead and times where my compatriot was in front, but the last three tournaments I played really well and got good results, which pushed me into the lead at the end of the period in May.”
He has since been very busy in training and has played in two tournaments in Taiwan and Vietnam as part of his build up preparations for the games.
“I have been in normal training for the past two months preparing well to compete in Rio,” explained Maliekal.
“Extra attention from the coaches has helped and I’ve been playing better lately.”
Maliekal already has an idea of who his main challengers will be at the Games, and he is aware of the level he is currently playing at and how far he can go.
“My main competitors will be the Asians and the Danish.
“They are dominating.
“But I’m playing better now and I will go in fighting to the end so hope to cause some upsets in Rio,” said Maliekal.
However it goes for him, Maliekal knows that the Olympics is not the be-all and end-all, and he is just aiming to use it as a stepping stone towards the greater goals he would like to achieve.
“This has always been a huge goal – but it’s not the pinnacle for me,” he said.
“I have always wanted to be a world class player.
“It is extremely tough.
“But this is what I’m working towards now, and I am seeing some progress so I will stick to the goal and continue to strive to achieve that.”
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