British Badminton ace Rachel Choong wants to continue world domination in 2017
By Dev Trehan
Last Updated: 31/01/17 1:23pm
World No 1 short stature badminton star Rachel Choong says her unquenchable thirst for victory has been the secret to her success.
Choong made history in Stoke Mandeville - the birthplace of the Paralympics - in 2015 by becoming the first English badminton player to win three titles at a World Championships.
The 23-year-old from Crosby, Liverpool, backed that up with another three titles at September's European Para-Badminton Championships and is eyeing further domination in 2017.
"I enjoy winning. I love it," Choong told Sky Sports. "It's addictive and once you've won once you just want to do it again.
"But I'd also say the competition is getting stronger and that has motivated me to stay on top of my game and train as much as I can.
"I need to make sure there is still that gap between me and the number two in the world because if that gap gets smaller then I'm not doing something right. Keeping that gap there is one of the biggest things that motivates me.
"I've got to keep it up because in some ways I think some people are bored of me winning, so I can't let things slip. I can't give into that and I want to prove people wrong so I'm going to keep going and I'm going to keep winning."
Choong was speaking at an Asian Sports Foundation event chaired by Sky Sports News HQ reporter Dharmesh Sheth and hosted by the EY Sikh Network at EY's London Bridge offices.
Recently announced as part of the newly-formed GB Paralympic Badminton squad aiming for Tokyo 2020, Choong has been an Asian Sports Foundation ambassador for a little under a year.
"It's absolutely fantastic what Rachel has achieved during her career," the foundation's chairman Jug Johal told Sky Sports.
"She's exactly the kind of role model we need to show people what can be achieved when you set your mind to something and work hard and train hard. That is how Rachel has reached the top of her game.
"The EY Sikh Network did a fantastic job hosting the event," added Johal, who played for Moseley and captained India during his time as rugby union player.
"It was amazing to be approached by them and forge this working partnership. Their organisation as a whole is very proactive on the diversity and equality agenda more organisations should follow suit and get it on their corporate social responsibility radar."
