Badminton: Shida, Matsuyama looking for Japan Open doubles title
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Paris Olympic women's badminton doubles bronze medalists Chiharu Shida and Nami Matsuyama vowed Tuesday to win the title at the Japan Open international competition in July.
The popularity of the "Shida-Matsu" pair has surged, even beyond the badminton world, since last year's Olympics.
"We want to prepare well and put on a good performance," Matsuyama said at a press conference. "We haven't won an international meet in Japan, so we'll do our best to claim the title."
The Japan Open is scheduled for July 14-20 at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.
"It's a chance for people who haven't seen badminton in person to see us play," Shida said. "Last year's Japan Open was just after the Olympics, so we weren't in top form. But we'll try to give our 100 percent (this time)."
The Shida-Matsu pair lost in the quarterfinals last year.
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