Baltimore Badminton Player Aims for 2028 Olympics After Training in Taiwan

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Presley Smith, a 22-year-old badminton player from Baltimore, Maryland, is chasing a spot on the 2028 US Olympic team. His journey highlights not only his personal determination but also the lack of visibility and support for badminton in the United States, forcing him to train in Taiwan to develop his skills.

Why it matters

Smith's story exemplifies a growing trend of American athletes seeking specialized training abroad in sports that lack mainstream popularity and funding in the US. His success could serve as a catalyst for increased investment, participation, and recognition of badminton in the United States.

The details

Despite starting to play badminton at age 9, Smith faced limited opportunities to compete, as the sport was generally only offered to girls in Baltimore City schools. This lack of readily available competition forced Smith to largely self-train with his coach. Recognizing the limited growth potential for badminton in the US, Smith made the bold decision to move to Taiwan after high school to pursue professional training, a move that proved pivotal in his development as an athlete.

• Presley Smith began playing badminton at age 9.
• After high school, Smith moved to Taiwan to pursue professional training.
• Smith currently represents Team USA in men's doubles and mixed doubles.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Smith's current focus is on improving his world ranking - he aims to break into the top 20 this year and the top 16 next year - a crucial step towards Olympic qualification.