Goh Liu Ying Pickleball Olympic Dreams: Goh Liu Ying, one of Malaysia’s most well-known badminton players, has found a new sport to enjoy in retirement—pickleball. While she plays it casually, Goh Liu believes that if pickleball joins the Olympics, it could become a serious choice for professional athletes.
Goh Liu Ying, who won a silver medal in mixed doubles at the Olympics, now plays pickleball a few times a week. Speaking to Malay Mail, she said she played regularly before giving birth and enjoyed games that lasted up to three hours.
From Badminton Star to Pickleball Fan
Goh Liu Ying rose to fame by competing at the highest levels in badminton. She experienced the pressure of carrying a nation’s hopes at the Olympics. Though now retired, she is staying active by playing pickleball, a sport she describes as more relaxed.
“I played two to three times a week before I gave birth, sometimes for three hours,”
Goh Liu Ying shared in her interview.
While she enjoys pickleball, she said it does not replace badminton in her heart. Still, she admitted she may reconsider her stance if the sport becomes part of the Olympics.
The Olympic Effect on Pickleball
Goh Liu Ying believes Olympic inclusion would bring more attention to pickleball and attract top athletes.
“Pickleball can be a social sport. But if it can enter the Olympics, I guess it has a chance,”. “All of our planning as athletes revolves around the Olympics. You can get pension money and salary if your sport is in. If it’s not, it’s tough.”(Goh Liu Ying)
Goh Li also explained why she continues to enjoy the sport.
“You can go pro or just be social. That’s the advantage. You don’t even need to train hard, you can just show up and enjoy,”
said Goh Liu Ying, who is now 36 years old and a mother of two.
Looking Ahead
With talk growing about pickleball possibly joining the Olympics, Goh Liu’s support brings added attention. If the sport does get in, it might open the door for more retired athletes—or even Goh Liu herself—to step back into competition in a new way.
News in Brief: Goh Liu Ying Pickleball Olympic Dreams
Former Malaysian badminton star Goh Liu Ying is now enjoying pickleball in retirement. She supports the idea of pickleball entering the Olympics, saying it would raise the sport’s status and bring more professional athletes on board. For now, she plays for fun but hasn’t ruled out a return if it goes Olympic.
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