Kisona Proves Doubters Wrong

Ranked world no.104, national shuttler, Kisona Selvaduray, knew she had nothing to lose when she stepped onto the court to battle for the women’s singles gold at the 2019 SEA Games in Philippines.

Afterall, the 22-year-old who was only names in the squad after injury to the nation’s no.1, Goh Jin Wei, had already defied the odds in Manila by stunning wold no.24 Gregoria Mariskan Tuniang (Indonesia) and second seeded and world no.22 Nitchaon Jindapol (Thailand) enroute to the final.

Indeed, Kisona continued her smashing performances in the finals to bring home the gold medal in the women’s singles category.

It seems Kisona is never one to follow the script. When she was 19, the shuttler stunned the field when she managed to win gold at the BWF Indonesia International Series in what was only her second international tournament.

“3 years ago, I suffered an injury and nobody actually believed that I could win the battle,” said the Negeri Sembilan-born shuttler.

“But the encouragement from my family and coaches inspired me to do my best, and when I won the gold medal, I was on cloud nine” she continued.

Kisona, who was hoping to use her performances at the 2019 SEA Games as a catalyst, admitted that her plans were disrupted by the Covid19 pandemic.

“If I have a tournament coming up, I am going to do my best and I am going to take every tournament that I compete in seriously.”

When asked who her idol is, it is not surprising that Kisona singled out the best badminton player ever produced by Malaysia, Datuk Lee Chong Wei.

“His dedication and the way in which he battles in court inspires me to step up my game,” said the women’s singles shuttler.

Kisona admitted that she has not yet achieved her goal as she still has a lot to improve before she can be a mainstay in the national team.

In her journey to become the top women’s singles shuttler, Kisona Selvaduray has vowed that nothing will stop her.

“When you plant a seed, it will not immediately become a flower, you have to water it every day so that it can bloom. Same goes to sport, you have to keep on trying until you reach the top” says Kisona who hopes to return stronger once the international calendar resumes.