Author: European Badminton Union
Mia Audina has surprised many people by announcing that she is to retire from international competition. Audina burst onto the international scene in 1994 at the tender ago of 14, winning the deciding match to clinch the Uber Cup for Indonesia. After switching nationalities, Audina won her second silver medal tens year later at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
Finishing at the age of 26 may seem early for a professional athlete to retire, but when her career has spanned more than 12 years and includes two Olympic medals, it becomes easier to understand that it could be time to hang up the rackets and take a well earned rest.
Mia Audina was born in Indonesia and was one of the youngest players ever to appear for the national team. During the Uber Cup final in 1994 she played the deciding match against Zhang Ning which ensured that Indonesia beat China 3-2. This was in front of thousands of passionate fans in Jakarta. Audina instantly became a national hero. She confirmed her place in the history books by winning her first silver medal at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games.
A few years later, Audina switched countries and continents to represent the Netherlands. This didn’t stop her from winning tournaments and medals. It also started a successful women’s doubles partnership with Lotte Bruil (nee Jonathans).
In 2004 Audina reached her peak. At the European Championships Audina claimed an impressive double, winning the women’s singles and women’s doubles gold medals. Later on in August at the Athens Olympic Games, Audina defeated Gong Ruina to reach the women’s singles final, but Zhang Ning claimed revenge for 10 years earlier, denying Audina the chance to win gold.
Audina also won silver medal in the women’s singles at the European Championships in 2002 and 2006. This year she also helped Netherlands win the European Women’s Team Championships, plus second place at the Uber Cup.
Badminton Europe congratulates Mia Audina on her remarkable career and wishes her a very happy retirement.
Source:badders.com
Mia Audina has surprised many people by announcing that she is to retire from international competition. Audina burst onto the international scene in 1994 at the tender ago of 14, winning the deciding match to clinch the Uber Cup for Indonesia. After switching nationalities, Audina won her second silver medal tens year later at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
Finishing at the age of 26 may seem early for a professional athlete to retire, but when her career has spanned more than 12 years and includes two Olympic medals, it becomes easier to understand that it could be time to hang up the rackets and take a well earned rest.
Mia Audina was born in Indonesia and was one of the youngest players ever to appear for the national team. During the Uber Cup final in 1994 she played the deciding match against Zhang Ning which ensured that Indonesia beat China 3-2. This was in front of thousands of passionate fans in Jakarta. Audina instantly became a national hero. She confirmed her place in the history books by winning her first silver medal at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games.
A few years later, Audina switched countries and continents to represent the Netherlands. This didn’t stop her from winning tournaments and medals. It also started a successful women’s doubles partnership with Lotte Bruil (nee Jonathans).
In 2004 Audina reached her peak. At the European Championships Audina claimed an impressive double, winning the women’s singles and women’s doubles gold medals. Later on in August at the Athens Olympic Games, Audina defeated Gong Ruina to reach the women’s singles final, but Zhang Ning claimed revenge for 10 years earlier, denying Audina the chance to win gold.
Audina also won silver medal in the women’s singles at the European Championships in 2002 and 2006. This year she also helped Netherlands win the European Women’s Team Championships, plus second place at the Uber Cup.
Badminton Europe congratulates Mia Audina on her remarkable career and wishes her a very happy retirement.
Source:badders.com
