Red Sports Interviews Noriko Goh, Singapore Sports School

BADMINTON

North Zone ‘B’ Division
Tuesday, 13 February 2007, at Xinmin Secondary School

Interviews and Match Reports by Coach Dick Yip. Pictures by Leslie Tan. Text and pictures © soulbreath pictures.

Red Sports interviews Noriko Goh

Noriko Goh, Singapore Sports School

Noriko Goh, 15-years-old, was a former school champion from Gongshang Primary and is now studying at the Singapore Sports School. Her father, Mr Tomi Goh, is currently stationed in Bangkok, is a keen badminton player who follows her progress with great interest. He expressed great delight with redsports.sg for covering Singapore’s school sports. After wining her 1st singles game against Victoria Wee of CHIJ – St Joseph’s Convent, 11-4, 11-3, Noriko sat down with Red Sports’ Coach Dick Yip for a short chat.

Coach: "Were you aware of your rival’s strengths or weaknesses before the match?"

Noriko: "No. I concentrate only on my own game. "

Coach: If you were asked to describe your strengths and areas to improve on, what would you say?

Noriko: "Well, I’ll say that I’m an attacking player, that is, my attack play is quite strong. My main weakness is still my footwork. and covering of the court. As a result, when I arrive late at the net to return or retrieve a net shot, I often take it too low down, too deep."

Coach: What are you doing about that?

Noriko: "My coaches, one of whom is sitting right there (she pointed, he smiled and I went over to shake the hand of Mr Ardian Kusnanto from Indonesia), are working with me to improve this aspect of my game. And it is getting better!"

Coach: You have a good height for a player, name me one other attribute you are hoping for?

Noriko: "Yes, I’m about 1.66 metres and I’m hoping to lose some weight!"