In the world of sports, the path to greatness is often fraught with setbacks, perseverance, and moments of sheer resilience. Nathan Tang opens up about his experience as a high-performance athlete and his journey to the Paris Olympics qualifications.  

A Day in the Life 

Nathan's typical training day begins at the crack of dawn. Rising at 5 am, he prepares for the training session with the Badminton Victoria Senior State Squad, starting at 6:30 am. "I always aim to arrive by 6 am to warm up," he shares. The morning session wraps up by 9 am, after which he spends his time resting, eating lunch, coaching, and handling administrative tasks. His afternoons are equally demanding, with sparring or gym sessions between 4 and 6 pm, followed by a well-deserved dinner and personal downtime. 

Sharpening His Game 

There’s always room for improvement, even for experienced players like Nathan. Recently, he has been focusing on his front court skills, especially making his swing more deceptive. "Coach Vountus has been incredible in refining my game," he says. 

The Olympic Dream 

The road to Paris was anything but smooth. "It was mentally and physically demanding," Nathan admits, reflecting on the intense competition and off-court challenges. Despite falling short, he views the experience as a crucial learning curve. At 34, every moment on the court is savoured, knowing his competitive days are limited.  

“As cliché as it sounds, when I look back at my Olympic journey, I really learned a lot about myself and taught myself to trust the process no matter how tough the road was. After such a long and gruelling qualification year, I really just want to go out there and play freely while enjoying my time on the court.” 

The Road Ahead 

Nathan’s ambitions stretch beyond the Olympic dream. Winning national and continental championships, breaking into the top 100 in world rankings, and competing in the Thomas Cup are all within his sights.  
 
While missing out on the Paris Olympics was disappointing, Nathan remains determined to achieve his goals and inspire others through his journey. "I didn’t have a typical athlete journey, but I’ve had the honor to represent Australia at events like the 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2023 World Championships," he shares with pride. 

His journey is a shining example of resilience and the spirit of athletes who rise above setbacks, embodying the true essence of sportsmanship. It reminds us of all that the path to success is often lined with challenges, but it’s the journey and the lessons learned along the way that truly define us. 
 
Let’s continue to cheer on Nathan both on the court and off the court!