Barbados’ top two female badminton players,
Monyata Riviera and Tamisha Williams, are continuing to work hard on developing their craft.
Riviera and Williams, the reigning Caribbean women’s doubles champions at the Caribbean Regional Badminton Confederation (CAREBACO) told Barbados TODAY they were keeping themselves competition-ready.
Riviera who won her first senior women’s national title this year against former champion Williams said she was hoping to make an appearance for the first time at the United States Open and Canadian Open but they were now cancelled. In addition, she was also eyeing the CAREBACO International and Suriname Championship.
“Usually I like to go to three particular tournaments each year just to get more experience. Yes, they are tough tournaments but I like to include new ones instead of sticking to the same tournaments, “ Riviera said.
She added: “I won’t say it is a big disappointment because of the whole pandemic. I guess it is a blessing in disguise somewhat that we are actually safe because everything was cancelled. But at the same time, I am hoping some of the tournaments take place because at some of them we do actually medal especially CAREBACO and Suriname. But with all that is taking place, it just means that I have more time to train.”
Tamisha Williams (left) and Monyata Riviera
Like many other national athletes who have been working out at home during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) curfew, Riviera noted that she created a workout plan to assist her during this lockdown time.
“I created some mini workouts to do during the week so at least maybe four, five times a week and like two rest days to relax and stretch. I have dumbbells here, some are weighted, some are like bodyweight targeting every area of the body,” Riviera said.
Riviera has a world ranking of 345 in singles behind former five-time national champion Williams who is positioned 278 and remains the local number one.
Both women are trained by senior national coach Athelstone Forde. Williams said since being at home she was better able to manage her eating and workouts.
“I am in contact with my coach every day so he sends me physical routines to do. Or sometimes we go through workouts on WhatsApp,” she said.
Besides senior nationals where she was hoping to repeat as champion for a sixth consecutive year, Williams said she had no other goals in mind for this year. She noted that the plan was to keep working hard, keep fit and healthy during this COVID-19 lockdown.
morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb
