KUALA LUMPUR: Once touted as a badminton prodigy, K. Letshanaa is now on a journey to salvage her career.
In 2020, at the age of 17, the Selangor shuttler got called up to the national senior squad, but a back injury a year later saw the former national junior champion sidelined for months, eventually leading to her resignation.
Nine months later, Letshanaa is back on court with a target to strike gold at the Malaysia Games.
Today, for the first time, Letshanaa opened up about the challenges of turning pro, and her dreams of qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
"It has been a long road of recovery for me since I officially left BAM in December last year. It was a tough decision, but I had to because I wasn't fit to compete and I wasn't recovering either.
"Now back outside, I am trained by my brother (K. Jothiswaran) and father (A. Karupathevan).
"I am feeling much better, and have lost about six kilos since putting on weight before this because I wasn't playing competitive badminton.
"This is my first competitive match since my last participation at the Czech Open last October.
"Right now, the biggest challenge for me is trying to secure sponsors. My ranking has dropped, so I will need to play in about 10-14 tournaments a year to get my ranking up before I can target to play in higher-tier events.
"As such, it is crucial for me to target gold here at the Malaysia Games," said Letshanaa following her rousing 21-2, 21-13 win over Kelantan's Yeap Phoi Lin at the Axiata Arena today.
Letshanaa, who currently trains at the Flying Spirit Badminton Academy in Selayang and Sungai Buloh, pointed out that the absence of two-time former world junior champion Goh Jin Wei from the Malaysia Games could be a blessing in disguise.
Penang's Jin Wei opted to sit out the competition to focus on the Chattisgarsh International Challenge in India.
"Jin Wei is in a different class, I must admit. In her absence, there is a very good chance for the rest of the playing field and I want to take it. This is the only way for me to gain attention.
"I want to play top level badminton and qualify for the 2028 Olympics," added Letshanaa, who will set up a crowd-funding site once the Games are over.
Letshanaa, who aims to break into the world top 100, will compete in two Australian tournaments next month, and another in New Zealand after that.
Well-wishers who wish to support the talented player can get in touch directly through her Instagram page, Letshanaa A Karupathevan.
Letshanaa will face Perlis's Dyvylyn Saha Devincy Saha next, for a place in the Malaysia Games quarter-finals.
Selected first round results
Men's singles: Chia Jeng Hon (Pah) bt Lim Chong King (FT) 21-8, 21-16; Ong Zhen Yi (Pen) bt Khew Sayan (Ter) 21-14, 21-13; Ong Ken Yon (Mel) bt V. Poopathi (Ked) 21-14, 18-21, 23-21; Shaqeem Eiman Shahyar (Sel) bt Goo Vie Kieat (Kel) 21-8, 21-12; Lee Shun Yang (Pen) bt Goh Shun Khiat (Sar) 21-14, 21-12.
Women's singles: K. Letshanaa (Sel) bt Yeap Phoi Lin (Kel) 21-2, 21-13; Joanne Ng May Yin (Mel) bt Chloe Yeo Feng Yun (Pah) 21-11, 21-8; Arena Satu Samin (Sab) bt Nurin Aina Nasuha Mohd Ridzuan (Ter) 21-11, 21-9; K.Yeshveenii (Ked) bt Chew Tze Teng (Nse) 22-20, 21-7; Ong Xin Yee (FT) bt Wong Ling Ching (Sar) 21-14, 21-8.
Men's doubles: Bryan Jeremy Goonting-Low Han Chen (FT) bt Lai Jia Qin-Muhammad Danish Abdel Mohsin (Per) 21-10, 21-15; Lwi Sheng Hao-Yap Roy King (Jhr) bt Chia Wei Jie-Fazriq Razif (FT) 21-17, 27-25; Eddrall Atek Deavis-Neville Baptist Nosuis Luaran (Sab) bt Ong Phang Hang-Wong Jun Hong (Pah) 21-9, 21-14.
Women's doubles: Toh Ee Wei-Yap Ling (Mel) bt K.Devadarshnee-Nur Sahira Mohd Puzi (Ked) 21-12, 21-6; Carmen Ting-Go Pei Kee (Jhr) bt Goo Vie Nie-Katherine Kang (Kel) 21-4, 21-3; V.Dharshinie-N.Saranya (Sel) bt Audrey Vanessa Chee Wan Tai-Sim Jia Min (Sar) 16-21, 21-11, 21-12.
Mixed doubles: Ooi Jhy Dar-Cheng Su Hui (Ked) bt Amer Irsyad Rosdi-Jang Sher Ling (Ter) 21-17, 21-12; Justin Hoh-Wong Kha Yan (FT) bt Lye Jun Yew-Chong Jie Yu (Per) 21-15, 21-12; Haikal Nazri-Chan Wen Tse (Kel) bt Ter Chun Long-Ho Lo Ee (Sel) 21-11, 21-10.