Anna Lao
Anna Lao is the most successful player in the history of Australian Badminton, taking home the title of Australian Badminton Open Triple Champion in both 1989 and 1991. She went on to compete in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics where she took out the best Olympic result ever in the history of Badminton in Australia; 5th in Ladies Singles and Doubles. Since then she has founded the Australian Badminton Academy, Australian Community Badminton Association and the Australian Badminton Club. She is also currently a Level 3 Australian National Level Coach, member of the National Coach Education Advisory Panel and the president of the World Chinese Badminton Federation - Australia Division.
Pre-Career
Since the age of 12, Anna played badminton as a hobby during school, and was later encouraged by her brother to play competitively. At the age of 14, the Guan Xi State Badminton Team held auditions at her school to select a few students, where Anna was selected, and received extensive training over the next several years.
Professional Career
At the age of 24, Anna migrated to Macau to further her career with her team, and played several Australian tournaments. This led to Anna’s domination of the Australian scene, obtaining the title of the Australian Open Triple Champion in 1989 & 1991 (Ladies Singles, Ladies Doubles & Mixed Doubles).
Afterwards, Anna migrated to Australia, simultaneously training whilst studying English and Commercial Accounting. In her first 4 years after migrating, Anna had played in tournaments in over 20 different countries, and was recognised by the Australian Olympic Committee who then selected Anna to represent Australia in badminton for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Anna progressed the furthest in Australian badminton history, placing 5th in ladies singles, and doubles.
Anna competed in badminton at the 1992 Summer Olympics in women's singles.[1] She lost in quarterfinals to Tang Jiuhong, of China, 11-1, 11-9. She also competed in women's doubles with Rhonda Cator, and they lost in quarterfinal to Lin Yan Fen and Yao Fen. The same year, they won the French Open.[2]
Post-Career
After ending her olympic career, Anna established the Australian Badminton Academy, in order to promote and foster new generations of badminton players in Australia. She is currently still the head coach of the Australian Badminton Academy. From that, she has produced many champions. Many of her students have made the Australian State and National badminton teams and constantly strive to beat her record achievement in the Olympics as she continues to coach.[3]