Oak Bay’s Riley Torstensen competes in doubles badminton at the 2018 BC Winter Games Feb. 22 to 25 in Kamloops.
Badminton runs in the family, for the Grade 8 student at St. Andrew’s Regional High School, from granddad to dad to Riley and a cousin who all inspired him to try it out about three years ago.
“I really liked it so I just went forward,” he said.
Now the 14-year-old is a member of Badminton Victoria under coach Graeme MacInnes.
“Everybody I play with is two or three years older and they all said go (to the BC Games),” he said. You get to have fun and you get to meet new people.”
He competes in the doubles action alongside Justin Siu, as well as team competition.
This week he plans to work hard – three days of hard training, one day of footwork and a bit of shot practice, then the day before competition (which happens to be travel day for the team) nothing but time to focus and free the mind.
He looks forward to the weekend away, competing and hanging out with those who share a passion for the sport.
“You share the same kind of connection,” he said.
Riley wants to hit the podium and has a plan.
“Get on the attack. If you’re on the defense you’re going to lose,” he says.
Follow the athletes online at bcgames.org.
