In badminton, often the focus is on the paths of individual players and their performances, but these are almost always connected to the ebbs and flows of the national team as a whole. Poland experienced its heights a decade ago. Michal Rogalski, who began his career during this golden era, speaks in detail about the current rebuilding process.

Rogalski, 32, has been a great ambassador of Polish Badminton for the last 10 years or more. 

Leading up to the Rio Olympics, between the years of 2013 and 2016, which some could view as the tail end of the golden era, with Robert Mateusiak (staying on for his fifth Olympics at 40 years of age) and Nadia Zięba continuing, and Przemysław Wacha switching to men’s doubles with Adam Cwalina, following the retirement of Michał Łogosz, there were some good times to be had, as Rogalski states. 

- We had a good three years for badminton during this period. We had a good Polish coach, and no ‘annual’ coach changes. I had my best results during these years. I felt like we all improved. But we did not appreciate it, so we made changes again. That is why we are where we are.

Read: Popov: I have to fill the gap as soon as possible

We will bounce back

So, what will the future be like for Poland? Rogalski, who has played through many of these varied times, is possibly one of the best people to comment on the subject.

- I see a bright future. Our former best players have started to coach the kids and open badminton academies. They are heavily involved in badminton. We have very talented young players. No more dramas at the moment and the situation is more stable. We have our own national centre. Nobody is fighting each other. I think good times will come. There is still a lot to do and we have to change our mentality to achieve better results and not simply change coaches every year, stated Rogalski.

- We will bounce back. I believe in that, but as always in sport, we need time and characters that are will to persistent to win, he adds.

Lastly, we ask Rogalski what short-term goal he has moving forward. He answered by saying. 

- Right now, I am writing my master’s degree thesis about training load and periodisation in badminton, and in June or July, I will defend it. In October, I have a CSCS exam for the National Strength and Conditioning Association in the US. So, it is a busy time ahead.