HO-SHUE Jason

General
BALANCING SINGLES AND DOUBLES
He admits competing in both singles and doubles competition can be physically and mentally demanding, but says he is planning to compete in both events at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. "For sure it's very tiring physically, also the strategy is very different when I play singles and doubles. I train around 80% singles and 20% doubles. I just enjoy singles. I enjoy doubles too, it's just that it's hard for me to pick one. I have a good chance to qualify for the [2020] Olympics for both, so why not do it if I have the chance?" (olympics.bwfbadminton.com, 07 Feb 2020)

FINANCIAL TROUBLES
Following the death of his father in 2011, both he and his mother took on full-time work to try to support Jason and his sister's badminton careers. "In Canada badminton receives very little funding compared to the more well-known sports such as basketball, baseball and ice hockey. When we travel all costs are our own responsibility. We are all individually self-funded and with so much travelling for competitions, the costs can build up. During my second year of university I studied full-time, worked full-time in a hospital doing information technology, coached on the weekends and did my training every evening. I was doing everything I could to help pay for my badminton expenses and lessen the burden for my mother." (gofundme.com, 06 Aug 2019)

FATHER AND RETIREMENT THOUGHTS
His father was his first coach and a large influence on his badminton career, and he says he considered retiring from the sport after his father died in 2011. "In 2011 my father suddenly passed away due to heart failure while playing badminton. I contemplated walking away from the sport for good. How could something we both shared and love, be the reason he isn't here with us anymore? With the help of family, coaches, and friends, I was able to realise that badminton is something very special that is shared between me and my father. He would not want me to stop playing. I used this as motivation going into the next couple of tournaments shortly after my father's passing. My father is still my inspiration to this day." (gofundme.com, 06 Aug 2019)