Sho Sasaki

Sasaki is Japan’s top-ranked player and currently ranked No. 6 in the world ahead of his Olympic debut. He had a very successful 2011 campaign, winning the U.S. Open and Australian Open and finishing as the runner-up at the Vietnam Open. Sasaki has earned a reputation for posting some impressive upsets, knocking off Chinese stars Lin Dan - the current world champion - and Chen Jin at the 2011 Indonesian Open. After failing to make the Olympics in previous attempts, Sasaki revamped his attitude and training methods in order to gain a berth to London. He replaced his physical trainer to start a new muscle-building regimen while also hiring a ‘mental trainer’ in June 2009. One of the more colorful characters on tour, Sasaki is known for his post-tournament drinking sprees when he returns home to the Toyama prefecture, where he is employed as an office worker. Sasaki figures to be a dangerous sleeper in London, especially after a close loss to Lin in the Thomas Cup semifinals in May.