Anna Lao

Career Lao was ranked 2nd in China before she left to represent Australia in the Olympics, in which she was ranked 1st in Australia. She held the times of Master of Sports in China in 1985. Prior to her participation in the Olympics, she held the titles of the Australian Open in 1988, 1989 and 1991 in women's singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

Lao also reached the semifinals of the 1989 Malaysia Open. She was also a champion at the 1991 New Zealand Open and the 1992 French Open. She was a semifinalist at the 1992 Swedish Open.

1992 Barcelona Olympics Badminton was first introduced to the Olympic Games in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. She placed 5th in women's singles & women's doubles.

Women's doubles Lao played with her doubles partner Rhonda Cator. Their first game with Swiss players Silvia Albrecht & Bettina Villars were a success scoring 15–3, 15–6. Their second round was with Polish players Bożena Bąk & Wioletta Wilk Sosnowska where they won 15–3, 15–12. Lao and Cator entered the quarterfinals with the world champions Lin Yanfen & Yao Fen where they lost 13–18, 5–15. 1992 Summer Olympics – Women's doubles Round Partner Opponent Score Result 1st Rhonda Cator Silvia Albrech Bettina Villars 15–3, 15–6 Win 2nd Bożena Bąk Wioletta Wilk 15–3, 15–12 Win QF Lin Yan Fen Yao Fen 13–18, 5–15 Lost

Women's singles Lao played a total of 4 games and entered the quarterfinals. Her first game was with Bettina Villars, whom she played against previously in doubles and won easily in two games. Her second round was with Camilla Martin, a player from Denmark who later on received the European Championship three times. Lao won 11–6, 12–11. She later played with the European champion at the time, Elena Rybkina. Lao won in three games. After winning the third round of games, she was placed in the quarterfinals where she versed world champion Tang Jiuhong, and lost both games. 1992 Summer Olympics – Women's singles (1) Round Opponent Score Result 1st Bettina Villars 11–0, 11–4 Win 2nd Camilla Martin 11–6, 12–11 Win 3rd Elena Rybkhina 7–11, 11–7, 11–8 Win QF Tang Jiuhong 1–11, 9–11 Lost

Awards and recognition Courvoisier Award for Excellence Sports (1993) World Morning Cup 50-54 age Mix-Doubles Champion, Double 3rd (2012)

Achievements IBF International (11 titles, 2 runner-up) Women's singles Year Tournament Opponent Score Result 1989 Australian Open Rhonda Cator 11–5, 11–0 Winner 1990 Australian Open Susi Susanti 1–11, 4–11 Runner-up 1991 Australian Open Rhonda Cator 11–9, 11–1 Winner 1991 New Zealand Open Rhonda Cator 11–0, 12–11 Winner

Women's doubles Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result 1989 Australian Open Teresa Lian Rhonda Cator Gillian Sanderson 15–9, 15–3 Winner 1990 Australian Open Rhonda Cator Lisa Campbell Susi Susanti 15–8, 15–2 Winner 1991 Australian Open Rhonda Cator Teresa Lian Song Yang 15–3, 15–4 Winner 1991 New Zealand Open Rhonda Cator Lisa Campbell Adele Macdonald 15–7, 15–7 Winner 1992 French Open Rhonda Cator Katrin Schmidt Kerstin Ubben 15–7, 15–5 Winner

Mixed doubles Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result 1989 Australian Open He Tim Gary Silvester Tracey Small 15–11, 15–10 Winner 1990 Australian Open He Tim Ardy Wiranata Susi Susanti 15–11, 15–12 Winner 1991 Australian Open He Tim Peter Blackburn Lisa Campbell 15–5, 15–4 Winner 1991 New Zealand Open Darren Macdonald Peter Blackburn Lisa Campbell 8–15, 16–17 Runner-up