Twin sisters are Paris-bound for badminton after taking a break for college and accounting careers

For an opponent standing across the badminton net from twin sisters Kerry and Annie Xu, it would be hard to strategize the weaknesses and strengths of each in the heat of battle.

For an opponent standing across the badminton net from twin sisters Kerry and Annie Xu, it would be hard to strategize the weaknesses and strengths of each in the heat of battle.

“Very hard for the opponent to say ‘Hey, which one is not good today,’” laughed coach Harry Tan.

Though the 24-year-old sisters are individuals in every respect, their play on the badminton court has become one of a singular force — that’s propelled them to a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the doubles category, even after a four-year layoff during which they barely touched a racket.

“We are like considered pretty close,” said Kerry Xu, sitting inside Milpitas’ Bay Badminton Club where the sisters have trained the last fourteen years. “More like best friends.”

For the record — Annie is the older of the twins by two minutes. Aside from that two-minute separation, they’ve been together most of the journey since. They did homework together. Shopped together. And of course played together. As kids, their parents had them try out a variety of sports. Badminton was the one that stuck.

https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/olympics/kerry-annie-xu-badminton-paris-olympics-rcna159224

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