To start with, I intend for this thread to be about my expertise as a participant. For discussions about rules relating to transgender gamers, there already exists a thread.
Second, my expertise popping out has been very nice. I’ve not had any unfavorable expertise with my crew and the golf equipment I play at. With regards to competitors, I’m persevering with to play within the mens league, though I current feminine. The league has been contacted and has mentioned it should not be an issue.
I began hormone alternative remedy at the beginning of March 2024. On the time of this submit I’m 7+ months into HRT. I kept away from posting to date as a result of I used to be not out socially (at the very least not on badminton circles), and this account is considerably identifiable. Nonetheless, actually earlier right this moment I got here out on the final place I hadn’t but and so beneath are some video recordings from earlier than I began HRT up to some weeks in the past at 7 months.
Sorry concerning the white partitions. Additionally word that it’s at all times the identical opponent, as a result of he information his video games. I am simply fortunate to play him for a few of these. I am sporting the crimson shirt.
Pre-HRT:
5 Months HRT:
7 Months HRT. Black shorts on this one.
The principle distinction in comparison with earlier than is stamina. I really feel like I’ve misplaced some pace of motion, however not so much. I believe my prime pace remains to be fairly near what it was, however the period of how lengthy I can play at that prime pace is drastically diminished. If I may go full blast for 5-8 factors earlier than, now I can barely handle 1-2. This has had a drastic impact on how I play. Whereas earlier than I used to be attempting to outpace my opponent, now I am attempting to sluggish the sport down so I can final until the tip. I get drained a lot quicker than earlier than. Whereas it’s sure that I’ve misplaced muscle, I’ve additionally gained about 6 kilograms since March additionally attributable to HRT, so it’s tough to guage to what extent my stamina loss is because of muscle atrophy in comparison with simply being heavier. Probably the two compound one another.
I do not really feel like I’ve misplaced a lot on full energy pictures. If I’m on stability, and I’ve the time for the total motion, I am hitting near as arduous as I did earlier than. What is way diminished is short-hitting-action-power-shots. That is truly rather more noticeable in doubles, however almost all wrist-smashes (or nevertheless you need to name it), have been changed with drops. I was very smash-happy, however now I am smashing a lot much less, solely going for it if I am in a superb place.
Now that I can’t sustainably outpace my opponents (and even sustain in some cases), I’ve seen that it’s completely important that I keep in charge of the rally. Earlier than, I may play with extra abandon, enjoying very aggressive and never worrying about getting out of place or off stability, as a result of I may principally get well attributable to sheer physicality. Now, I can’t afford to lose my stability or get out of place as a result of I’ll merely lose. As a result of I’m pressured to play slower, I’m intently enjoying with smaller margins to forestall the opponent from gaining a bonus, and I really feel like my shot high quality has improved and has gotten extra constant. I am additionally enjoying many extra backhands in comparison with earlier than, and my excessive backhand is unquestionably my most improved shot.
I am enjoying my opponent’s again courtroom extra. I really feel like if I keep in after a web shot to cowl or assault my opponent’s return, I’ve extra hassle overlaying the again courtroom within the case of a raise (or at the very least do not have sufficient time to have a bonus). And if I can not keep in sufficient to realize a bonus, then I seemingly have higher possibilities by placing stress on my opponent’s again courtroom. Equally, I’ve switched nearly solely to a excessive serve as a result of it’s simpler to defend the return. I simply have to fret a few attainable smash, however generally my outcomes with a excessive serve are higher. I really feel like towards a participant that performs aggressive off my brief serve, I’ve hassle overlaying every part constantly.
My outcomes have not modified an excessive amount of. On the whole I’m extra reliant on my opponent to make errors. Earlier than, I may power factors off my opponents. If the rating was tight, or I am behind, I might simply give extra vitality, play quicker, play tougher, and power the purpose. I can’t try this anymore, or at the very least not sufficient. In opposition to sure gamers my outcomes have suffered rather more than towards others. A sure older participant has enhance his scores towards me considerably. He’s very constant and strikes nicely. Earlier than, I may merely outpace him for snug wins. Now, the scores are often very shut and I am beginning to lose to him typically. My outcomes towards the participant within the movies truly have not suffered an excessive amount of, if in any respect, since I’ve at all times relied on consistency to win towards him. I truly gained that final match (7monthsHRT). The sport plan hasn’t modified; do not let him smash and await errors, anything I get by attacking is a bonus.
Anyway, that is the place I’m proper now. I really feel that as my bodily functionality retains declining, I’ll get to some extent the place I will not be capable to compensate for it. I am pleasantly shocked by my continued constant outcomes, however I am feeling increasingly that I’m much less in charge of the end result of a match, and extra on the mercy of my opponent’s type on the day.
If anybody has any recommendation relating to my particular state of affairs, please share. If anybody has any questions on related issues I failed to say, please ask. I might prefer to maintain the main focus totally on the badminton side of my transition, however I’ll reply different questions as long as they’re applicable.
I’ll proceed to submit updates with movies as I purchase them, at the very least till I really feel that my stage has stabilized, which, based on the literature, ought to take between 1 and a pair of years.