The last two tournaments of the Olympic year in Peru and Miami were unbelievable experiences for me – I won both tournaments.

On the way to victory in Miami.

I had won the Peru International, part of the Future Series, last year, but it was still very important for me to win because its my home and I knew everybody was watching me.

I felt under a lot of pressure because I had been training in the world training center in Germany and I also had an Olympic scholarship, so I felt I had to make it really a good performance. Also as it's the end of the Olympic year, I needed the points.

The first rounds were OK but in the semi-finals I had to play against a Spanish girl; it was a very hard match and we played for around an hour. My father, who is my biggest admirer, brought all of my family to watch – I was really nervous, I felt sick to my stomach.

I lost the first set making unbelievable mistakes that I never normally would do. Somehow my hand and body were too tense to play and to move I had no exclusivity , it was a disaster. But then before going to the second set I told myself I had to do my best, it didn't matter if I won or lost. Suddenly I was more relaxed and things started to get better and I won the last two sets, what a relief!

In the final I played against another Spanish girl who beat an Australian in the other semi-final, but in this match I was on fire! I was very motivated and won in two straight sets.

It felt unbelievable to win a tournament especially this year because the players are stronger and tournaments are tougher now that everybody needs points for the Olympics.

My family and friends were very happy for me and invited me to go and celebrate, but not until the week afterwards. The following week I had another tournament in Miami. Sometimes being responsible is a little bit boring, ha ha.

Then I flew to Miami with some of my team mates form Peru. Those are the tournaments I really like to go; traveling with my friends we joke all the time on the airplane. Most of the time I fly alone and it is so boring because Peru is so far from everything, especially from Germany where I practice.

I always like the Miami tournament because the weather is amazing, the hotel, the people, and the shopping!

I won the tournament but here I played the final against my doubles partner. We had both reached the finals by beating Australians in the semis. It was funny because we played the doubles final first, but neither of us could concentrate in that match, we were thinking about the final that was later.

So in the end we lost our doubles match, but at least I won the singles.

I like to play tournaments in America because I know all the players and we are close friends. Sometimes to save money they stay in my house or I stay in theirs if the tournaments are in their countries... yup, badminton players don't earn as much money as tennis players!

So after my win we went out that night to celebrate because winning these two tournaments I am almost sure to be in the Olympics! I don't think I will really believe it until I am in the stadium in Beijing with my Peruvian track suit on - it's going to be the biggest experience of my life!

Well, now I am going back home to Peru for two, well deserved, weeks of vacation. Kestus (my boyfriend) is coming with me, so I am sure we will have a good time.

Well I hope you enjoyed my blog!

Thanks for reading, Claudia.