Japan's badminton team have made great progress in the run-up to Tokyo 2020. Their current strength owes much to the appointment in 2004 of Park Joo-bong as head coach. Park analyzed why Japan, despite technical ability and smashing power, were unable to win in international competition, and concluded the players lacked the strong resolve to win no matter what. Park overcame significant opposition to change Japan's attitude to badminton. We look back on the secrets behind this success story.