Jogis Is First in His Sport

“My goal has always been to be the first American to play in the Olympics.”

Not everyone can say that. Chris Jogis of Manhattan Beach can.

Not only did Jogis, 27, become the first U.S. athlete to play Olympic badminton, he won his first-round match with ease. The left-hander needed only 26 minutes Tuesday to rout Dean Galt of New Zealand, 15-1, 15-3.

During one stretch, Jogis rattled off 25 consecutive points.

“By the luck of the draw, I was the first one here to compete,” said Jogis, the six-time U.S. men’s singles champion, who plays today against Broddi Kristjansson of Iceland. “Anything else I do here is a bonus.”