BEIJING, July 24,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Earlier in May, the
Badminton World Federation (BWF) unveiled the list of qualified
participants for the Paris Olympics, with 173 athletes competing in
five disciplines. The Chinese team is the only team in the world
set to participate in all five events.
The only country ever to achieve a clean sweep of gold medals,
accomplished at the 2012 Summer Olympics, China has been dominating badminton at the
Summer Olympics.
However, their Olympics performances after London hit a slump, as Team China finished the
Tokyo Olympics with only two gold and four silver medals, bouncing
back from a lackluster Rio Olympics performance of two golds, one
bronze in 2016.
However, lately the Chinese national team players showed quality
form at the Thomas and Uber Cup finals, winning the two prestigious
team titles for the first time in 12 years, raising hopes that the
team could repeat the feat they accomplished at the London
Olympics.
In this installment of the Road to Paris series, Global Times reporter Lu Wenao
offers insight into the Chinese shuttlers squad that bears
China's gold medal hopes.
Winning the Thomas and Uber Cup finals was a confidence booster
for the Chinese national badminton team's Olympic campaign this
year, Chinese Badminton Association chief Zhang Jun said, noting that the team looks ready
to restore its pride in the sport. He stated that the national
team's goal for the Paris Olympics remains five gold medals,
although there are strong competitors in every discipline.
Thomas Lund, secretary-general of
the BWF, also told the Global Times that Team China players
consistently perform well at the elite level and always provide
strong competition for their opponents.
"China has tremendous badminton
infrastructure and support networks to develop a deep talent pool
across the country, which has constantly produced champions over
many years," Lund told the Global Times.
"In recent years, we have been fortunate to witness new
champions emerging, and traditional powerhouses being tested to the
limit."
With a blend of seasoned champions and emerging stars, the team
is well-equipped to tackle the challenges ahead.
Shi Yuqi: Men's singles maestro
Shi Yuqi has emerged as a beacon of hope for China in men's singles badminton now that aces
Lin Dan and Chen Long have retired from the sport. Shi is
now shouldering the responsibility of being the captain of the
national team.
His journey to fame began at a young age, when he showcased his
talent in various junior tournaments. By 2016, he had already
started making waves on the senior circuit, culminating in a silver
medal at the BWF World Championships in 2018.
Shi's play style is characterized by his agility and tactical
intelligence, which have often left his opponents scrambling.
Despite facing injuries that hampered his progress, Shi's
resilience saw him bounce back to claim victory at the All England
Open in 2018, one of the sport's most prestigious titles.
At the Thomas Cup held in Chengdu earlier in May, Shi contributed to the
team's success by winning all his six singles matches.
"Good performance comes from managing psychological challenges
well," Shi told the Global Times. "If you carry too much pressure
and responsibility, it can actually hinder your performance.
Honestly, there will definitely be pressure, but I think handling
these mental hurdles well is something I've been doing effectively
during this period."
As he prepares for the Paris Olympics, Shi is determined to
convert his past experiences into Olympic glory, aiming to add to
China's illustrious badminton
legacy.
Chen Yufei: Women's singles
sensation
Chen Yufei's crowning achievement
came at the Tokyo Olympics, where she secured the gold medal,
reaffirming China's dominance in
women's singles. Her style of play, which combines relentless
defense with strategic offense, has made her a formidable opponent
on the court.
"My opponents always come at me with the mind-set of challenging
me, and their mental state is often better than mine," she told the
Global Times, noting she had to make adjustments after initially
struggling to adapt.
"Over the past year, I've been slowly adjusting. Now, I feel
that every opponent has something I can learn from," she noted.
The Olympic campaign undoubtedly presents many challenges, such
as maintaining physical health and preparing for opponents'
targeted strategies. With this humble and modest attitude, Chen is
tackling the challenges in her buildup toward the Paris
Olympics.
"Although I'm not in the best condition right now, I'm still in
the first tier. I need to be more confident. If I maintain a good
physical condition, I think I still have a good chance to defend my
title," she said.
"But this process will definitely be very difficult, so it's
about taking things one step at a time and handling every detail in
the process as I strive to achieve this goal," she concluded.
As Chen heads to Paris,
expectations are high for her to continue her winning streak and
inspire a new generation of badminton enthusiasts in China.
Liang Weikeng &Wang Chang: Men's doubles dynamos
The dynamic duo Liang Weikeng and Wang
Chang in men's doubles have become household names in
Chinese badminton. Both born in the early 2000s, their partnership
began in their teenage years and quickly blossomed into one of the
most formidable pair ups in international badminton.
Their breakthrough came at the 2021 world championships, where
they secured a bronze medal, showcasing their potential on the
global stage. Liang and Wang's synergy on the court is their
biggest asset, with their complementary playing styles allowing
them to dominate their opponents.
"We have won championships, we've also been runners-up, and of
course, there have been times when we didn't perform well," Wang
said. "Experiencing failure helps us grow and teaches us how to
handle future matches."
Though many Chinese badminton fans are still skeptical of the
pair's consistency, their journey in the sport, now ranked at world
No.2, has already inspired many young people to pick up a
racket.
Chen Qingchen & Jia Yifan: Women's doubles queens
Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan have established themselves as the
queens of women's doubles badminton. The pair, known as Fan-Chen
domestically, began their partnership in their early teens and have
since become one of the most successful pairs in the sport's
history.
Their journey to fame includes multiple titles, with notable
victories at the world championships in 2017, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Their ability to anticipate each other's moves and their relentless
attack style have earned them numerous accolades.
"Whenever I step onto the court, I really want to win the game
with my partner. The two of us are actually like one person. With
such great pressure, there are only the two of us facing it on the
court, and no one else can help us," Chen said of her partnership
with Jia.
"Before we go on court, we exchange a smile, a smile that only
the two of us can understand at that moment. I think there won't be
a third person in this world who can understand our feelings at
that moment, so this feeling is very precious."
Jia said her partner Chen plays "like a spring."
"The higher the pressure is, the higher she will bounce back.
She is not someone who forsakes," Jia said.
Though they suffered a bitter Olympic final defeat in
Tokyo in 2021, the duo is
currently sitting in first place in the women's doubles ranking
thanks to their dedication and unwavering determination.
Zheng Siwei & Huang Yaqiong: Mixed doubles magicians
Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong, China's mixed doubles magicians, have
captivated audiences with their seamless coordination and unmatched
skill.
Both players boast impressive individual resumes, but it is
their partnership that has truly made them stand out. Since teaming
up in 2017, the pair, known as Ya-Si in China, have won numerous titles, including
three world championships.
A Tokyo Olympics final defeat to teammates Wang Yilu and Huang
Dongping has propelled the duo to continue honing their skills,
both physically and mentally.
"Our mind-set is much better for this Olympics compared to the
last one. Previously, we didn't know what the Olympics would be
like, so we prepared for the last Olympics by training intensely
and aggressively," Huang revealed.
"That approach wasn't effective and led to injuries, which
affected our training and competition. This time, we will maintain
a calm mind-set. As we age, our recovery isn't as quick as it was
during the previous Olympics. We need to ensure we train with the
highest quality within our capabilities."
Their dynamic playing style, characterized by swift exchanges
and powerful smashes, has made them a formidable force in mixed
doubles badminton. As they head to the Paris Olympics, Zheng and
Huang are determined to reinforce supremacy in the sport.
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SOURCE Global Times