Curiosity Series 292 — VS Youlong

Karry September 21, 2024 0

During my recovery, I received my first-ever gift-box edition racket, which gave me quite a pleasant surprise upon unboxing it. The Weichen Longying (Dragon Shadow) gained some recognition last year. As a former national player’s signature model, its high price and the use of top-quality materials make it easy for people to be intrigued by its build quality. For an independent brand, producing a high-end racket in a gift-box edition is a risky move, but it’s clear that Weichen has a lot of confidence in the quality of this product.

Needless to say, the moment I received it, my desire to play surged again… but I must exercise restraint. I’ll probably only be able to test it on the court at 80% strength for now.

Specifications:
4UG6
Weight: 84.7g strung with heat-shrink film, 91.0g with an overgrip
Balance Point: 302mm
Shaft: 6.0mm ultra-thin, 210mm long, medium-stiff
Frame: Aerodynamic box frame
String bed: 76 holes, full groove
String Tension Guarantee: 32 lbs, strung at 25-27 lbs with Weichen V3 strings

The paintwork on the Longying represents Weichen’s highest craftsmanship. The deep blue base color has a rich texture, with a high gloss finish, giving it a shimmering effect. The frame has an asymmetrical design, with purple-red on one side and Tiffany blue on the other, decorated with dragon patterns. The textured surface instantly reminds me of relief sculptures, which feels very premium.

The head of the racket is slightly heavy, but it doesn’t feel clumsy. When you swing it in the air, you can sense a certain degree of agility. Besides its well-balanced swing weight, the narrowed and rounded frame helps reduce wind resistance, thus improving swing speed. This first impression should feel familiar to those who’ve tried rackets used by elite men’s singles players.

Thanks to the friendly swing weight, the racket adapts well to basic strokes like clears. The ultra-thin shaft provides great elasticity, and the head’s appropriate weight allows good power transfer. The feedback from the racket is quite crisp, with a lively response that’s easy to feel when you strike the shuttlecock. It doesn’t feel stiff or cause hand vibration.

The frame itself is a mature design, and the tension on the string bed is slightly higher than on standard larger frames. Players sensitive to tension may need to lower it by around half a pound. The sweet spot is quite consistent, which lowers the difficulty of using the racket and enhances the overall stability of your shots. In terms of torsion resistance, the Longying performs at the level of top-tier gear. The directional accuracy of your shots is superb, and you can achieve excellent control whether it’s soft taps, deceptive drop shots, or powerful smashes and interceptions. With proper preparation and form, the shot placement is highly accurate.

The quick response and stable overall setup make the Longying feel great in fast exchanges. With a balance point of 300mm, it might not be the most flexible racket, but in fast-paced front-court duels, it holds its own. The racket releases the shuttle with a quick rebound on small efforts, with fast initial speeds and the ability to change direction without losing control. The stability of the racket gives it a certain control over the pace of fast rallies.

However, this racket isn’t perfect in every way. The crisp response shortens the shuttle hold time, and the stiffer ultra-thin shaft increases the difficulty of driving power into the racket. For example, in the second half of a match, when my stamina drops, it’s harder to produce high-quality smashes, especially considering that I’m still recovering from my recent illness. However, when I am at full strength, the Longying’s smashing power is impressive. Rather than overwhelming with sheer force, the Longying is a sharp weapon with a high ceiling. Its ability to store energy during a smash results in a fast, heavy shot, enough to score points even when the opponent manages to escape a well-placed clear.

I also love using the Longying for defensive play, especially for returns. The crisp and lively style makes it easy to counterattack with well-timed returns, comfortably lifting the shuttle high. In several rounds of play, I was able to capitalize on a weak shot from my opponent, driving them to the corners or taking the point with a cross-court drive.

However, during defensive play, the Longying demands a lot from the player, particularly in terms of technique and explosive power, due to the reduced shuttle hold time. When handling low defensive clears, it’s easy to only return the shuttle to the middle of the court. This is especially true in mixed doubles when partnering with a less decisive player, and we end up in a passive position. Over time, opponents can anticipate these soft defensive returns and capitalize.

The Gift Box

Lastly, I must mention the gift box. Every gear enthusiast would be excited to receive something like this, and it’s easy to see why. The outer packaging uses Tiffany blue as the base, with a dragon motif that matches the name “Dragon Shadow.” It’s simple but eye-catching. Inside, the box is packed with extras, including wristbands, overgrips, a racket bag, and Weichen’s own V3 string, making it a thoughtful and complete set. It reminds me of the O3 oxygen bag they also produce.

If you’re considering a gift for a fan of Xue Song or a practical player, this is a high-value, well-thought-out option.

After a few weeks of rest, my urge to play badminton is growing stronger. Unfortunately, most clubs and work units still aren’t organizing activities, so finding opportunities to play remains difficult. As such, I still can’t return to full playing intensity.

As Coach Leilei said, once you’re back on the court, don’t expect to hold back too much. After recovering from COVID, it’s easy to turn that “I won’t push too hard” into “Oh, there’s a high ball, I’ll smash it!” during your first match back.