Jayce
October 1, Hangzhou Asian Games Badminton Team Finals In the morning, the Chinese women’s team faltered and missed out on the gold medal. In the evening, the men’s team faced India in the finals. With Shi Yuqi losing in the first singles match and the pair of Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang falling in the first doubles match, China found itself trailing 0-2, putting the team in a precarious situation. Whether the Chinese badminton team could present a gold medal to the nation on National Day depended on the next three matches, with the second singles match being especially critical. Li Shifeng, long hailed as the post-2000s leader of the Chinese badminton team, was set to take the stage.
Li Shifeng did not disappoint. Under immense pressure, he won in straight sets against Srikanth, turning the tide for the Chinese team and signaling the start of a comeback. In the final two matches, the second doubles and the third singles, China surged ahead, completing a remarkable turnaround and claiming the top spot. Li Shifeng’s stellar performance marked the peak of his career thus far, winning the Asian Games title without dropping a set and establishing himself as a dominant force.
A Less Than Ideal Pre-Asian Games Period
Since his stunning backflip celebration after winning the All-England title, Li Shifeng has experienced a turbulent six months. There were highlights, such as winning matches in the Sudirman Cup and becoming a world champion, but also lows, like frequently being eliminated in the early rounds of open tournaments. In the past few months, Li Shifeng had consistently struggled against two players: Indonesia’s Ginting and India’s Prannoy.
His recent performances in the World Championships and China Open—losing to Wang Tzu-Wei of Chinese Taipei in the third round and to teammate Lu Guangzu in the second round, respectively—were not encouraging, and his confidence was not at its peak entering the Asian Games preparation phase. Having participated in his first World Championships in 2021 with little understanding and missing out in 2022 due to insufficient ranking, Li Shifeng had high hopes for this year’s World Championships. However, once again, his focus and nervousness undermined his performance.
How should one mentally prepare for an important tournament? Unlike regular open tournaments, where gaining ranking points is the primary goal, major events like the World Championships and the Asian Games aim for the ultimate prize. The desire to win is strong, but so is the pressure—how should it be managed?
In the two weeks leading up to the Asian Games, Li Shifeng tried to create some space in his life free from badminton, using this small personal space to alleviate pre-tournament tension and anxiety. His only previous experience with a multi-sport event was the Youth Olympic Games, which cannot compare to the scale of the Asian Games. Furthermore, competing at home with high national attention and exposure brought different pressures and expectations, leading to a mindset of not allowing himself any slack.
The Key to Pre-Tournament Mental Adjustment
“Maintaining a good mindset is crucial!” Li Shifeng reminded himself upon entering the Asian Games Athletes’ Village.
In the first match of the team competition, facing Wang Tzu-Wei, whom he had lost to in the World Championships, Li Shifeng realized that all his pre-match mental preparation couldn’t compare to the courage needed on the court. The compact Binjiang Gymnasium intensified the tension, especially with the overall score tied at 1-1 between the Chinese men’s team and the Chinese Taipei men’s team. “It’s impossible not to be nervous. The emotions of a team competition are always there before stepping onto the court. The more you try to control your thoughts, the more they creep into your mind,” Li Shifeng said.
Distracting himself became his main focus on the day of the match and right before stepping onto the court: focusing on eating during meals without thinking about the match, getting a good night’s sleep without worrying about the next day’s competition, and thinking more about the opponent’s troublesome shots in the World Championships rather than the 1-1 scoreline. This seemingly casual preparation was a way to manage his mindset. Li Shifeng also reminded himself: in the Sudirman Cup earlier this year, he played the third match, so he had experience in this second singles position. Winning 21-14, 21-12, Li Shifeng successfully avenged his World Championships defeat and won his Asian Games debut, setting a positive tone for the next ten days.
Breaking the Slump, Turning the Tide
On October 1, the finals of the men’s team event at the Asian Games took place. In the morning, the Chinese women’s team failed to secure the gold medal in the women’s team event. In the evening, during the men’s team finals, Shi Yuqi and the pair of Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang lost consecutively. The Chinese team had not won a single match all day, and the atmosphere in the Binjiang Gymnasium felt heavy with gloom. The situation for the Chinese team was far from ideal.
This match was crucial for the overall outcome because the Indian men’s team’s strategy was clear: to win the first three points. Their first singles player, Prannoy, was sidelined due to injury, so their original second and third singles players, Lakshya Sen and Srikanth, respectively, moved up a spot, paired with a formidable doubles team. They were fully capable of securing victory in the first three matches. Indeed, they won the first two matches as planned, and India was just one step away from the title. China’s last hope to prevent the opponents from realizing their dream rested on Li Shifeng.
Looking ahead, the first two points were lost, creating immense pressure with a 0-2 deficit. Looking back, China had the advantage in the last two matches. Therefore, the outcome hinged on this crucial match. The continuous losses throughout the day had dampened the team’s spirits. Li Shifeng remembered the quiet atmosphere in the warm-up area, where he adjusted his mindset amidst the silence and his internal fluctuations, striving to perform at his best.
Having previously played second singles and lost in similar 0-2 situations in the Thomas Cup, Li Shifeng had replayed those matches in his mind countless times, considering how he would feel if he found himself in that position again. “When the score is 0-2, I’ve never won before. Is this a curse? There’s no pressure at 2-0, and it’s equal at 1-1. But if I can win at 0-2, doesn’t that prove my capability even more?”
Once again, reality moved faster than plans. The 0-2 scoreline was an invisible pressure, while the opponents’ 2-0 lead gave them the freedom to play without constraints. Under pressure, Li Shifeng felt the internal struggle intensify, with each point draining his energy significantly. Previously, in such pressured situations, he might have faltered, hesitated, or been overwhelmed. However, in Hangzhou, Li Shifeng was different. His eyes were resolute, and his movements were smooth.
In the first game, Li Shifeng withstood Srikanth’s attacks and powerful plays, holding on with the determination to fight for every point, ultimately winning 24-22. With the first game in hand and his youth and stamina as advantages, Li Shifeng’s psychological pressure diminished considerably. He knew that even if the match extended to three games, he had the confidence and physical edge to compete. The match eventually turned into a battle of attrition, and Li Shifeng triumphed 21-9, securing a victory that was nearly a lifeline for the Chinese team.
Success often follows a unique trajectory, like celestial bodies aligning for a fleeting moment to present a spectacular view. This match was akin to Doctor Strange signaling “one” to Iron Man—one possible way to victory. Li Shifeng’s win heralded a Chinese team comeback. The second doubles team, Liu Yuchen and Ou Xuanyi, and the third singles player, Weng Hongyang, capitalized on the momentum, leading the Chinese team to a dramatic turnaround victory. The team’s triumph quickly became a trending topic.
On the championship podium, despite the Chinese men’s team defending their Asian Games gold, seven of the players were Asian Games newcomers, and their smiles were genuine and unguarded. As for Li Shifeng, he remained his usual shy self, squinting and smiling at everything, seemingly forgetting that he had been the one to turn the tide.
Singles Victory and Gold Medal Triumph
Li Shifeng’s excitement didn’t last long, as the unique nature of the Asian Games meant that no matter the highs and lows of the team event, he had to quickly shift his focus to the singles event the next day. For Li Shifeng, the first singles match against a Pakistani opponent served as a transition, allowing the exhaustion and excitement from the team event to pass and marking the beginning of his moment of brilliance.
The team event success and gold medal boosted Li Shifeng’s confidence, especially winning the crucial match when trailing 0-2, breaking his curse of not winning in such situations. Many asked Li Shifeng about his goals before the event: his primary goal was to help the team win gold, and for the singles event, he aimed to advance past the first round and strive to reach the quarterfinals.
After winning 2-0 against Kenta Nishimoto, his quarterfinal goal was achieved. Then, facing two opponents he had never beaten before—Anthony Ginting and Prannoy, with four and three consecutive losses, respectively—Li Shifeng defeated Ginting 21-13, 21-17 in the quarterfinals and Prannoy 21-16, 21-9 in the semifinals. Within a few days, he broke his winless streak against these players. With Shi Yuqi defeating Kodai Naraoka, the Chinese men’s singles players met in the final, an exhilarating and remarkable achievement at the Asian Games! Ultimately, Li Shifeng replicated his All England final performance, winning 2-0 against Shi Yuqi to become the first post-2000s men’s singles champion in Asian Games badminton.
Resolute and Steady, the “Feng” Style Maturity
The 10-day Asian Games were long and intense, yet Li Shifeng did not drop a single game in his eight matches, providing an unexpectedly consistent and reassuring presence. A closer look at his matches revealed that his performances were not flawless, with mistakes here and there. However, he displayed remarkable patience, especially in tense moments and critical points, demonstrating the resolve and steadiness that enabled him to emerge victorious in the fierce men’s singles competition. This exceptional match temperament was a highlight.
What stood out most was Li Shifeng’s interview before facing Ginting. He said, “I feel that my recent form is quite good, but I have experienced and realized that when an athlete is down, it’s tough to win a championship or even a single match. So, I hope to maintain my good form for a bit longer and spend less time at the bottom.”
Since his youth career, Li Shifeng has carried the title of the “post-2000s leader” of the Chinese team, though his form has been inconsistent. Especially when compared to contemporaries like Kunlavut, who has won a World Championship, Kodai Naraoka, who has reached the top three in world rankings, and Lakshya Sen, who has also made it to the World Championship podium, Li Shifeng often seemed to fall short. Until this year, we proudly witnessed him win the All-England title, becoming a world champion. In Hangzhou, we were even more delighted to see him crowned Asian Games champion. This is Li Shifeng’s moment, the glory of his successful evolution.
Indeed, Li Shifeng has proven to have top-tier capabilities, as evidenced by his achievements and rankings. Moving forward, he needs to maintain his high level of performance consistently, aiming to stay at the top as much as possible and showcasing his convincing side in key tournaments.
