After the Paris Olympics, Chen Yufei, China’s top women’s singles player, took a break from the court to study and travel in Australia. Now, she has decided her next step and confirmed her return to the sport.
Today, Chen Yufei shared a post bidding farewell to her study experience, saying, “My ten-week study journey has come to an end. I want to thank everyone I’ve met during this time. Thank you for letting me know that even off the court, Chen Yufei is still recognized and appreciated by so many.”
Reflecting on her experience, she shared, “After the Olympics, I didn’t want to return to the court, as I felt that those without ambition shouldn’t stand there. Over two Olympic cycles, I performed my duties and responsibilities with pride. But I forgot to ask myself—standing as Chen Yufei—what am I fighting for?”
Chen Yufei revealed she is ready to restart her journey back on the court: “Through learning, I began to reflect on these questions. Taking a break showed me how to start again. So, I’ll see you on the court soon.”
Notably, the China Badminton Super League is set to start on November 28, where Chen Yufei is expected to appear. Recently, her club, Zhejiang Jingtai Badminton Club, left a spot for her on the team poster, which promoted the upcoming Super League, confirming her return.
However, as registration for all World Badminton Federation tournaments this season has closed, her next international appearance will likely be at the Malaysia Open in early 2025.
Today, badminton star Aya Ohori announced her retirement at the end of this year via her personal Instagram. The upcoming Kumamoto Masters, starting on November 12, will be her last international tournament in Japan.
Aya Ohori’s Statement:
“Hello everyone, I have an important announcement. I have decided to retire at the end of this year.
My badminton career hasn’t always been smooth, but thanks to the support of so many wonderful friends, I have overcome numerous challenges.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Tonami Transportation Badminton Club for their help over the years. My sincere gratitude goes to the Nippon Badminton Association, all my sponsors, my family, friends, and all supporters. Without you, I wouldn’t have achieved what I have today.
Badminton has taught me a lot, and I’ve experienced many wonderful things through it. I truly love playing badminton, so deciding to retire was not easy. However, I can say that, with everyone’s support, my 22-year career has been filled with joy.
Next week’s Kumamoto Masters will be my last international match in Japan. I’d be thrilled if you continue to cheer for me. Thank you so much for your warm support over the years.”
Previous Reports:
For the past two years, rumors have circulated about Aya Ohori and Malaysian men’s doubles player Ong Yew Sin being in a relationship.
Both players recently participated in the 2024 Indonesia Badminton All-Star Invitational. Fans spotted two intriguing moments: first, as Ong Yew Sin interacted with a medal-winning player, a female player beside him pointed at Aya Ohori and whispered something to Ong Yew Sin, leading Aya Ohori to playfully touch Ong Yew Sin’s head. In another instance, Cheuk Yiu Lee, sitting beside Aya Ohori in the cheer section, smiled while pointing at Ong Yew Sin in the aisle and then at Aya Ohori, hinting at a relationship.
There have been previous reports from insiders in the badminton community suggesting that Aya Ohori and Ong Yew Sin have been quietly dating for years. This event at the Indonesia All-Star added fuel to fan speculation.
Standing at 169 cm, Aya Ohori first traveled to Malaysia in 2015 to participate in the Purple League. In an interview, she mentioned how warm and friendly Malaysians were, even telling her parents that she hoped to settle in Malaysia after retirement and marry a Malaysian.
It seems possible that Aya Ohori and Ong Yew Sin have known each other for a long time.
Later, Ong Yew Sin shared a photo on his Instagram featuring himself with Aya Ohori and Arisa Higashino. Fans noted that Ong Yew Sin and Aya Ohori‘s hands were unusually close.
Today, a Malaysian social media account further fueled rumors by posting a photo of Ong Yew Sin and Aya Ohori allegedly wearing matching outfits while shopping, captioned: “An open secret, best wishes to you both.”
In 2020, Ong Yew Sin and his partner Teo Ee Yi were dismissed from the Malaysian national team by the Badminton Association of Malaysia. However, their performance continued to improve, with a bronze at the 2021 World Championships. Despite this, they have not won a title since their victory at the 2020 Thailand Masters, with their best results this year being semifinal finishes at the German and China Opens.
Aya Ohori, a late bloomer, became Japan’s second women’s singles player after Nozomi Okuhara struggled with injuries. Last year, she won a bronze medal in women’s singles at the Asian Games, and this year, she claimed gold at the Thailand Masters and Australia Open, as well as reaching the semi-finals at the Super 1000 China Open.
South Korean badminton mixed doubles star Kim Won Ho shared in an interview that he will soon enlist, which means he must withdraw from the upcoming Japan and China Masters tournaments, as well as the BWF World Tour Finals.
Kim Won Ho stated, “I will begin a three-week short-term military training next week, so I had to withdraw from the Japan and China Masters tournaments. This week’s men’s doubles match will likely be my last match this year. Although I could still compete in the year-end finals after training, my shoulder and other injuries make it difficult, so I’ll likely skip the December finals. Regarding next year’s season, it’s still uncertain whether I’ll compete in multiple events or focus on a single one. I’ll decide later on.”
The South Korean pair Kim Won Ho / Jeong Na Eun surprised fans by reaching the finals in mixed doubles at this year’s Paris Olympics, ultimately winning the silver medal. Kim Won Ho has also competed in men’s doubles internationally.
In South Korea, military service is mandatory, requiring male citizens aged 18 to 35 to serve. The service period varies by military branch, though it generally lasts 18 to 23 months.
Under South Korea’s Military Service Act, individuals with exceptional talent in arts and sports who achieve top rankings in international competitions may qualify for “military service exemptions,” serving in a special capacity instead. This includes those who win top two positions in international arts competitions, first place in national arts competitions (restricted to fields unique to Korea), or who are recognized as national intangible cultural heritage educators with five years of experience. Athletes who achieve top three positions in the Olympics or first place in the Asian Games may also qualify.
Although Kim Won Ho earned Olympic bronze in mixed doubles, exempting him from full military service, he still has to complete a short-term military training period.
Judith Mair is an Italian badminton player who excels in women’s doubles. She was crowned the champion in the women’s doubles category at the 2022 Egyptian International Badminton Championships.
Beiwen Zhang, an American female badminton player, was born on July 12, 1990. Originally from Liaoning, China, Zhang moved to Singapore in 2003 and became a permanent resident in January 2006, later naturalizing in May 2007. In April 2008, after a disagreement with the head coach of the women’s singles, Wang Junjie, Zhang left the Singapore national badminton team to play abroad, returning to the national team in late October of the same year. During a trip to the United States in 2012, she participated in the US Open and decided to continue her career in the US.
In January 2018, Zhang competed in the India Open, where she faced the top seed and host nation’s hope, P.V. Sindhu, in the final. After a grueling three-game battle, she emerged victorious with a 2-1 score (21-18, 11-21, 22-20), securing her first-ever Women’s Singles Super Series title. On July 29, 2021, during the Tokyo Olympics badminton competition, Zhang was forced to retire due to an Achilles tendon rupture in the Women’s Singles Round of 16 against He Bingjiao.
Achievements include:
– Semifinalist at the 2024 Canadian Badminton Open
– Runner-up at the 2024 US Badminton Open
– Champion at the 2024 Pan American Badminton Championships
– Semifinalist at the 2023 Kumamoto Masters in Japan
– Champion at the 2023 Huelva Open
– Champion at the 2023 Australian Badminton Open
– Semifinalist at the 2023 Canadian Badminton Open
– Runner-up at the 2023 Taipei Open
– Runner-up at the 2023 Orleans Masters
– Semifinalist at the 2023 Swiss Open
– Runner-up at the 25th Pan American Badminton Championships in 2022
– Runner-up at the 24th Pan American Badminton Championships in 2021
– Semifinalist at the 2019 Hong Kong Open
– Semifinalist at the 2019 Swiss Open
– Runner-up at the 2018 Korea Open
– Semifinalist at the 2018 Thailand Open
– Runner-up at the 2018 US Open
– Champion at the 2018 India Open
– Runner-up at the 2017 Bitburger Open
– Champion at the 2017 Dutch Open
– Semifinalist at the 2017 Indonesia Premier Super Series
– Semifinalist at the 2017 Thailand Grand Prix Gold
– Semifinalist at the 2017 Singapore Super Series
– Semifinalist at the 2017 German Open
– Champion at the 2016 US International Challenge (Women’s Doubles)
– Champion at the 2016 US International Challenge (Women’s Singles)
– Runner-up at the 2016 French Open
– Champion at the 2016 Dutch Open
– Semifinalist at the 2016 US Grand Prix Gold (Women’s Doubles)
– Runner-up at the 2016 Canadian Feather Grand Prix (Women’s Singles)
– Champion at the 2015 US International
– Champion at the 2014 US Grand Prix
– Champion at the 2014 Dutch Open
– Champion at the 2014 Brazil Open
– Champion at the 2014 US Grand Prix Gold
– Semifinalist at the 2014 Canadian Open
– Champion at the 2014 Peru International
– Semifinalist at the 2013 Italian International
– Champion at the 2013 Ireland Open
– Champion at the 2013 Welsh International
– Champion at the 2013 US International (Women’s Doubles)
– Champion at the 2013 US International (Women’s Singles)
– Champion at the 2013 Swiss International
– Semifinalist at the 2012 US Grand Prix Gold
– Semifinalist at the 2010 Indonesia Grand Prix
Equipment: ASTROX 99 PRO White Tiger Stripe/Sunrise Red, ASTROX 99 Sapphire Blue, ASTROX 99 BG-80 NANOFLARE 1000Z AC-102C, ARCSABER 11, ASTROX 88S PRO Silver/Black, ASTROX 77 EXBOLT65.
Restaurants, hotels, tourist attractions, public transportation, parking lots, pharmacies, and ATMs can be found in Kampung Bukit Sama Tahu, 75450 Malacca, Melaka, Malaysia.
Is it closed? Business hours start on Monday at 08:30. The establishment is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. It operates from 08:30 to 17:30 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Suggestions for modifying business hours are welcome.
Contact us at +60 6-231 8242. Location: 67HX+CG Malacca, Melaka, Malaysia. For business ownership rights, please refer to the declaration.
Restaurants, hotels, tourist attractions, public transportation, parking lots, pharmacies, and ATMs are all available in the area. Address: Lot 777, Kampung Ayer Hitam Lendu, 78000 Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia. Status: Closed. Operational Hours: Monday 08:00, Saturday and Sunday closed, Monday to Friday 08:00–17:00. Suggesting modifications to operating hours is welcomed. Contact: +60 6-385 3282. Location: 945X+RW, Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia. Image Link: https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/p/AF1QipM2px2N0AimOt3e46Q0dxx0UV85ezLLGaQKWomK=w408-h306-k-no
Restaurants, Hotels, Tourist Attractions, Public Transportation, Parking Lots, Pharmacies, ATMs. 71, Jalan Bachang Baru Utama 1/6, Taman Bachang Baru, 75350 Melaka, Malaysia. Closed. Business hours: Monday 08:30, Saturday Closed, Sunday Closed, Monday 08:30–18:00, Tuesday 08:30–18:00, Wednesday 08:30–18:00, Thursday 08:30–18:00, Friday 08:30–18:00. Suggestions for business hour modifications are welcome. m.facebook.com +60 19-390 1943 66RW+QG Melaka, Malaysia Melaka Statement: Business ownership rights. Google User Content
