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.
The recent controversy surrounding An Se Young, the Paris Olympics women’s singles badminton champion, has highlighted long-standing issues in South Korea’s national team, including reports of prolonged bullying. The “parental-style” and “punitive” coaching methods are increasingly seen as outdated, with no tolerance for coaches who use bullying as a tactic.
An Se Young revealed that over her seven years on the national team, she had to handle various chores for senior players, including cleaning rooms and even washing their personal items. These revelations shocked the public. Unfortunately, An Se Young’s experience is not unique; incidents rooted in the deeply ingrained “seniority culture” in South Korean sports have led to numerous scandals in recent years.
This “seniority culture” establishes a hierarchy where older or higher-ranking individuals receive more respect, but it has morphed into a system of inequality that fosters bullying. In sports, this translates into imbalanced dynamics between younger and older players, players and coaches, and players and sports organizations.
In Malaysian sports, many coaches still practice an outdated “parental” approach, believing that instilling fear in athletes asserts their authority. However, a coach should not be seen as a tyrant; athletes should both respect and admire them. Finding the right balance—motivating players while avoiding excessive pressure—is a challenge many coaches face. Coaching today’s athletes requires a different approach, similar to how we educate modern children.
While there is a saying that strict teachers produce excellent students, strictness should not equate to physical or verbal abuse. Athletes are often teenagers, still developing independent personalities, and bullying only results in fear and resistance, damaging their growth.
The “parental” and “punitive” methods are now outdated, and coaches must evolve. Successful coaches like NBA’s Gregg Popovich and Phil Jackson, or soccer’s Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola, not only master tactics but also understand psychology and management. Though strict, they earn athletes’ respect and admiration rather than resistance.
Athletes who train hard for national pride deserve better care and a respectful environment that acknowledges their individual rights. An Se Young’s case illustrates athletes’ pushback against authoritarian, bureaucratic approaches. Athletes are not mere tools for pursuing sporting glory; both sports management and coaching should adopt a more scientific and humane approach, prioritizing respect over sheer authority.
An Se Young’s conflicts with the Korean Badminton Association have intensified, raising speculations that she might follow the path of players like Lee Zii Jia and Viktor Axelsen in leaving the national team and forming her own coaching team.
Recently, due to knee and ankle injuries, An Se Young missed this week’s Korea Matsuyama Super 300 Masters event and has announced her withdrawal from the Japan Masters in Kumamoto on November 12. Additionally, she declined to participate in the national team’s intensive training on November 25, with medical documentation submitted to the BWF.
However, according to Yonhap News, An Se Young plans to compete in the China Shenzhen Masters from November 21 to 26 and is actively preparing for the BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China, starting December 11, with a prize pool of $2.5 million.
After winning the Olympic gold in Paris, An Se Young mentioned being bullied by senior players and expressed discontent with the Korean Badminton Association, even threatening to leave the national team. While the issue seemed to be resolved in her favor, tensions remained high.
At last week’s 2024 Denmark Open, An Se Young’s attitude appeared indifferent. During a match timeout, she ignored her coach, Sung Ji Hyun, even drinking water with her back turned. This behavior led to criticism from Korean Badminton Association President Kim Jae Kyu, who accused An Se Young of acting out. The situation escalated as Korea’s National Assembly’s Committee on Culture, Sports, and Tourism intervened, requesting Kim Jae Kyu to step down and issue a formal apology to An Se Young.
Fourteen days of competition, 34 matches, and a result of one gold and two silver medals — these are the statistics for Lin Xiangyi, the captain of the Chinese Junior Badminton Team, at last week’s World Junior Badminton Championships in Nanchang. The 18-year-old Lin Xiangyi competed in both the men’s doubles and mixed doubles events from the team competition through to the individual events.
From September 30 to October 5, during the team competition, Lin Xiangyi played two matches in men’s doubles against Australia on October 1, while on other days he competed in both mixed doubles and men’s doubles. In the individual events held from October 7 to October 13, he played in both events every day. Competing in 34 matches over 14 days required an extraordinary level of endurance.
As captain, Lin Xiangyi always felt a strong sense of responsibility. From the team competition to the individual events, he took his role seriously. After the team competition ended with a silver medal, Lin Xiangyi was brought to tears, feeling he “could have done better.” He quickly gathered himself and focused on the individual events, where he advanced to both the mixed doubles and men’s doubles finals.
On October 13, Lin Xiangyi first partnered with Liu Yuanyuan to help China secure its fourth consecutive World Junior Championship title in mixed doubles. He then paired with Hu Keyuan in the men’s doubles final, ultimately finishing as runners-up. During the deciding game, Lin Xiangyi felt his stamina waning and requested a medical break. Missing out on the men’s doubles title left him disappointed once more, feeling again that he “could have done better.”
Since the beginning of the year, Lin Xiangyi has been competing in dual events. At the Asian Junior Championships in July, he also participated in both categories, winning titles in the team event, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Compared to the Asian Junior Championships, the World Junior Championships posed even more challenges. “The team competition has an 11-point scoring system, so playing multiple events doesn’t strain your stamina too much, but the 21-point system requires more energy, and you have to quickly focus on each match. After two games, I felt really exhausted,” explained Lin Xiangyi. He pointed out that the team events were mentally draining, while the individual events were more physically taxing. Guo Zhendong, the head coach of the Chinese Junior Badminton Team, praised Lin Xiangyi‘s role as a core player, acknowledging the toll that playing dual events took on his energy and stamina.
Representing the nation is ingrained in Lin Xiangyi. After winning the mixed doubles title, standing on the champion’s podium, and singing the national anthem facing the flag, Lin Xiangyi was moved to tears. While passing through the mixed interview zone on his way to the men’s doubles final, he only said four words: “Thank you, Motherland.” After all the events were over, Lin Xiangyi admitted, “Every day was exhausting, but with the trust of the country, the team, and everyone, I gave it my all.”
Concluding his junior career with one gold and two silvers at the World Junior Championships, Lin Xiangyi reflects on both his achievements and regrets. As he looks forward to competing in adult tournaments, he believes he can do even better.
On November 4, Danish media outlet TV2 reported that Denmark’s national badminton team head coach Jonathan submitted his resignation to the Danish Badminton Association in early September. Thomas Stavngaard will be promoted to head coach of Denmark’s national team, effective January 1, 2025, with Hans-Kristian Vittinghus taking on the role of men’s singles coach.
The 50-year-old Jonathan has served as coach of Denmark’s national team for 11 years, including 8 years as head coach, making him Denmark’s longest-serving and one of the most successful national team coaches. He led Viktor Axelsen to victory at the 2017 World Championships and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Axelsen then became an independent player and moved to Dubai. Jonathan also guided the Danish team to a historic victory in 2016 at the Thomas Cup in Kunshan, marking the first time Denmark claimed this prestigious men’s team title.
Thomas Stavngaard (right)
Fans may recall Thomas Stavngaard, known for his bald head, for his controversial actions during the 2022 Denmark Open. In that tournament, Zheng Siwei andHuang Yaqiong defeated the Danish pair Mikkelsen and Hansen in a 2-1 match, where the Chinese pair faced nine service fouls. Following the second game, Chinese mixed doubles head coach Yang Ming approached the referee to protest, only to be shoved by the Danish coach—Thomas Stavngaard himself. The Danish badminton team later issued an apology to the Chinese team.
Hans-Kristian Vittinghus
In addition, the Danish Badminton Association has appointed Hans-Kristian Vittinghus as the men’s singles coach. Born in 1986, Vittinghus’s career highlights include winning team gold at the 2016 Thomas Cup. However, fans know him best as the “Diving Prince” or “Badminton’s Disciplinary Officer,” famous for his outspoken opinions.
Notable moments involving Vittinghus:
In June 2022, he filed a complaint about a sideline judge allegedly dozing off during the Indonesian Masters.
In 2018, he reported Liu Yuchen and three other Chinese men’s doubles players for match-fixing at the Fuzhou China Open, resulting in a three-month ban by the BWF.
In 2022, he suggested replacing the current BWF tour with a new circuit.
When Lee Zii Jia left the Badminton Association of Malaysia and faced a ban, Vittinghus voiced his support, stating: “Badminton is a joke.”
In 2020, he criticized the BWF for labeling postponed matches as “good news,” calling it disrespectful to players.
He complained that Lin Dan dragged out matches too long.
He mocked Lee Chong Wei for being overly arrogant during matches.
Currently, Vittinghus coaches at the Hvidovre Badminton Club and serves as a consultant for the Polish National Training Center. However, he will only formally assume his new position on August 1, 2025.
Vittinghus is eager for his new role, sharing on his Instagram: “I trust in my abilities, and I believe I can guide the next generation of Denmark’s world-class men’s singles players while helping current players maintain their standards.”
After winning the Paris Olympic gold this year, An Se Young revealed that she had long faced bullying from senior players and expressed dissatisfaction with the Korean Badminton Association, even threatening to leave the national team. Following the public outcry, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Korea announced today the results of its investigation into the matter, calling for the resignation of Badminton Association President Kim Jeok Kyu and unveiling a series of reform measures.
In a press conference today, the Ministry detailed its findings, indicating that the Association failed to follow proper procedures when purchasing shuttlecocks, accepted sponsored goods worth 150 million KRW improperly, and allegedly claimed subsidies in violation of regulations during event hosting. Consequently, the Ministry has requested police intervention to investigate potential corruption and misconduct. The investigation also revealed workplace bullying by Kim Jeok Kyu within the Association, with 17 out of 18 employees reporting ongoing mistreatment.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism issued an ultimatum to the Badminton Association, emphasizing that this is the final chance to correct their errors. If issues persist, management will be replaced, and relevant funding suspended. However, Korean media note that the authority to remove the Association President lies with the Korean Sports & Olympic Committee, not the Ministry.
Throughout the investigation, the Ministry gathered feedback from 36 players, aligning with An Se Young’s grievances. In response, the Ministry proposed 26 reforms across five major areas.
The Ministry intends to improve recovery conditions for injured players, allowing them to choose medical facilities independently. National training center players will now be allowed to go out on weekends and holidays, and unreasonable requirements for younger players to handle cleaning and laundry will be abolished. Early morning and mountain training will also be eliminated, giving players flexibility to tailor their training schedules.
The Ministry will also lift the restrictive rule that previously required badminton players to have five years of national team experience and reach age 28 for men or 27 for women before they could compete in international events independently.
In response to An Se Young‘s comments that the Association has prioritized doubles players, the Ministry plans to increase the coaching staff for the national badminton team from 13 to 20, assigning coaches based on the unique needs of singles and doubles players. Moving forward, the Ministry will also allow players to wear apparel and shoes with their personal sponsors’ logos, rather than limiting them to the Association’s sponsored brand.
Last night, in the Super 300 German Hylo Badminton Open quarterfinals, Taiwan’s Chou Tien Chen encountered a controversial call at a critical moment, eventually losing 13-21, 20-22 to Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke and missing out on the semifinals. The umpire ruled that the shuttle had touched the ground, deeming Chou Tien Chen’s return a fault.
During the second game, when Chou Tien Chen was leading 18-16, an intense rally unfolded. At a low defensive position, Chou received a smash, only to have the umpire suddenly rule the shuttle as having landed, awarding a point to Gemke. Chou Tien Chen immediately raised his hand in protest, and the service judge even indicated that Chou hadn’t committed a fault. However, despite intervention from the referee, the umpire stood by the call and denied a replay.
After the match, Chou Tien Chen voiced his frustration. He noted that the service judge had informed the umpire that he hadn’t committed an error, yet the umpire remained insistent. “I don’t understand why they treat players like this. Is the umpire’s pride more important than making the correct call? A fair ruling not only upholds authority but also encourages players to compete honestly, which is the true spirit of the Olympics.”
Chou Tien Chen also urged the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to invest more in referee training and equipment upgrades, like introducing Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology to reduce misjudgments. He emphasized that players shouldn’t always bear the burden of unfair decisions. “If referees make mistakes, they should be held accountable.”
Notably, Gemke also raised his hand in protest during the disputed call. Chou Tien Chen remarked, “Even my opponent said to me after the game, ‘Why does this always happen to you? The entire world could see it was a wrong call, but somehow, the umpire couldn’t.’”
This isn’t the first time Chou Tien Chen has experienced a questionable call. Two years ago, in the same venue, he faced a similar misjudgment.
Two years ago, at 22-all in the deciding game, Chou Tien Chen faced the same unfair call.
“At that time, the referee said only he and a journalist could review the replay with me. The footage clearly showed I didn’t commit a fault. The referee said he would report it to the BWF, and the journalist promised to send me the footage. But when I asked about it the next day, the journalist said he’d been threatened by the BWF to withhold it and avoid making it public—or else the city might lose the right to host future tournaments.”
In closing, Chou Tien Chen expressed hope that the BWF would focus more on addressing issues rather than sweeping them under the rug.
According to the official website of the Badminton World Federation (BWF), Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong have withdrawn from the China Badminton Masters.
The 2024 China Badminton Masters will kick off in Shenzhen on November 17. This event marks the final Super 750 tournament of the BWF World Tour for the season. As per the official website, China’s mixed doubles pair Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong have withdrawn from this tournament.
The 2024 Korea Masters, with a total prize pool of USD 210,000, begins tomorrow. Malaysia’s two-time Olympic bronze medalists Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik enter the tournament as top seeds, with the goal of ending their title drought this year.
Their last victory was at the Denmark Open in October last year. Now, they are competing in the Super 300 tournament with the aim of claiming the title. In the first round, they will face Lee Jhe-Huei and Ye Hong-Wei from Chinese Taipei.
The primary objective for Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik is to secure a spot in the year-end finals.
From October 31 to November 3, Indonesia will host the All-Star Badminton Invitational, gathering elite players from countries such as Korea, Thailand, Denmark, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, and more.
Participants:
Korea: Seo Seung Jae, Lee Yong Dae
Thailand: Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Ratchanok Intanon
Denmark: Viktor Axelsen, Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, Mathias Christiansen
Hong Kong: Lee Cheuk Yiu, Tang Chun Man, Tse Ying Suet
Indonesia: Hendra Setiawan, Greysia Polii, Fajar Alfian, Gideon Markus Fernaldi
Malaysia: Aaron Chia, Soh Wooi Yik, Goh Sze Fei, Nur Izzuddin, Chan Peng Soon, Toh Ee Wei
Japan: Kodai Naraoka, Aya Ohori, Yuta Watanabe, Nozomi Okuhara, Misaki Matsutomo
On the evening of October 29, at the National Team Championships, the long-absent Shi Yuqi returned to compete as the Jiangsu men’s team’s top singles player, securing a 2-0 victory. Following his win, he greeted the audience in his usual fashion, tossing a shuttlecock to the crowd. After the China Open, Shi Yuqitook a month-long break, allowing himself both mental and physical relaxation. However, he joked that a month without training caused some setbacks, and by his seventh day back in training, he already had blisters on his fingers. As a long-time leader for the Jiangsu team, he felt relaxed and familiar being back in training and competition with the team.
Yesterday at the 2024 National Badminton Championships, current men’s doubles stars and world top-ten pair, Liang Weikeng and Ren Xiangyu, were unexpectedly defeated 1-2 (13-21, 21-18, 12-21) by the junior national team players Zhu Yijun and Hu Keyuan.
Zhu Yijun and Hu Keyuan shared that facing such seasoned and skilled opponents, they didn’t focus too much on the outcome beforehand. “We just wanted to focus on our own performance,” they said, “even when trailing in the second game, we decided to take it one point at a time.” Reflecting on their 2-1 victory, Zhu Yijun mentioned, “Perhaps we got a bit lucky to win, but it wouldn’t have been surprising if we lost. We simply wanted to learn from them.” Hu Keyuan added that the loss in the World Junior Championship finals taught him a lot, reinforcing the importance of maintaining self-belief.
