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After winning the Paris Olympics this year, An Se-young shared her dissatisfaction with the Korean Badminton Association and mentioned bullying from senior players. Her relationship with the national team was tense, even though she ultimately triumphed. However, this issue seems far from over.
At the 2024 Denmark Open last week, An Se-young displayed a nonchalant attitude about the match results. During a break, she noticeably ignored her coach, Sung Ji-hyun, turning her back to him even when drinking water, completely disregarding his presence.
This greatly irritated Kim Choong-yui, the Korean Badminton Association President. On October 22, during a National Assembly inspection, Kim Choong-yui openly criticized An Se-young for her arrogance and disrespect toward the coaching team.
Kim described An Se-young as a “misbehaved, self-centered sports star” and mentioned her reluctance to greet anyone, including himself, even at the Denmark Open.
However, this sparked backlash from National Assembly members. Representative Yang called Jincheon National Training Center director Jang Jae-geun to testify. Yang questioned Jang about An Se-young’s alleged disrespect, to which Jang replied, “When did such incidents happen?”
Representative Yang further challenged Kim: “Despite An Se-young’s global ranking, she lacks Korean national team support. You should help her succeed, but instead, you criticize her character. Does that satisfy you?”
Another representative, Min, remarked, “An Se-young is extremely cautious, fearing any request might appear selfish. How can you, as President, make such statements? Apologize to her.”
Under continued criticism, President Kim expressed he would consider resigning and apologize to An Se-young: “I will apologize to An Se-young.”
Today, Olympic champion and Spanish badminton star Carolina Marin released a video updating fans on her current condition.
The short video shows that Marin is recovering well and is actively preparing for her return.
Previous Update:
On August 4, 2024, the women’s singles semifinals at the Olympics concluded with Marin withdrawing due to injury, allowing He Bingjiao of China to advance to the final. An Se-youngdefeated Mariska 2-1 and will face He Bingjiao for the championship.
Once an Olympic champion and three-time World Champion, Marin displayed an impressive performance today, dominating the first game to win 21-14. In the second game, however, at 5-10, she fell after a jump smash and requested a medical timeout. Returning briefly, she fought on for two more minutes before collapsing at the court’s edge, visibly in pain and pounding the floor in frustration. Coaches and fans cheered her on, but she ultimately decided to withdraw.
Marin had previously undergone knee surgery right before the Tokyo Olympics, missing the event entirely. Later, she required surgery on her other knee, making her semifinals finish at the Paris 2024 Olympics even more impressive.
Many fans remarked on the similarity to the 2016 Rio Olympics, where Li Xuerui also injured her knee in a match against Marin and had to retire. Unlike the tension at that event, today He Bingjiao warmly embraced Marin after the match.
On October 14th, South Korean media reported that Olympic champion An Se Young has won her battle against the Korea Badminton Association (KBA), earning the “right to choose her shoes” in international competitions. She is now allowed to wear shoes of her choice instead of those from the team sponsor, Yonex. However, this autonomy is only a temporary privilege granted by the KBA.
Currently, the South Korean national badminton team is sponsored by Yonex, and according to regulations, An Se Young, as a member of the national team, is expected to wear Yonex gear during international events.
However, during the recent 2024 Korean National Sports Festival, An Se Young was spotted wearing ASICS badminton shoes, while her jersey and socks were from a domestic Korean brand.
This does not mean that An Se Young can follow the path of former star Lin Dan, who once partially detached from the national team to seek his own sponsors.
The KBA explained that the temporary permission allowing An Se Young to wear non-sponsored shoes in training and competitions was granted due to the public outcry after her Olympic victory, where she criticized the KBA, as well as her personal complaints about the discomfort of the Yonex shoes.
The KBA also stated, “We are making every effort to develop custom badminton shoes that meet An Se Young’s satisfaction, and we are in close discussions with our sponsor Yonex regarding the selection of gear for all national team players.”
As a result, An Se Young will be wearing shoes from another brand during the upcoming 2024 Denmark Open, but this arrangement is temporary.
For the past few years, Korean badminton superstar An Se Young seemed destined to win the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. When she fulfilled her dream at La Chapelle Stadium, no one was surprised. However, what followed after her victory sent shockwaves through the badminton world.
While most media interactions were celebratory, the 22-year-old took the opportunity to shine a light on serious issues regarding how Korean badminton is managed. She pointed out problems including long-term mismanagement of her knee injury, unilateral decision-making by the federation, and the fact that young players were asked to restring rackets and do laundry for older players.
What did An say after winning the gold?
“Overcoming the pain was very difficult,” An Se Young told the Badminton World Federation immediately after her victory. “It was a misdiagnosis, and we found out at the end of last year that the injury was very serious. But we didn’t have time for surgery, so we had to push through it. My coach helped me, and that’s how I made it here.”
An made a shocking statement, hinting at possible retirement, but that stance seems to have softened. On her now-private Instagram account, she clarified that she didn’t want people to misunderstand her retirement remarks. “I’m not trying to fight anyone. This is about protecting the players.”
In a follow-up post, she also apologized for distracting from other Olympic athletes’ achievements. “My comments washed away their moments of celebration and respect like a tsunami. I want to extend my sincerest apologies to those athletes,” she said.
Her biggest complaint was the national team’s negligence regarding her serious injury in 2023. She thanked her personal coach for ensuring that her dream of competing in Paris wasn’t derailed. An Se Young had pulled out of the India Open earlier this year, citing injury, despite initially entering the tournament.
She told Yonhap News Agency that she made these statements against the federation because she now had a platform where her voice could be heard. “My anger has always driven me to achieve my dreams,” An said. “I want my voice to be heard. In a way, that’s part of my dream.”
Reportedly, she raised complaints with the federation about her treatment. According to SBS Radio, An’s parents met with federation officials in February, asking for better living conditions for athletes at the national training camp. The Daily Economic News reported that An was upset about being required to perform chores after training, such as restringing broken racket strings for seniors, cleaning rooms, and doing laundry.
Although An Se Young did not mention these aspects in her recent comments, she stated, “What I ultimately want to express is the need for more flexibility in changing practices that are unreasonable but ingrained in tradition.”
What happened afterward?
Following the 2024 Paris Olympics, these comments dominated Korean headlines, prompting the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to launch an investigation into the operations of the Korean Badminton Association (BKA).
The issue was considered so serious that President Yoon Suk Yeol addressed the topic at a gathering of Korean Olympians (reportedly attended by An). According to the Korea Herald, “President Yoon Suk Yeol told the attendees that he would work to eliminate outdated practices and ensure that athletes from any sport have a fair chance to compete without restrictions, encouraging young athletes to train in more advanced environments.”
Midway through the investigation, it was revealed that the head of the Korea Taekwondo Association, Kim Jae Kyu, was suspected of misusing funds, though this accusation has since been dismissed. Reports indicated that he had engaged in improper financial dealings with an equipment sponsor.
Fast forward two years, and the “Liang-Wang” duo is no longer the same. They have now risen to become the world’s number-one men’s doubles pair, with eight championship titles to their name. Their recent performance at the Paris Olympics truly thrust them into the spotlight, making them a focal point in badminton. They garnered unprecedented attention, so much so that even casual remarks landed them in the trending topics. Interview requests poured in, fashion magazines featured them repeatedly, and despite the supposed off-season, the pair’s lives extended far beyond the court, bringing them experiences that were previously unimaginable.
Now, as they grace the cover once again, still youthful and stylish, they are preparing to embark on a new journey. Returning to their beloved badminton court, they are determined to continue their fight in the new cycle. After all they’ve been through, they’ve never been clearer about their goals: badminton remains their foundation, and striving for great results is their unwavering pursuit!
Paris Finale: The World Takes Notice
The Paris Olympics captivated millions, with the Chinese delegation claiming 40 gold, 27 silver, and 24 bronze medals—a record for an overseas Olympic Games. Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang, as the top seeds, breezed through the group stage and defeated Indonesia’s Alfian/Ardianto and Malaysia’s Chia/Soh in the knockout rounds to reach the finals. Facing the Chinese Taipei pair in the finals, Liang/Wang fought fiercely through tough moments, battling until the last minute of the 76-minute clash. They narrowly lost the decider by two points.
As they stood on the podium at the La Chapelle Sports Hall, the weight of their silver medals brought a mix of emotions—both the pride of earning a silver in their first Olympics and the bitterness of falling short. In the press conference, they managed to smile but spoke from the heart: “This silver medal is our motivation to push forward.”
If the preparation and participation periods of the Olympics were quiet and isolated, the moment they stepped down from the podium, their world turned upside down. Suddenly, the quiet gave way to noise—messages from family and friends, waves of event invitations, and hundreds of unread notifications. Their social media feeds exploded with likes and comments, and more voices and information flooded their lives.
Reading through their phones in Paris, they initially thought this was just the usual post-Olympic buzz. Liang Weikeng recalled, “At first, we thought it was just the Olympic spotlight, with more people paying attention. But we didn’t expect things to heat up this much.”
Back to China: Shocked Upon Arrival
What truly stunned them, though, was the real-world manifestation of this online attention when they returned to China.
On the afternoon of August 7, the Chinese badminton team, having claimed two golds and three silvers, arrived back in Beijing from Paris. As soon as they exited the gate, the sheer number of fans at the airport shocked them. The arrival hall was packed with badminton supporters, so much so that there was barely any space to move a suitcase freely.
Recalling the scene, Wang Chang is still amazed: “When I was pushing my luggage out, I could barely move forward as the crowd started closing in. Soon, my hand slipped from my luggage handle, and thankfully, security helped me get it to the bus.” What followed was the now-viral scene of Wang Chang sprinting to the team bus, trying to evade the chasing crowd. “That moment made me realize that life was about to change in ways I hadn’t expected.”
“Holiday” Life: A Full Experience
For over a month after the Olympics, Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang attended the Chinese Sports Delegation’s debriefing, returned to their respective provinces, and participated in many local activities and meetings. Despite being back home, their schedules were packed, and they barely had two or three days to reunite with family. Their “holiday” was a whirlwind of experiences, far removed from their usual training and competition routines.
Unlike the closed training or traveling for tournaments, this period allowed Liang and Wang to plan their own time. It was a break, but also filled with events, interviews, photoshoots, and even variety shows. Everything was new and exciting for them, yet also busy. “Our horizons broadened, and we met so many outstanding people from different fields,” they said.
From rookies to regulars, their perception of appearing in magazines has changed completely. Wang Chang reminisced, “Before 2023, I had only been on the cover of Badminton magazine. In 2023, we were featured in a fashion magazine once, which left a deep impression. But now, in just one month, we’ve appeared in four or five magazines.”
Constant Hot Topics: The Attention and Its Challenges
With their Olympic fame and skyrocketing popularity, online discussions about Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang multiplied exponentially in the month following the Games. “Every move we make gets amplified. Sometimes even casual remarks, like my famous ‘Are you really that good?’ catchphrase, will trend. I’ve been saying that for years as a joke with close friends, but now it’s blown out of proportion,” shared Liang Weikeng. The increased attention brought them new experiences but also certain challenges.
As their lives changed, they began to understand themselves more clearly. Previously, they were simply athletes, training in closed environments, focusing on performing their best on the court. The court was their stage, while their private lives were relatively hidden.
“Now, it feels a little different,” said Wang Chang. “We’ve become public figures. Even when we’re not on the court, everything we say or do is noticed and sometimes even magnified.”
Wang continued, “When fans ask for photos or autographs at events or matches, we usually agree as long as it doesn’t disrupt the moment. But there are times when it gets overwhelming. Some private moments, like family visits, have been impacted. For example, once, while we were dining in a private room, someone slipped their phone through the curtain to take pictures, which was really unsettling.”
Return to Changzhou: Post-Olympics Debut Draws Attention
In August, the “Liang-Wang” duo skipped the Korea and Japan tournaments. They had already decided, after consulting with their coach, that their first competition after the Olympics would be the China Open in Changzhou. During their busy break, they gradually started physical recovery. Despite frequent events, Liang Weikeng would visit the gym almost daily or every other day, doing light workouts, cycling, or jogging. Though the intensity wasn’t high, years of training had instilled the habit, and maintaining physical fitness is crucial for injury prevention.
“When we chose to take a break, we allowed our bodies to fully rest. There was no pressure to train hard. But considering the upcoming competition, I still did some recovery work, especially to maintain strength, which is key to injury prevention,” Liang explained.
Before arriving in Changzhou, Liang and Wang had been training only half-days, with various activities and travel taking up the rest of their time. In total, they had less than ten full days of practice. Their coach, Chen Qiqiu, mentioned that both he and the players had low expectations for the China Open. Liang Weikeng candidly admitted, “We’re not geniuses. It’s unrealistic to perform well without proper training.” Chen added, “While some top pairs are absent, the competition is still fierce. Given their limited training, our main goals are to stay healthy and see if their understanding of the game has improved post-Olympics.”
On September 17, the China Open kicked off, and the “Liang-Wang” pair faced challenges from the start. In their first-round match against France’s Popov brothers, they staged a comeback from 18-20 to win the first game 22-20 and secured the second game 21-16. However, in the second round, Indonesia’s newly-formed pair, Fikri/Martin, posed a stronger challenge, and Liang/Wang ultimately lost in the decider 17-21, exiting in the second round.
Despite being the world’s top-ranked pair, defending champions, and Olympic silver medalists, their early exit sparked heated discussions.
Liang Weikeng reflected on the result: “We fought hard, but we didn’t have the usual training base and touch. Taking a break had its impact. But on the bright side, we avoided injuries and showed that we can still compete strongly even without full preparation.”
Wang Chang added, “After this month of rest, there were trade-offs. We weren’t at our best physically, and pushing too hard might have led to injuries. I believe staying healthy is important, for ourselves, the team, and our fans.”
Review of the Final: Unrepeatable Tension
Although they didn’t perform well in Changzhou, Chen Qiqiu still saw progress in his two disciples: “I noticed their playing strategies becoming clearer. Despite some mistakes, and although it’s incomparable to systematic training, they now understand how to approach each shot. The direction and coordination are on the right track, and what’s left is refining the completeness. Especially after watching several young pairs in the past two tournaments, the clarity brought by the main pairs’ experience will become more apparent.”
Speaking of progress in strategy, we must mention the men’s doubles final on August 4th. After fighting their way to the final, Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang admitted to feeling nervous and empty-minded when facing the defending champions. Even though they and the coach had prepared thoroughly, watched countless videos, held numerous meetings, and gone through plenty of ups and downs in the past two years, they still couldn’t shake the tension when stepping onto the Olympic final court.
“In the final, there was this blank feeling in my mind — both excitement and nerves. It felt like my first World Junior Championship final, where it was hard to think clearly, and the match seemed to end in a flash. That pressure, that atmosphere, might never be the same again in my lifetime,” Wang Chang vividly recalls that emotional weight and pressure.
Of course, the silver medal was hard-earned. Recalling that moment, Chen Qiqiu said, “I definitely hoped they’d win the title, but this result is something we need to accept. We must recognize the fruits of our preparation and their outstanding performance throughout the tournament. Training and competition are directly linked. I also appreciate the relaxed and joyful energy they brought to the audience, while showcasing their mental fortitude. They have indeed contributed to raising interest in badminton, and we are proud of their effort in winning the silver medal.”
The New Cycle: Staying True to Their Original Intention
After a period of relaxation, especially after the Changzhou tournament, Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang will gradually return to their regular routines. “This past month has been special and is not comparable to future training, competition, and daily life,” is something all three—coach and players—agree on. However, both Chen Qiqiu and the pair admit that the current online environment, public opinion, and their personal lives are vastly different from before the Paris Olympics. The changes are real and rapid, requiring even coaches to take time to understand, experience, and adapt.
The Olympics brought unprecedented attention to them and to badminton, heating up the sport. This is a typical characteristic of the internet era, and positively, it helps promote the spirit of sports. Over this past month, Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang have experienced a more diverse life, feeling the richness that badminton has brought them. But this hasn’t made them complacent; rather, it has made them more clear-headed and determined to focus on badminton.
Wang Chang said, “We’re happy to be loved by so many netizens. Attention to the sport is a good thing, and we hope to give everyone more positive guidance, to be mindful of our words and actions, and to bring more attention to badminton. Actually, there’s no need to change too much deliberately. I think the best promotion is doing well ourselves and playing well.”
Liang Weikeng added, “After going through this two-year cycle, we’re starting over again. We may carry the titles of young world No.1s, Olympic silver medalists, or even social media stars. These labels might cause some changes in our mindset, but what we hope to maintain is the mentality of attacking every opponent on the court.”
Chen Qiqiu often talks with Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang: “Everything happening now can be another source of motivation. The Olympic silver medal is in the past. If you want to step up to the next level, what will that look like? And how will you break it down into stages over these next four years to achieve that goal?”
Even though everything has changed, it hasn’t altered their determination to climb higher and pursue the championship. Wang Chang said when leaving Paris, “I’m heading to Los Angeles next.” So, with that original intention in mind, keep working hard and fighting for a future where the road ahead is always “bright!”
On October 13, 2024, in the World Junior Badminton Championships final, China’s mixed doubles pair Lin Xiangyiand Liu Yuanyuan claimed victory over Chinese Taipei’s Lai Bo-You and Sun Liang-Qing with scores of 21-18, 21-14 to win the mixed doubles title.
It’s worth mentioning that China has won 8 mixed doubles titles in the last 10 World Junior Championships. The champions were:
2013: Huang Kaixiang/Chen Qingchen
2014: Huang Kaixiang/Chen Qingchen
2015: Zheng Siwei/Chen Qingchen
2016: He Jiting/Du Yue
2019: Feng Yanzhe/Lin Fangling
2022: Zhu Yijun/Liu Shengshu
2023: Liao Pinyi/Zhang Jiaheng
2024: Lin Xiangyi/Liu Yuanyuan
Q: You and your partner Lin Xiangyi played quite freely in the final. How do you feel about it?
Liu Yuanyuan: I’m very excited and happy. This was our last World Junior Championship, as we are about to enter the adult competitions. Winning this title is a perfect way to wrap up our youth career.
Q: Do you feel that playing mixed doubles helped Lin save energy for the men’s doubles final?
Liu Yuanyuan: I tried my best to help him conserve energy, but boys do tend to exert more in mixed doubles. I hope he will keep up the momentum and achieve great results in the men’s doubles match later.
After concluding her journey at the Paris Olympics, Chen Yufei, one of China’s top badminton players, has taken a break from sports and is currently studying in Australia. She even changed her personal Weibo account name to “Chen Yufei on Vacation” and has been actively updating her social media, frequently sharing her overseas life with fans through livestreams.
Recently, Chen Yufei mentioned in a livestream that she was tested for doping by the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
“A lot of interesting things have happened in Australia recently. We often have to undergo doping tests, and previously, I had to report my whereabouts for the tests. I thought since I’m all the way over here, even though I reported my location, they wouldn’t come all the way to test me, right? But one day, while I was in class, I suddenly got a phone call. It startled me! They said they were already downstairs at my place, waiting to test me. I immediately grabbed my bag, told my teacher, ‘I’m heading home,’ and when I got there, they were waiting downstairs to conduct the doping test.”
“If I hadn’t shown up, they would have counted it as a missed test. While one missed test isn’t a big deal, three missed tests would count as a violation. It’s best not to miss any tests. The BWF commissioned them. I reported my whereabouts, and they then authorized the local agency to test me. They showed me their IDs and the authorization letter before following the process to check my urine and blood samples. They were really surprised and asked, ‘China Olympic champion, why here?’ I said, ‘I’m here to study English.’”
In recent days, two of badminton’s legendary “Four Kings,” Taufik Hidayat and Lee Chong Wei, were falsely rumored to have passed away, drawing significant attention from fans.
On October 6th, a social media post falsely claimed that Taufik Hidayathad died. However, just hours earlier, Taufik’s official account had posted photos of him vacationing with his family, quickly debunking the rumor.
Today, a screenshot circulated across numerous badminton-related WeChat groups, where a blogger falsely claimed that 40-year-old Lee Chong Wei had passed away. However, this rumor first appeared last year in connection with the death of former Malaysian badminton player Yap Kim Hock on August 4, 2023, at the age of 40. News reports from that time mentioned Lee Chong Wei being visibly emotional at his friend’s funeral, which somehow got twisted into false rumors about his own death. Additionally,Lee Chong Wei was born in 1982, making him 42, not 40, further disproving the hoax.
Taufik Hidayat is the first male singles player to have won an Olympic gold medal, an Asian Games gold, a World Championship title, and a Thomas Cup victory, making him a “Grand Slam” champion in the world of badminton. He retired in 2013 and now runs his own badminton academy while also serving as a consultant for Indonesia’s national team.
Lee Chong Wei, who long held the world No. 1 ranking, won three Olympic silver medals, four World Championship silver medals, 46 Super Series titles, and 69 Open tournament titles. He is often regarded as the “King without a crown” and tearfully retired in 2019 due to his battle with nasal cancer.
After competing in the Paris Olympics, China’s top female badminton player Chen Yufei decided to take a break from the court. Currently studying and traveling abroad, she issued a strong statement on social media yesterday, urging fans not to engage in spying behavior.
Chen Yufei wrote in her IG story: “I am grateful to be recognized wherever I go and would love to greet and chat with friends. However, I do not like being spied on; it makes me feel like I have no privacy anywhere.”
Chen Yufei firmly stated: “I am just an ordinary person who plays badminton and am not back on the court. Please respect my private life. Additionally, I have no plans to play badminton, and I am unaware of any news regarding where I might appear.”
Previously, Chen Yufei changed her Weibo account name to “Chen Yufei on Vacation” and applied for world ranking protection with the Badminton World Federation. Her return to the court remains uncertain, and she has expressed thoughts about retirement, but the national team hopes she will stay and has given her time to consider.
An Seyoung will relinquish her position as the world No. 1 in women’s singles next week, with Chen Yufei from China taking over the top spot. An Seyoung will also miss the opportunity to become the third player in history, after China’s Li Xuerui and Tai Tzu Ying, to finish a year ranked first.
Regarded as a prodigious talent, An Seyoung won the Japan Open Championship in 2023 and first became the world No. 1 in women’s singles on August 1 of that year, making her the first Korean woman to hold the title in 27 years. She held the No. 1 ranking for 62 consecutive weeks. However, following her gold medal win in women’s singles at the 2024 Paris Olympics, An Seyoung has been sidelined due to injury. After returning home, she harshly criticized the Korean Badminton Association for their negligence and unfair treatment, revealing that during her seven years in the national team, she suffered bullying, had to do laundry for senior players, and even wash their underwear, which sparked a significant uproar.
An Seyoung‘s long absence from competitions will result in her handing over the world No. 1 title next week. Since the BWF established the world ranking system in 2002, only two players have finished a year ranked No. 1 in women’s singles: Li Xuerui from 2013 to 2014 and Tai Tzu Ying in 2017 and 2021.
Tai Tzu Ying first ascended to the world No. 1 ranking after winning the Hong Kong Super Series in 2016. She continued her dominance into the 2017 season, capturing five Super Series titles, along with gold medals at the Taipei Universiade and the Asian Championships, totaling seven international titles that set an unprecedented record for badminton in Chinese Taipei.
In January 2021, Tai Tzu Ying achieved an impressive 1 gold and 2 silver medals at three tournaments in Thailand, including her third title at the year-end finals. She also earned silver medals at the Tokyo Olympics and the World Championships, and in that year, she received the BWF Player of the Year award, becoming the first from Chinese Taipei to achieve this honor.
Chen Yufei was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the women’s singles at the Paris Olympics, missing out on a consecutive title. After the match, she announced a temporary break and applied for world ranking protection. Next week, her ranking will surpass An Seyoung, marking her return to the world No. 1 position since March 10, 2020.
The top two women’s singles players have both been absent from competitions for an extended period after the Paris Olympics. Chen Yufei has taken a break from the court, while An Seyoung, following her gold medal win at the Paris Olympics, has suspended her participation due to injury concerns. Their rankings will switch next week, with An Seyoung losing 5,580 points, dropping her world total to 100,337 points, while Chen Yufei will lose 1,800 points, reaching 101,682 points to reclaim the top spot. The third and fourth places are held by Wang Zhiyi from China, Spain’s Carolina Marin, Taiwan’s Tai Tzu Ying, Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi, China’s Han Yue, Indonesia’s Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, Japan’s Aya Ohori, and American-born Zhang Beiwen.
After Chen Yufei‘s return to the world No. 1 position, the Chinese badminton team holds the top ranking in all five events, with Shi Yuqi firmly seated as the king of men’s singles, Liang Weikang/Wang Chang leading men’s doubles, and Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan and Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong holding the top spots in women’s doubles and mixed doubles, respectively.
Tokyo and Paris Olympic men’s singles gold medalist Viktor Axelsen from Denmark recently reflected on his experiences facing Malaysia’s “Dato’” Lee Chong Wei and China’s “Super Dan” Lin Dan. Axelsen believes that Lee Chong Wei is tougher to deal with.
Axelsen has had numerous opportunities to compete against these two legendary players, but he has struggled significantly against Lee Chong Wei, suffering 11 losses out of 14 encounters. In contrast, he has had a relatively successful track record against Lin Dan, winning 6 out of 9 matches.
Recalling his early encounters with Lee Chong Wei, Axelsen noted that his opponent’s speed and sharpness were difficult to cope with. “I really don’t understand how anyone could beat Lee Chong Wei; he’s so much faster than me. Whenever I try to play a high shot, he would just smash it for a point, and it feels crazy.”
As for facing Lin Dan, Axelsen remarked that Lin’s inclination for drop shots makes him relatively easier to handle. “Although Lin’s shots are hard to predict, I feel I can engage in more rallies, which gives me more confidence.”
