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At a recent fan meeting for Tai Tzu Ying, a video featuring interviews with her fans was shown, sharing their emotions as they followed her through various competitions and offering blessings for her upcoming retirement. Moved to tears after watching the video, Tai said, “This year hasn’t been my best, but I’m truly happy to still have so many people supporting me.”
At the Chinese Taipei Open, Lee Yang held a retirement ceremony, leaving a deep impression on his fans.
When asked if she plans to hold a similar event to say goodbye to her fans, Tai Tzu Ying responded, “I probably won’t want a retirement ceremony. I think I’d be too heartbroken. I cried at today’s fan meeting, and just watching the video left me speechless. I’m afraid I’d cry uncontrollably.”
Although Tai does not plan to hold a retirement ceremony, she hopes to accompany her fans in a different way. “I hope to do something more sustainable, like visiting schools and sharing with the children. I want to help them in any way I can,” she said.
With Chen Qingchen on an extended break, Jia Yifan has teamed up with Li Wenmei, Zheng Yu, and Zhang Shuxian in recent international tournaments. However, in a recent interview, Jia revealed that while adapting to her new partners, she encountered various challenges. Deep down, she longs to reunite with Chen Qingchen.
Both Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan, born in 1997, are often known as the “comedy duo” and “inspirational sisters” of the Chinese badminton team. After every match, their optimistic and cheerful attitudes always leave a positive impression on everyone. On the court, their resilience and fighting spirit, especially their ability to turn the tide in tough matches, consistently inspire fans.
Despite their playful off-court image, Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan’s abilities are formidable. They held the world No. 1 ranking for 93 consecutive weeks, won four World Championship titles, and went from earning an Olympic silver medal in Tokyo to clinching Olympic gold in Paris. After ten years of partnership, they achieved their long-awaited Grand Slam dream, becoming one of the greatest women’s doubles teams in Chinese badminton history. During the Paris Olympics medal ceremony, Jia Yifan took off a ring from her own hand and placed it on Chen Qingchen’s finger, and the two made a “10” gesture together, symbolizing their decade-long journey.
However, behind the scenes of that Olympic gold medal lay countless injuries and hardships. At one point, Chen Qingchen even contemplated retiring.
In 2022, Chen Qingchen almost retired due to a severe injury to her left foot. “It was May 2022. My left foot had been in a constant state of sprain from intense training, which caused the bones to protrude, making it impossible for me to run on the court. It was the first time I had faced such a serious injury, to the point where I couldn’t even complete training,” Chen recalled. The doctors told her she needed surgery, and if not, her only other option would be to retire.
Just a month before the 2024 Paris Olympics, sudden injuries once again tested their Olympic preparation. Jia Yifan was hospitalized with a persistent high fever, leaving Chen Qingchen to train alone. “That was the toughest time for me mentally. The pressure was enormous. I thought I wouldn’t be able to handle it. I experienced many negative emotions and behaviors. I would cry alone in the corner and nearly broke down.” When Jia finally recovered, it was Chen Qingchen’s turn to face an injury. She suffered a calf strain during an Olympic simulation match, so severe that she couldn’t even move for days, leaving her in tears again.
On October 2, Chen Qingchen participated in a land dragon boat drumming experience in Foshan, Guangdong.
After realizing their Olympic dream in Paris, the duo’s ten-year journey to Olympic victory was complete. Chen Qingchen chose to take a break, returning to her hometown in Guangdong to engage in various social activities, and has yet to return to competition. “After such a long preparation cycle, I felt mentally and physically exhausted. I hold myself to very high standards. If I’m not in great physical condition for future challenges, I might choose to take a break and then make further plans,” she said.
Meanwhile, Jia Yifan has been trying out partnerships with Li Wenmei, Zheng Yu, and Zhang Shuxian, but she has faced various difficulties in adjusting to the new pairings, with unsatisfactory results. Thus, she still longs to reunite with Chen Qingchen. “I hope to continue partnering with Chen Qingchen, but everyone has different life choices. If there’s an opportunity, I would love to play with her again. Our goal is to compete in the BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou at the end of the year. As for what happens next, we’ll see what the future holds,” Jia concluded.
Toh Ee Wei suffered a fall during a gym workout, leading to the withdrawal of Malaysian mixed doubles champions Tan Kian Meng and Toh Ee Wei from the Arctic Open and Denmark Open.
The 24-year-old, who celebrated her birthday last week, had an accident at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) gym, resulting in a deep cut to her left arm that required 16 stitches.
As a result, the world No. 9 pair will miss the upcoming Arctic Open (October 8-13) and Denmark Open (October 15-20).
A Close Call for the Young Athlete
Fortunately, the injury is to her left arm, not her dominant playing hand.
“I feel lucky that the glass didn’t hit my head or my playing arm. However, I did suffer a second-degree muscle tear in my back,” said Toh Ee Wei.
She is currently resting at home in Bachang, Melaka, and her parents rushed to see her after hearing about the injury.
Toh and Tan Kian Meng were set to compete in the BWF World Tour Super 750 event at the Denmark Open from October 15-20, but their participation will depend on her recovery, which is expected to take two weeks.
Malaysian national coaching director Rexy Mainaky stated that Toh’s condition is stable, and she is being closely monitored by the medical team.
Tan Kian Meng and Toh Ee Wei have been in good form, reaching the quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics in August and winning the Korea Open Super 500 title.
On the evening of September 22, the six-day China Badminton Open officially concluded, with the Chinese badminton team achieving four golds and two silvers.
Wang Chang from Zhejiang shared his thoughts on social media, summarizing the tournament. He expressed that both he and his partner always aim to win every match, but finishing healthily is no small feat. For fans concerned about the state of the Liang/Wangduo, he reassured them, saying, “Don’t rush us, we’re training every day.” This quickly became a trending topic.
“Firstly, the China Open has ended, and I have a few reflections to share with everyone.
In our current state, we also hope to win every match. Finishing healthily is not just something we say. From the veterans to more recent players like Chen Long, Fu Haifeng, and Zhang Nan, many have played through injuries and kept fighting. They are all heroes, true heroes who have brought glory to the nation! Injuries are something every professional athlete deals with to some extent. All we can do is give our best effort to overcome them, which is a reflection of the sporting spirit.
Secondly, within the team, we dedicate ourselves to serving communism, following the team’s guidance and leadership, promoting sports and badminton. We hope to bring more people to love the sport, just like how many were inspired by Lin Dan, the Cai/Fu duo, and Chen Long to take up badminton. Lastly, for those asking about my routine, yes, I’ve been delayed for two rounds, but I’m back to regular training starting tomorrow (even when there’s no match, we’re still training every day, don’t rush us, don’t rush us, we train every day).”
The China Badminton Open was the first official tournament for the Liang/Wang duo after the Paris Olympics. After returning to China, they participated in various award ceremonies and interviews, as their popularity surged. Although they continued to train even during variety show appearances, it was more sporadic and lacked the systematic approach they had before.
The saying goes, “Skip one day of training, you notice; skip two, the coach notices; skip three, the whole team knows.” Before the China Open,Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang set their goal as “finishing healthily,” given their recent assessment of insufficient training. They first defeated the Popov brothers 2-0 to reach the round of 16, but then fell 1-2 (19-21, 21-18, 17-21) to Indonesia’s Fikri/Maulana, failing to reach the quarterfinals, which underscored their earlier concerns.
However, competitive sports are always judged by results. After their second-round exit, there was plenty of online criticism that the Liang/Wang duo was distracted by variety shows and business events. Wang Chang’s long post on social media serves as a response, gently reminding everyone that he is fully aware of the situation—”Don’t rush us, we’re training every day”—while also hinting that active athletes attending events help promote the sport of badminton.
After securing the silver medal at the Paris Olympics, Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang’s popularity has steadily increased. From achieving the Olympic silver to participating in cross-industry activities and then making a fresh start, the different experiences have brought much growth to these young athletes. However, they remain clear that athletes can only realize their greatest value on the court, and serving the country remains their unchanging mission.
From Overcoming Setbacks to Perfect Synchronization
Many people know the story of how Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang soared from 444th place to world No. 1 in just 16 months, embodying the essence of perfect synchronization. However, both athletes have faced their own setbacks, and it was during these low points that they became stronger and more appreciative of their victories on the court.
Born in 2001, Wang Chang was the runner-up in the men’s doubles at the 2017 World Junior Championships and the champion at the 2018 World Junior Championships. But after joining the national team, Wang hit a low point, often exiting in the first round with his partner. During this tough period, Wang doubted himself but reminded himself not to rush, knowing that many top players struggled when first transitioning to senior-level tournaments. “After experiencing it, things will gradually improve,” he told himself.
Born in 2000, Liang Weikeng faced multiple defeats after joining the national first team in 2019, severely shaking his confidence and leading to a halt in his training progress. At the end of 2020, Liang was sent back to the newly formed national training team. Motivated by this setback, he decided to start fresh. In one month, he lost 13 kilograms, and by December 2021, he performed exceptionally well in internal competitions, earning his way back to the first team.
In 2022, the national team reshuffled the men’s doubles pairs, bringing together these two previously frustrated but cheerful young players. Starting in May of that year, Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang began competing together, and their collaboration quickly clicked. Wang Chang’s sharp net play combined with Liang Weikeng’s powerful backcourt smashes led them to multiple championship victories, steadily boosting their world ranking.
The Paris Olympics marked their debut on the Olympic stage. They were eager to see the national flag raised and hear the anthem played. But during preparation, they encountered common challenges faced by young athletes. “We were in peak form at first, but after the initial excitement passed, physical fatigue set in,” Liang Weikeng explained. To move more freely on the court and protect his previously injured ankle, Liang embarked on a tough weight-loss journey starting in December of last year. “In the hot March of Lingshui, Hainan, after each training session, I ran in a weight-loss suit in over 30-degree heat,” Liang said. He successfully dropped from 88 kilograms to 77 kilograms.
“He shares his body metrics in the group chat,” Wang Chang said, noting that his partner’s positive changes also motivated him to look inward and address his own weaknesses. “I watch videos of my matches from six months ago, analyzing my progress and shortcomings.” Watching his own match footage has become Wang’s hobby.
Approaching their first Olympics, Liang and Wang maintained a mindset of both ambition and enjoyment. “We must play boldly and give our all on the court,” they set as their goal before the games. In the end, they won the silver medal.
Though losing the final left them feeling down momentarily, the young pair quickly reset their focus on the next four-year cycle.
A New Start in the New Cycle
Last week’s China Open was Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang’s first competition after the Paris Olympics, where they lost 1-2 to the Indonesian pair Fikri/Maulana, exiting in the round of 16.
During the match, Liang and Wang led the Indonesian pair 14-12 in all three games, but couldn’t handle the crucial moments well enough to secure victory. “We didn’t manage our serve reception well. Their serves in the wind-assisted zone were more comfortable, and our connection between the serve reception and the third shot wasn’t smooth,” Wang explained regarding their loss after leading in the deciding game. The competition in the men’s doubles field is particularly fierce right now. Even before the Paris Olympics, Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang, despite being ranked No. 1, didn’t hold a clear advantage over other top-ten pairs, with many matches coming down to performance on the day.
Having experienced the Olympics, Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang understand the increased expectations for them to perform well. But after a one-month break, they’re clearly not yet back to their Olympic form. Recovery will take time, and they will face more challenges along the way.
Chen Qingchen, who did not participate in the 2024 China Open, recently returned to her hometown, Meizhou, to share her hard-earned glory and joy with the local community.
On the morning of September 10, at 9 a.m., amid enthusiastic applause and cheers, a bus decorated with a banner reading “Warmly Welcome Paris Olympic Champion Chen Qingchen Back in Glory” slowly drove into the Xingning City Exhibition Center, escorted by police motorcycles. Cannons fired in celebration, and people waved national flags, welcoming the hero who brought honor to the country in the most enthusiastic way.
At the welcome ceremony, key officials from the Meizhou Sports Bureau and the Xingning City Government personally presented Chen Qingchen with a sash bearing the title “Olympic Champion Chen Qingchen.” They also presented flowers and souvenirs to her, her family, and her first coach, Zou Shiwen. During the meeting, both the Meizhou Sports Bureau and Xingning City Government gave her commemorative gifts and a limited edition painting.
After the welcome ceremony, Chen Qingchen and her entourage visited Xingning No.1 High School, where she interacted with teachers and students. She shared her personal growth experiences and training insights, encouraging students to bravely pursue their dreams and persevere. The atmosphere was warm and lively, and the students expressed their desire to follow Chen Qingchen’s example by working hard and striving for excellence.
During the opening ceremony of the “100 Counties, 1,000 Towns, 10,000 Villages” series—Meizhou’s Xingning County Badminton Tournament, Chen Qingchen performed the opening serve for the match. Her presence once again ignited the enthusiasm of the audience, who cheered her on loudly.
Li Junpei, Deputy Director of the Meizhou Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism, personally awarded Chen Qingchen a special certificate appointing her as the “Meizhou Cultural and Tourism Ambassador.”
This certificate not only recognizes Chen Qingchen’s personal achievements but also acknowledges her influence and appeal as a public figure. As the “Meizhou Cultural and Tourism Ambassador,” Chen Qingchen will take on the responsibility of promoting Meizhou’s culture and tourism. With her personal experiences and influence, she will showcase Meizhou’s beautiful scenery, rich culture, and tourist attractions, attracting more visitors to Meizhou and contributing to the development of her hometown’s economy and society.
The ongoing battle between badminton prodigy An Se-young and the Korean Badminton Association (KBA) has finally reached its conclusion. South Korea’s Ministry of Sports officially announced plans to abolish the controversial regulation that barred non-national team players from participating in international tournaments. Additionally, an investigation into KBA President Kim Cheol-kyu regarding accusations of misconduct and embezzlement has been initiated.
An Se-young, born in 2002, won the women’s singles badminton gold medal at this year’s Paris Olympics, becoming only the second South Korean to achieve this after Bang Soo-hyun. Despite her extraordinary achievement, An shocked the badminton world by announcing her decision to leave the national team shortly after the Olympics, citing dissatisfaction with both the team and the KBA.
South Korea places great importance on respecting seniority, and the national badminton team is no different. An, who joined the team at the age of 15, had to wash clothes and clean rooms for her seniors as the youngest member, a routine that continued for seven years. This severely impacted her training and rest time. What made matters worse was the lack of care she received from the KBA after winning the Asian Games last year despite an injury. Rather than addressing her medical needs, the KBA forced her to continue competing, which led to a misdiagnosed knee injury that worsened over time.
In response to this injustice, An Se-young bravely stood up, publicly exposing the problems within the KBA. Her actions garnered widespread support from fans, attention from the South Korean government, and even reached the Presidential Office. Under growing public pressure, the Ministry of Sports announced a thorough investigation into the matter.
The Ministry stated that badminton is the only Olympic and Asian Games sport in South Korea that imposes such restrictions on non-national team players. The KBA’s policies excessively limit players’ professional freedom. Badminton associations in countries like the United States, Japan, Denmark, and France impose no such restrictions. Many national team players have voiced their desire to see these regulations loosened or removed altogether, and the ministry has vowed to take steps toward abolishing them.
It’s worth noting that An Se-young is not the first athlete to challenge the KBA’s authority. Back in 2018, veteran players Ko Sung-hyun and Shin Baek-cheol, after leaving the national team, found themselves barred from international tournaments due to KBA restrictions. They took the association to court and won their case.
Kang Kyung-jin currently serves as the women’s doubles coach for China.
In the same year, the Korean badminton community faced turmoil as disappointing player performances led the KBA to blame its coaches, resulting in the sudden dismissal of seven coaches, including head coach Kang Kyung-jin. Following his dismissal, Kang publicly criticized KBA officials, accusing them of living in luxury while coaches and players were forced to travel in economy class. Kang claimed that the officials used tournament funds to fly in expensive business class seats.
Moreover, the KBA’s upper management was often out of touch with the sport but still insisted on interfering with player selections for team competitions. In May 2017, during the Sudirman Cup, a particularly absurd incident occurred. Senior KBA officials, believing that the young Korean team had no chance of winning the Sudirman Cup, left after the quarter-finals, flying home in first-class seats costing 26 million won. However, the Korean team went on to win the Sudirman Cup for the first time in 14 years—without a single KBA official present!
Subsequently, both Kang Kyung-jin and Choi Min-ho, two former Korean coaches, left the KBA to join China’s national badminton team, coaching the women’s doubles and men’s doubles teams, respectively.
Sara Thygesen and Maiken Fruergaard are set to end their partnership. Maiken Fruergaard will team up with Natasja Anthonisen as her new partner, while Sara Thygesen will be looking for a new partner to continue her career for the time being.
The VICTOR Denmark Open 2024 will mark the final tournament together for Sara Thygesen and Maiken Fruergaard.
After 12 years as a duo, the women’s doubles pair is parting ways, having secured six national titles, four European Championship bronze medals, and most recently, an Olympic quarterfinal spot after defeating top-tier pairs this summer.
“It’s the end of a long partnership, and in many ways, it feels like saying goodbye to a family member after being together for so long. We’ve shared countless experiences and grown together as players and individuals,” said Sara Thygesen.
She pointed to the 2020 Indonesia Masters, where they reached the final, as one of the highlights of their career.
“That tournament was one of those special moments where everything clicked. It was the beginning of the playing style we perfected over the past five years, and it all culminated in the Olympic memory this summer. This partnership has meant so much to me, and now I have to figure out what’s next. I still want to keep playing for a while, but I’ll see what opportunities come up,” Thygesen added.
Maiken Fruergaard also shared fond reflections on their partnership.
“I’ve always partnered with Sara during my time on the national team, so it’s emotional to see this chapter end. We’ve had our ups and downs, played fun matches, and achieved fantastic results together. We brought out the best in each other, and I truly enjoyed our time as a team,” said Fruergaard.
Fruergaard, 29, will now pair with Natasja Anthonisen, who is six years younger.
“It will be a big adjustment for me, having only played with Sara, but I’m ready for the challenge and will give it my all. Natasja is younger, so I hope I can share some of my experience with her, but I also believe we’ll learn a lot from each other. I’m excited to see what we can accomplish,” said Fruergaard.
Jens Meibom, Director of Elite Sports at Badminton Denmark, also acknowledged the end of the 12-year partnership between Sara Thygesen and Maiken Fruergaard.
“We are incredibly thankful for their contribution to Danish badminton over the years, especially their commitment to the national team. They have been key members of the squad for the past decade and have shown they can compete against the best in the world. Their fantastic performance at the Olympics, beating top-level opponents, was a great way to finish. We are optimistic about the new pairing of Maiken and Natasja, and we will work to find a suitable partner for Sara as she
Natasja Anthonisen, who will now return to playing with a Danish partner after a year partnering with Dutch player Alyssa Tirtosentono, has officially been admitted to Badminton Denmark’s elite program.
Although she has been training at Brøndby Hallen for the past three years, she expressed her gratitude for the formal recognition.
“It means so much to me to receive this acknowledgment. It’s been my goal since I started training at Brøndby, and it feels great to know I’m on the right path. I’m really looking forward to starting my partnership with Maiken, and hopefully, we can achieve great results together,” says Anthonisen.
Two-time Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen has unveiled the secret behind his powerful smashes and incredible agility on the badminton court. The 30-year-old player shared a 54-second video on Instagram, offering a glimpse into his workout routine.
In the video, Axelsen shared two of his key exercises:
Hex Bar Deadlifts
3-4 sets, 8-12 reps
Axelsen stated that hex bar deadlifts and lateral exercises are crucial to his powerful smashes. These exercises give him perfect balance and strengthen his leg muscles, which are essential for executing smashes. He recommends that young badminton players incorporate this exercise into their daily training to elevate their game. He said, “Hex bar deadlifts can transform a badminton player’s level.”
“They are a great alternative to squats and deadlifts.”
“They build strong legs and explosive power, improve balance, and provide the strength you need for a more powerful jump smash.”
Bulgarian Split Squats or Dumbbell Lunges
3 sets per leg, 6-8 reps
In the second part of the video, Axelsen explained why Bulgarian split squats or dumbbell lunges are ideal for badminton players and how they have improved his agility over the years.
He explained, “These exercises build single-leg strength, enhance balance, and improve agility.”
“This is crucial for quickly changing direction on the court. Additionally, they help prevent injuries by strengthening stabilizer muscles.”
Axelsen and Social Media The Danish player is also well aware of the power of social media and its ability to boost the popularity of badminton. He has amassed a million followers on Instagram, as well as on Weibo and TikTok.
Earlier this month, Axelsen defended his men’s singles title by defeating Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn to claim the gold medal. Axelsen needed only 52 minutes in the final to secure a 21-11, 21-11 victory over Vitidsarn.
Axelsen became the first European to win consecutive Olympic badminton singles gold medals. Just like in the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, his Paris victory remains the only medal won by a European in the sport
Japan’s 18-year-old badminton star Maya Taguchi competed in both the women’s doubles and mixed doubles events at the 2024 All Japan Corporate Badminton Championships. Taguchi, paired with Akari Sato, advanced to the women’s doubles round of 16. Both players were inspired by the bronze medal-winning women’s doubles pair of Chiharu Shida and Nami Matsuyama at the Paris Olympics, with their sights set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The 18-year-old Maya Taguchi, who stands 165 cm tall, has a sweet appearance, resembling Hanni, a member of the famous South Korean girl group “NewJeans.” She is also highly skilled, having won gold in women’s doubles at the World Junior Championships last year. Since entering senior tournaments, she has teamed up with 23-year-old Akari Sato, with their bond so close it’s as if they are real sisters. Sato describes Taguchi as mischievous and innocent, often absent-minded, and Taguchi admits that she relies on Sato a lot.
Japan’s women’s doubles pair, Chiharu Shida and Nami Matsuyama, won bronze at the Paris Olympics, marking their first time reaching the Olympic podium and securing Japan’s first-ever bronze in women’s doubles at the Olympics. Taguchi and Sato were greatly inspired by this achievement. Sato acknowledges that winning lower-tier tournaments is still difficult for them, but after watching the Olympics, they too aspire to reach the elite level of their predecessors. Taguchi hopes to fully showcase their strengths in future matches, steadily improving and preparing for their dream stage.
In mixed doubles, Japan’s Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino won bronze at the Paris Olympics, claiming their second consecutive Olympic bronze medal. After the Japan Open Super 750 series, Watanabe split with Higashino and formed a new pairing with Maya Taguchi. Competing together for the first time at the All Japan Corporate Badminton Championships, they have also advanced to the mixed doubles round of 16.
Shuttle Time Youth Leader of Northern Marianas I was born and raised on the island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas. I am the middle child of three. My younger sister also plays badminton and had the opportunity to represent the Northern Marianas in youth competitions. When I was younger, I didn’t know anything about badminton. I preferred volleyball and soccer until a friend introduced me to the sport. Then I participated in my first official match. It wasn’t until high school that I developed a strong interest in playing badminton competitively. The competition left a deep impression on me, and watching coaches play inspired me to pursue the sport further. I represented my school in interschool tournaments in Saipan. I trained three times a week and competed on Saturdays. In 2024, I was selected for the Northern Marianas U17 team to compete in the U17 Pacific Invitational Tournament held in Australia.
Memorable Moments Winning the Saipan High School Championship for the first time was a significant moment for me. The memories I made with my teammates are unforgettable because they helped me through the ups and downs of the sport. Badminton is an important hobby for me. It has deepened my social connections, kept me fit, and allowed me to see different parts of the world. The badminton community in the Northern Marianas is a friendly and humble group of enthusiasts.
Developing Badminton I served as a line judge and referee during the middle school championships in Saipan. I am interested in using the Shuttle Time Youth Leader training I received to coach younger players in the future.
Impact of Shuttle Time Badminton started to grow as I played. Every year, more people began playing badminton. At lunchtime in my school, it seems like half the students are playing badminton.
Arisa Higashino (28, BIPROGY), who won a bronze medal in mixed doubles badminton at the Paris Olympics and announced her marriage on the 28th of last month, updated her Instagram Stories on the 4th. She shared that she had received wedding gifts from her badminton friends.
The first gift was from Nami Matsuyama (26), a fellow bronze medalist in women’s doubles at the Paris Olympics, part of the “Shida-Matsu” pair. Matsuyama gifted Higashino a knife from the long-established cutlery maker Nihonbashi Kiya and a cutting board made of Kiso Hinoki (Japanese cypress). Additionally, Matsuyama also gave her a birthday present—a cap and bag—that she couldn’t deliver during the Olympic period on August 1st. Higashino expressed her gratitude: “Thank you, Nami-chan. The adorable description was so sweet! The bag and cap are super cute! I’ll improve my cooking skills with these. Let’s go out for dinner soon!!!”
Higashino also shared the thoughtful message from Matsuyama: “Thanks for everything! I’m glad it arrived safely. Let me introduce the gifts! The cutting board and knife are for your wedding. I tried to go for something a bit different rather than the usual gifts, so I hope it’s unique! The knife can be sharpened monthly at the shop, so if it gets dull, feel free to give it a try!! The cap and bag are for your birthday. I picked something street-style and cute, keeping you in mind. Honestly, after choosing them, I kind of wanted them for myself, too! Use them often (laughs). That’s all for my introduction! Haha.” The message conveyed their close friendship.
Additionally, Yu Hirayama, the coach of BIPROGY (39), gave a pair of matching bathrobes in navy and pink, meant for Higashino and her husband, Yu Igarashi (29), who is also a coach on the same team. Higashino wrote, “Thank you so much for the lovely bathrobes. I’m looking forward to wearing them after my baths,” expressing her appreciation with a heart emoji.
