Farewell to the Olympic Stage Tuou and Phoenix Leave No Regrets from Nothing to Something

Jayce September 6, 2024 2 0

On the fifth day of the Olympic badminton competition, we finally faced the reluctant “farewell.” Yesterday’s matches saw Liu Yuchen/Ou Xuanyi fight to the end but still fail to advance, ending their journey at the group stage. Following that, China’s mixed doubles team had an unfortunate internal clash, with Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping exiting in the quarterfinals, bidding farewell to the Olympic stage. Both pairs are new combinations formed during the Paris cycle, achieving notable success and facing ups and downs. On the Olympic stage, they gave their all and now can only accept the results and leave the court with a smile.

From Tokyo to Paris, Huang Dongping and Liu Yuchen, an Olympic champion and an Olympic runner-up respectively, started anew with new partners, fighting hard for the Olympics. As core players, both Huang and Liu had to lead their partners and consider many factors. As new partners, the “post-00s” Feng Yanzhe and the “late bloomer” Ou Xuanyi had to push themselves to grow rapidly.

Throughout this journey, they faced many setbacks and had many shining moments. “Tuou” reached the finals in their debut, won the 1000 series and the World Tour Finals in their first year, and turned the tide in the Sudirman Cup. However, during the Olympic qualification tournaments, they often found themselves in precarious situations with declining form, injuries, and age taking their toll. Ou Xuanyi, who had rarely participated in major tournaments before partnering with Liu Yuchen, had to overcome psychological barriers, while Liu Yuchen’s hip, diagnosed as almost like that of an elderly person, severely affected his movement.

Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping, a pair confirmed less than two years before the Olympics, showed remarkable progress. Huang Dongping evolved from being guided by Wang Yilyu to guiding young Feng, constantly seeking ways to communicate and manage emotions, increasingly displaying her maturity as a senior. Feng Yanzhe, from a young player to the partner of an Olympic champion, endured immense pressure and stress over the past year but never vented to anyone, always converting pressure into motivation for faster growth. He only held himself accountable.

Yesterday’s men’s doubles match was tragic. Pre-match calculations showed that “Tuou” needed to win 2-0 against “Antelopes” to advance; if they won 2-1, they needed the “Babysitters” to beat the Danish pair; if they lost, they would be out. “Tuou” took the first game 21-17, igniting hope. However, the situation turned sharply in the second game, which they lost 17-21. Meanwhile, the Danish pair had already won the first game and clinched the second at 20-19 by scoring three consecutive points, extinguishing “Tuou’s” hopes.

At that moment, “Tuou’s” fate was sealed; even winning the current match would not help them advance. Liu Yuchen admitted that it was hard for him to handle and very impactful. However, after processing his emotions, he decided that since it was their last match, they should give it their all. Although the final score was 22-24, Liu and Ou fought like warriors, giving their all on the battlefield.

The evening’s mixed doubles internal battle was heartbreaking; both sides were dear. Ultimately, “Yaqing” won 2-0, ending the “Phoenix” pair’s Paris Olympic journey. Facing Feng’s tearful thanks and apologies, Dongping showed her maturity and magnanimity as a senior: “Even if we lost, I feel fulfilled. This was about what I expected before we came. Although we hoped for better, I think we have done all we could. The bravest thing I did this cycle was choosing to partner with young Feng. Without Feng, there wouldn’t be today’s Huang Dongping.”

Yesterday, we said goodbye to these two pairs, both of which fought from Tokyo to Paris as “old-new” combinations. Regrets are common, and perfection is rare. The charm and cruelty of competitive sports lie in our tendency to judge heroes by their results, often overlooking the journey from the start. The journey is beautiful, the present is real, and the future remains hopeful.