Lu Guangzu: Embracing Individuality and Progress

Jayce September 6, 2024 2 0

Lu Guangzu’s solitary walk through the corridor after the Singapore Open in July, captured with his back turned to the camera, resonated deeply with readers. Many interpreted it as a moment of desolation, but Lu himself remarked, “Seeing that photo, many people think it’s the silhouette of desolation. Actually, in my eyes, it resembles more of a person struggling in the mud, with the dawn of overcoming difficulties ahead. Though the process is bitter, the outcome is sweet.”

Lu Guangzu is known for his straightforward personality, reflecting in both his attitude and playing style on the men’s singles badminton circuit. He entered the national team at a relatively mature age and does not conform to the traditional aesthetic norms of men’s singles. Despite a challenging and slow journey, he has never compared himself to the high-achieving predecessors listed on China’s badminton accolades.

At the age of 12, Lu joined the Jiangsu team for training; at 18, he achieved fifth place in the National Championships, yet never participated in the highest-level World Junior Championships or Asian Junior Championships during his youth. It was not until he was 20 years old that he made his debut in international competitions. Comparatively, Lu Guangzu did face gaps in his career compared to standout peers.

However, it was at the 2017 National Games where Lu Guangzu, previously unknown, made a breakthrough by clinching the bronze medal in men’s singles. Years of effort finally translated into tangible results. Before the National Games, he had already made his way into the national team through internal matches and hard work.

In 2018, Lu officially entered international competitions. His distinctive attacking style led him to capture two championships and two runner-up titles in open tournaments within a year, a remarkable feat for a “rookie” entering the BWF World Tour at the age of 22.

After entering the top ranks of the world rankings, Lu Guangzu inevitably encountered bottlenecks. Rather than viewing these as setbacks, he sees them as the reality of the men’s singles circuit, where every first-round opponent in top-tier events presents a formidable challenge. Throughout the seasons before and after the pandemic, Lu Guangzu has continuously competed in such demanding arenas. Especially recently, he has taken on the role of China’s highest-ranked men’s singles player during overseas competitions, attracting attention, expectations, and criticisms alike.

Whether from fans or coaches, Lu Guangzu is consistently praised for giving his all in every match, regardless of the opponent or tournament. On the court, his unwavering determination to win is evident. Despite not yet clinching a championship and still facing a gap with the top players, Lu Guangzu values personal progress and the effort he puts in as the most important measures of success.

Lu Guangzu is articulate and even sought advice from coaches on how to handle off-court interviews. Internally, he is somewhat resistant to external connections, rarely taking photos and only reluctantly maintaining a presence on social media. In his leisure time, he prefers solitude to engage in activities he enjoys.

Despite his age, Lu Guangzu remains confident in himself, a vital attribute in competitive sports that fuels his drive and determination. There’s a popular saying online, “No pain, no gain,” but for Lu Guangzu, the best path forward is not through comparison, but through focusing on personal growth and being true to himself.