Olympic Story: Shi Yu Qi, Fully Committed to Pursuing His Dreams

Jayce September 6, 2024 18 0

The Chinese badminton team has recently arrived in Paris, beginning their final preparations for the Olympics. Before departing, Shi Yu Qi, the men’s singles player, wrote four words “全力以赴” (Go All Out) on social media, expressing his determination and anticipation for the Paris Olympics.

On June 9, 2024, Shi Yu Qi celebrated his victory at the Indonesian Open.

Shi Yu Qi, who has seen a resurgence in his career this season, is a strong contender for the men’s singles title at the Paris Olympics. In the first half of this year, he won four consecutive titles at the Indian, French, Singapore, and Indonesian Opens. He also played a key role in the Thomas Cup, winning as the top seed and helping the Chinese team reclaim the title after six years.

He has achieved a record of 35 wins and 3 losses in the eight international tournaments he participated in this year, with a winning rate of 92.1%, ranking first among the five badminton singles players. Shi Yu Qi also ascended to the world No. 1 ranking in men’s singles, a position the Chinese team has not held for eight years. He currently holds a career-long 16-match winning streak and is expected to continue extending this record in Paris.

At 28, Shi Yu Qi demonstrated his talent in badminton early in his career, achieving remarkable results. In 2014, he reached his first career peak, winning the men’s singles title at the Asian Youth Championships and the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games, making a significant impact in the world of badminton.

In the following years, Shi Yu Qi made a name for himself on the international stage with numerous victories in the BWF Tour and team events. 2018 was a particularly successful year for him, as he won the Thomas Cup and the Asian Games team championship, as well as the All England Open and the BWF World Tour Finals men’s singles titles. Notably, his victory over Lin Dan in the All England Open final elevated his status in the badminton world.

In 2019, Shi Yu Qi faced a major injury that affected his performance and mentality on the court. His form fluctuated, and in 2021, he was suspended by the national team for a controversial behavior. After his suspension was lifted in 2022, Shi Yu Qi encountered a low point in his career but faced the difficulties head-on. Through hard work and mental adjustment, his form gradually improved.

His efforts have paid off, as his skills have become more refined, and his world ranking has steadily risen. When he learned he had become world No. 1 this year, Shi Yu Qi calmly regarded it as a personal milestone but emphasized that the Paris Olympics is his primary focus. He aims to fully commit to achieving his Olympic dreams.

To achieve his goals, Shi Yu Qi faces significant challenges. His main competitor is likely to be the second seed, Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen, who has dominated the badminton world for years. Although Axelsen’s recent form has been affected by injuries, his strength as the defending champion remains formidable. The third seed, Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie, is also a strong contender, having won the All England Open and the Asian Badminton Championships this year. Additionally, players like Denmark’s Anders Antonsen, Indonesia’s Kinting, and Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia are also formidable opponents.

From the Paris Olympics draw, Shi Yu Qi’s initial matches look promising. His group stage opponents are relatively weaker, and he is expected to advance to the quarterfinals after winning his first two matches. In the quarterfinals, he might face Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn or Japan’s Kento Nishimoto. If he advances, his potential semifinal opponent could be the fourth seed, Anders Antonsen, leading to a competitive match. If he progresses to the final, he might face Viktor Axelsen, setting the stage for an anticipated showdown.

Looking ahead to Paris, Shi Yu Qi has stated that every match at the Olympics will be challenging, with strong opponents. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability on the court and plans to make thorough preparations before the tournament to ensure peak performance.