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.
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.
The final Super 1000 event of the 2024 BWF World Tour, the China Open, will kick off on September 17 in Changzhou, Jiangsu, coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival. According to the latest information from the Chinese Badminton Association on September 16, and the draw released by the event organizers, China’s top women’s singles player and Tokyo Olympic champion, Chen Yufei, as well as Paris Olympic mixed doubles champions, Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong, will not be participating in this tournament. While fans may be disappointed by their absence, China’s objective remains unchanged: to achieve strong results in all five events, reach the finals in each, and secure as many titles as possible on home soil.
Following the Thomas and Uber Cup, this is the second top-level badminton event held in China this year, and the last Super 1000 event of the 2024 BWF World Tour. The China Open has attracted more than 200 top athletes from 21 countries and regions, with a total prize pool of $2 million, and increased ranking points. Unfortunately, the Chinese Badminton Association’s latest entry list, released on September 16, confirms that newly crowned Olympic mixed doubles champions Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong will not participate, despite being listed as the top seeds on the initial draw just last week. Additionally, China’s top women’s singles player, Chen Yufei, will also be absent. Reports had suggested she would return at the China Open, but she has opted to protect her ranking after the Paris Olympics, and her participation was never confirmed. It is now official that Chen Yufei will continue to stay off the court.
Despite these absences, China is still sending a strong lineup, determined to perform well at this important home tournament.
China’s men’s singles players are led by Paris Olympic participants Shi Yuqi and Li Shifeng, with Lu Guangzu, Weng Hongyang, and Lei Lanxi also competing. On the international front, nearly all the world’s top players have arrived in Changzhou, including Olympic gold, silver, and bronze medalists Viktor Axelsen, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, and Lee Zii Jia, as well as Kento Momota, Chou Tien-Chen, and others. It will be a tough battle for China to secure the men’s singles title.
In women’s singles, China’s Wang Zhiyi, Han Yue, Zhang Yiman, and Gao Fangjie are all placed in the top half of the draw, which is not an ideal situation. The top two seeds are Paris Olympic champion An Se-Young and Chinese Taipei’s veteran Tai Tzu-Ying, with Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi also in the mix. Apart from the injured Spanish player Carolina Marín and Chen Yufei, almost all of the world’s top female players are present.
In men’s doubles, all eyes are on the much-anticipated return of Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang, the Paris Olympic silver medalists. The duo had missed the Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong Opens after the Olympics but are back on the court for this event, bolstering China’s hopes of claiming the men’s doubles title. They are also the reigning champions of this event and are aiming to defend their title. China’s other men’s doubles pairs include Xie Haonan/Zeng Weihang and Chen Boyang/Liu Yi.
In women’s doubles, the biggest change for China is the new pairing of Paris Olympic champion Jia Yifan with Zheng Yu. They are seeded fifth in this tournament, while Chen Qingchen is temporarily away from the team and will miss the event. On the morning of September 16, Jia Yifan and Zheng Yu began training to adapt to the court, and although this is their first time partnering, they are expected to improve their coordination as they go. Paris Olympic silver medalists Liu Shengshu/Tan Ning and the Chinese pair Li Yijing/Luo Xumin are also in the bottom half of the women’s doubles draw. Japan’s popular duo Chiharu Shida and Nami Matsuyama, bronze medalists at the Paris Olympics, will also be competing.
In mixed doubles, despite the absence of Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong, China still has a strong chance of winning this event. The team’s second pair, Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping, the newly crowned Hong Kong Open champions Jiang Zhenbang/Wei Yaxin, as well as Guo Xinwa/Chen Fanghui and Cheng Xing/Zhang Chi, all have great potential to contend for the title.
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.
As the excitement of the Paris Olympics lingers, the global badminton community’s attention swiftly shifts to the upcoming 2024 Japan Open, set to begin on August 20. As the first high-level BWF event (Super 750) following the Olympics, it marks the start of a new Olympic cycle. Notably, pairs like Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan, Lee Yang/Wang Chi-Lin, and Zheng Yu/Zhang Shuxian are entering the tournament with new partners, while Tai Tzu-ying has chosen to continue competing, ready to take on the challenges of the new Olympic cycle.
1. Tai Tzu-ying Continues to Compete! Can Shi Yuqi Rebound from His Low Point?
Do you remember Tai Tzu-ying, who had vowed to retire before both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics? Her “last dance” has extended beyond the Paris Olympics. Although she suffered an unexpected early exit in the group stage at the Olympics after losing to Ratchanok Intanon, Tai Tzu-ying may well push through another Olympic cycle in pursuit of a major championship title. At the Japan Open, where she is seeded first, she is likely to face her old rival, Ratchanok Intanon, in the second round. Should she avenge her previous defeat, Tai Tzu-ying may have a clear path to the final, especially with the absence of top players like An Se-young, Chen Yufei, and Carolina Marin.
2.Shi Yuqi: Can He Rebound from Recent Challenges?
Shi Yuqi, on the other hand, is facing a major test in his career after a disappointing performance at the Olympics, which has somewhat dimmed his star power among fans. As the top seed, Shi Yuqi will face Taipei’s Su Li-yang in the first round, with no significant challenges expected in the first two rounds. However, in the quarterfinals, he might meet players like Li Shifeng or Jonatan Christie. If he reaches the semifinals, a rematch with Kunlavut Vitidsarn could be on the cards. Whether Shi Yuqi can regain his momentum and lift the gloom remains a point of great anticipation among fans.
3. Doubles Teams Shake-Up: New Partnerships and Fresh Excitement
The Japan Open has seen several doubles teams announcing their split and reformation, adding more unpredictability and excitement to the competition. Indonesia’s young pairs, Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto and Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin, have been restructured, potentially creating a new top men’s doubles duo. In Chinese Taipei, Lee Yang’s exit sees Wang Chi-Lin partnering with young talent Chiu Hsiang-chieh. Meanwhile, Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino, who have won bronze at two consecutive Olympics but struggled to break through in major tournaments, have decided to part ways. The Japan Open will mark their final competition together—can they end their partnership on a high note? Watanabe will seek a new mixed doubles partner, while Higashino plans to focus on women’s doubles. Additionally, the once-regular pairing of Seo Seung-jae/Chae Yoo-jung and Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai is now rarely seen, with both pairs set to go their separate ways after this season.
4.China’s Women’s Doubles: New Pairings and Future Prospects
Changes are also underway in the Chinese national team. Liu Shengshu/Tan Ning, who won the silver medal at the Paris Olympics, have shown potential to become China’s top pair, with discussions around building a strong second pair and the overall team structure now on the agenda. Although the Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan duo remains formidable, age is catching up with them, and the future of China’s women’s doubles requires the infusion of new talent. In this tournament, Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan have split up, with Chen Qingchen partnering with Zheng Yu, and Jia Yifan teaming up with Li Wenmei. This decision has left some fans puzzled, as Zheng Yu is nearing retirement at 28, and Li Wenmei is also not very young. Such pairings could potentially weaken the overall strength of both teams; if the goal is to develop new talent, it might be more effective to pair Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan with younger players. Zhang Shuxian, who has had multiple partners, will compete with Kong Hee-yong in this tournament.
5.Emerging Talent: Young Pairs to Watch
Additionally, young pairs like Li Yijing/Luo Xuemin and Wang Tingge/Wang Yiduo are also emerging, highlighting the urgent need for the Chinese women’s doubles team to reorganize and establish several strong, consistent pairs in the new Olympic cycle.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Chinese badminton team concluded their campaign with a total of 2 gold medals and 3 silver medals.
Before the Games began, the Chinese badminton team aimed to win all five gold medals in men’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, with world number one players or pairs in each event. Three years ago at the Tokyo Olympics, the mixed doubles pair Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong lost to teammates Wang Yilyu/Huang Dongping in the final, narrowly missing out on gold. This time, the “Yas” pair made thorough preparations and made a comeback, winning all six matches to secure the championship, completing a crucial piece of their career puzzle.
The women’s doubles final was an “internal” match between Chinese pairs. Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan eventually defeated their younger teammates Tan Ning/Liu Shengshu, compensating for their loss in the Tokyo Olympics final.
The men’s doubles competition was the most intense. Teams from China, Malaysia, India, and other countries had closely matched strengths, with victory largely depending on pre-match preparation and performance. Chinese pair Liu Yuchen/Ou Xuanyi failed to advance past the group stage, and although the world number one pair Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang reached the final, they ultimately fell short and had to settle for silver.
The performance of Chinese men’s singles players was unexpected. World number one Shi Yuki was in excellent form before the Olympics, having won several championships. However, in the men’s singles quarter-finals, Shi Yuki suffered a significant defeat to Thailand’s Kunlavut. Li Shifeng, the Hangzhou Asian Games champion, also underperformed and was eliminated in the Round of 16. This is the first time since the 2004 Athens Olympics that Chinese men’s singles has not reached the Olympic semi-finals.
The women’s singles performed better than the men’s. Chen Yufei and He Bingjiao both advanced from the group stage, meeting in the quarter-finals, where Chen Yufei lost to He Bingjiao, thus missing the chance for a repeat championship. In the women’s singles final, He Bingjiao faced world number one An Seyoung and was defeated due to a clear disparity in strength.
China’s badminton team has won the most Olympic gold medals in the history of the sport. At the 2012 London Olympics, the team achieved a clean sweep of all five gold medals. In the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, they secured two gold medals each. This time in Paris, their achievements are comparable to the previous two editions.
Over the past decade, badminton has rapidly developed worldwide, altering the competitive landscape. Teams from South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Denmark, and other countries have emerged with numerous talented players, diminishing China’s absolute dominance in any event. Especially in men’s events, China has been lacking a leading figure. Wang Chang commented in an interview with our reporter, “Competitive sports are always full of uncertainties. However, every Chinese athlete will strive for victory when they step onto the Olympic stage.”
On August 3, at the Paris Olympics, the Chinese pair Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan won the women’s doubles gold medal by defeating Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning with scores of 22-20, 21-15. This victory marked the 15th gold medal for the Chinese delegation at the Games.
Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan’s triumph at the Paris Olympics completes their remarkable journey through the Paris Olympic cycle. They have now achieved a Super Grand Slam in women’s doubles, having previously secured the gold medals at the 2021, 2022, and 2023 World Championships, culminating with the 2024 Olympic gold.
Their achievement is a testament to their dominance and consistency in the sport over the past few years.
With ten years of partnership, the “Fanfan” combination of Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan is overjoyed and excited.
“When the final ball landed, I couldn’t believe our match was over and that I now hold the title of Olympic champion and Grand Slam winner,” Jia Yifan said. The moment of achieving their dream has also heightened expectations for the future. “Although we achieved a perfect result, our career is not over yet. We are very much looking forward to continuing to work together,” Jia Yifan added with a smile.
On June 26, just 30 days before the Paris Olympics, Jia Yifan watched Chen Qingchen, competing in “one against three,” feeling mixed emotions. At that time, she was just out of the hospital after being ill, struggling to maintain systematic training.
On August 3, Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan won the women’s doubles gold medal at the Paris Olympics, defeating Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning with scores of 22-20, 21-15. After ten years of working together, the “Fanfan” duo faced unprecedented challenges in their final push towards Paris but ultimately overcame them with strong will and determination, reaching the pinnacle of the Olympic podium. The tears they shed at the moment of victory were a release of the decade-long struggle and a beautiful moment of helping each other achieve their dreams.
Three years ago, on the podium at the Tokyo Olympics as silver medalists, Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan embraced in tears. They decided to fight for each other one more time. Through the Tokyo cycle, their mutual trust grew stronger. “We completely trust each other; before, it was just about performing better in the game, but from then on, we really considered each other,” Jia Yifan said.
Returning for another Olympics was easier said than done. Over the past three years, they faced many difficulties. During last year’s World Championships preparation, Chen Qingchen had a foot injury and had to undergo treatment daily. “That period really tested my willpower. I had to find ways to improve my foot’s condition to train on the court,” Chen Qingchen said, recalling her struggles. She once wanted to give up and told Jia Yifan, “Maybe you should find another partner; someone better than me.”
“Don’t worry; just hang in there; you’ll be fine,” Jia Yifan reassured her. Since Chen Qingchen chose Jia Yifan as her partner in 2014, Jia Yifan has always been grateful to have this talented partner. In 2016, Chen Qingchen won the Uber Cup. Over the years, Jia Yifan worked hard to catch up with Chen Qingchen. With the support of her coach and Jia Yifan, Chen Qingchen overcame the most difficult times. They won the World Championships in 2022, further solidifying their journey towards the Paris Olympics and their ten-year goal.
In 2023, Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan won their fourth World Championship title. Just as everything seemed to be going as planned, they faced new challenges. In 2024, after celebrating ten years of partnership, Jia Yifan suffered a back injury during winter training, causing severe pain even while standing, and then sprained her ankle at the All England Open. After the Olympic qualifying matches, she was hospitalized due to illness with just over 30 days left before the Paris Olympics.
Unable to train, Chen Qingchen had to train alone, challenging her limits with two male athletes, and was always the last to leave the training venue. After Jia Yifan was discharged, she had to start adjusting her physical condition and gradually increase her training intensity. With the Olympics approaching, they couldn’t train together. During that time, their communication was minimal due to the low mood. However, for the sake of their Olympic dream and each other, they needed to overcome this obstacle. In the past, Jia Yifan often took the initiative to accommodate Chen Qingchen during disagreements, but this time, Chen Qingchen stepped up. On July 1, Chen Qingchen approached Jia Yifan, and they had a heartfelt conversation. Overcoming difficulties and competing in Paris led to the most beautiful result. “I really can’t believe that a month ago, I was still lying in the hospital. The illness brought me great fear. I had a high fever for four days and the week in the hospital was very painful and tormenting. I didn’t know how to train,” Jia Yifan recalled. “Even now, I still can’t believe I made it through. I’m grateful to my partner, who supported me when I needed it.”
From Tokyo to Paris, the “Fanfan” combination has been one of the best women’s doubles teams in the world. “The podium at the Tokyo Olympics to the podium at the Paris Olympics, other pairs have changed, but we are still here,” Chen Qingchen proudly said.
With their ten-year dream realized, the “Fanfan” combination is extremely excited and happy. “When the last ball landed, I couldn’t believe our match was over and that I now hold the title of Olympic champion and Grand Slam winner,” Jia Yifan said. At the moment of achieving their dream, they also increased expectations for the future. “Although we achieved a perfect result, our career is not over yet. We are very much looking forward to continuing to work together,” Jia Yifan concluded with a smile.
Three years ago, Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan stood on the podium as favorites for the gold but ended up with a second-place finish.
This time, with just a month to go before the opening of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Jia Yifan was hospitalized with pneumonia. “I spent a whole week in fear and pain,” she said. “It’s hard to imagine how I got through it.”
However, neither pneumonia nor anything else could stop Jia Yifan and Chen Qingchen from completing the final step of their journey, correcting the mistake they made last time.
In the finals, they faced their young compatriots Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning, who are likely to be the successors of the women’s singles champions in the coming years.
The first game was a perfect example of women’s doubles at its best and showcased the significant progress Chen and Jia had made in building their psychological fortitude, making them difficult to break. Just as Jia overcame her illness to prepare for the Olympics, she and Chen refused to give up even when they were down four game points in the first game, causing their compatriots to lose crucial momentum.
Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning played intensely, showcasing their strong backcourt play and leading 20-16, which could have given them the first game. At this point, Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan demonstrated their resilience. The top seeds scored six consecutive points, taking a commanding lead.
Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning continued to challenge until late in the second game, but Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan’s momentum was too strong to be stopped.
In the bronze medal match, Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida easily defeated Pearly Tan/Thinaah Muralitharan with a score of 21-11, 21-11.
“Last time, although we only got second place, we were content. Silver can only go to one person,” Jia Yifan said. “Of course, this time I got the gold medal, and compared to the last Olympics, I feel very calm today; back then, my emotions were more complicated.”
Jia Yifan went on to talk about the events during her hospitalization, which threatened her chance to compete in Paris.
“It’s unbelievable. A month ago, I was hospitalized, and this illness scared my compatriots. I had a high fever for four days and was diagnosed with white lung pneumonia.”
They are 20 and 21 years old, making them one of the youngest women’s doubles pairs to reach the Olympic finals. Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning have been on the international stage for less than two years and are just one step away from a fairy-tale gold medal.
They will face a pair striving to etch their names in the annals of the sport — four-time World Champions and Olympic silver medalists Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan.
Despite their youth — or perhaps because of it — Liu and Tan showed no nerves on the biggest stage of their lives. They defeated second seeds Lee So-hee and Baek Ha-na in straight games in the quarterfinals and displayed great composure today against third seeds Chiharu Shida and Nami Matsuyama. The biggest test came late in the second game when Shida and Matsuyama threatened to take the match to a decider. Liu and Tan remained clear-headed and steady-handed, ultimately defeating the Japanese pair to earn a historic gold medal.
“We remind each other not to dwell on a lost point. We can do better on the next one. Then we discuss our strategy for the next game,” said Liu Shengshu.
“It’s incredible now, even more so because we can enter the finals with our teammates.”
In the other semifinal, Pearly Tan and Tina Muralitharan challenged world number ones Chen Meng and Jia Zhangke; the Malaysian pair persisted until the end. For Chen Meng and Jia Zhangke, reaching the final is a chance for redemption after their loss in the Tokyo Olympics final. They become the first women’s doubles pair to reach consecutive finals since Ge Fei and Gu Jun. Another women’s doubles predecessor, Yang Wei, also reached consecutive finals but with different partners.
“I think today’s match was very exciting and extremely tough,” said Jia Yifan. “We knew they would give their all, and we indeed faced many challenges. However, we trust each other without a doubt. No matter the score, we believe that under each other’s guidance, we can win the match.”
“Tomorrow’s match is truly the last one, and it feels a bit exciting, like we are taking different paths (joking). We just want to cherish this moment, focus on the next match, and help each other fulfill our dreams.”
They said they were nervous and had barely slept all night—but on the court, Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan hid those emotions well. The key was how they managed their internal thoughts and external opponents, exuding a calm confidence as they defeated Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong 21-12, 21-13, becoming the first Malaysian women’s doubles pair to reach the semifinals at the Olympics.
It took them a moment to grasp the magnitude of their achievement.
“I still feel like I’m dreaming because from the group stage until now, it hasn’t been easy for us,” said Pearly Tan. “So, it feels unbelievable, but there’s still one more match to go. We need to stay grounded and focus on the next game.
“Today’s match was more about mindset (staying calm); whoever remained calmer would win. I’m glad that when one of us was nervous, we could support each other. I think that’s the most important thing,” Tan added.
“We were thinking about the match all the time, but once we stepped onto the court, we still felt nervous. But fortunately, we had each other,” her partner added.
Their next opponents will be Olympic silver medalists and four-time world champions Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan, whom they defeated in the group stage with scores of 21-17 and 22-20. But that match can wait. For now, the Malaysian pair can take pride in their decisive victory over the world number 10 Korean pair.
“Right now, we don’t want to think too much about the next match. We just want to recover well—eat well, sleep well, discuss strategies with each other and with the coach, and prepare for tomorrow’s match,” said Muralitharan.
“We came here with dreams, so we just want to give it our all in every match. We want to stay focused until the shuttle touches the ground. There’s still more to play for.”
Meanwhile, Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan moved one step closer to their first Olympic gold, defeating Bulgaria’s sisters Stefani and Gabriela Stoeva in just 41 minutes with a score of 21-15, 21-8.
There was more to celebrate for China as their young duo, Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning, aged 20 and 21, respectively, knocked out the second seeds Lee So-hee and Baek Ha-na. The Chinese world number three pair will face fourth seeds Chiharu Shida and Nami Matsuyama next, who cruised past Maiken Fruergaard and Sara Thygesen in the quarterfinals with a score of 21-7, 21-12.
In the men’s singles quarterfinals, world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn defeated Kenta Nishimoto 16-21, 21-14, 21-12, setting up a thrilling clash with world number one Shi Yuqi.
Japan’s hopes in men’s singles were dashed as the other Japanese player in the draw, Kodai Naraoka, also lost in the same stage to Chou Tien-chen, with a score of 21-12, 21-16.
“I felt a lot of pressure in the first game. I didn’t think too much. Controlling the shuttle was very difficult, and the wind was strong. It was important to stay aggressive, and the shuttle was slow,” Vitidsarn said.
“I need to learn because this is the biggest tournament. Now (next opponent) Shi Yuqi is very strong, with great tactics and performance. I have to do my best.
“My attack was good today, but I’m not sure about tomorrow because some players are different, right? I have to keep pushing.”
Chen Li-An faced off against Tai Tzu-ying with hopes of causing an upset but often found herself admiring from afar.
This is the fourth Olympic Games for the Belgian player, who has faced numerous opponents over the years. However, she admits that Tai stands out. Chen Li-An, competing in Group E, marveled at Tai’s artistry and skill.
“Sometimes I think, ‘Wow,’” she said, reflecting on Tai’s mesmerizing shots. “She is an exceptional player. To everyone, she might be one of the best players we’ve seen in the past decade; her style is unique, and her skills are beautiful. The audience enjoys watching her play. I hope she performs well.”
Chen has faced Tai a few times before. “This time, I was ready. The first time we played was very tough because no one else has shots like hers. But today, my performance was better than in previous matches. She is an incredible player, and I truly respect her.”
Tai, the silver medalist from the last Olympics, had been keeping a low profile before the 2024 Paris Games. Her season started well, reaching finals in Malaysia and India, and semifinals in the French Open and All England Open. However, a knee injury kept her out of competition since April. Her knees are wrapped in protective bandages, but she remained tight-lipped about her condition.
“I don’t feel much difference,” she said. “The movements are okay, but there is room for improvement. Generally, I make progress with each match.”
“I think the injury is under control, but my knee hasn’t fully recovered yet. I did rest for a few weeks, which was important. I haven’t set specific goals for the Olympics, but my next match will be tough because I’m up against Ratchanok (Intanon).”
“I haven’t thought much about my past Olympic performances; I’ve been trying not to put too much pressure on myself over the past month.”
Chen/Jia Unstoppable
Chen Qingchen’s exaggerated celebrations after defeating Apriyani Rahayu and Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti expressed her excitement for their second match.
Destiny had Chen/Jia Xinwen defeating them in the last Olympic final, and another member of their team, Rahayu, met Chen/Jia in Group A. In the second game, Rahayu and Ramadhanti saved two match points but eventually lost 21-12, 24-22. After securing the final point, Chen Qingchen celebrated with a fervor akin to winning the gold medal.
“We’re thrilled to reverse the result from the Tokyo Olympics. We’re excited to face them again and hope to bounce back from our Tokyo defeat,” Jia Yifan explained.
The result means Rahayu will be unable to defend her gold medal, as the Indonesian pair lost their opening match in the death group to Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara.
However, the two-time world champions Matsumoto/Nagahara lost to Pearly Tan/Thinaah Muralitharan today. The prospects for these pairs will hinge on their final group match. The Malaysian duo performed well in their match against Chen/Jia Yifan, showing resilience despite a narrow loss.
Chen Weiting said, “We’re excited to win the first match on such a big stage, but there’s still one more match, so we need to stay calm and focus on that.”
“We really support each other. That’s the most helpful thing for us.”