Tag: Chiharu Shida

志田千阳

  • China Open Kicks Off on Mid-Autumn Festival!

    China Open Kicks Off on Mid-Autumn Festival!

    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.

  • Maya Taguchi Aims for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

    Maya Taguchi Aims for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

    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.

  • The Glorious Era of Japanese Women’s Doubles Comes to an End: Wakana Nagahara Announces Retirement

    The Glorious Era of Japanese Women’s Doubles Comes to an End: Wakana Nagahara Announces Retirement

    On September 4, 29-year-old Japanese badminton women’s doubles star Wakana Nagahara held a press conference in Akita City to announce that she will retire in March next year. Her partner, 28-year-old Mayu Matsumoto, will also leave the national team but may continue to compete with other players. The Japan Open in August this year marked the final stage for this pair to compete together.

    In her retirement statement, Wakana Nagahara said, “As a member of the Japanese national badminton team for nine years, every day was busy, and there were some painful moments. Looking back now, there were also many happy times… I will participate in the upcoming Japan S/J Badminton League and officially retire in March next year.”

    Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi became the first Japanese women’s doubles pair in history to reach world No. 1 in October 2014. They won gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, ushering in the golden era of Japanese women’s doubles. From 2017 to 2019, Japanese women’s doubles teams flourished, occupying half of the world’s top 10. Among them, the strongest pairs were Misaki Matsutomo/Ayaka Takahashi, Yuki Fukushima/Sayaka Hirota, and Mayu Matsumoto/Wakana Nagahara.

    Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota won silver at the World Championships in 2017, 2018, and 2019, while Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara made their breakthrough in 2018, emerging as dark horses to claim back-to-back World Championships titles in 2018 and 2019. They also reached the world No. 1 ranking for the first time in April 2019 and were once considered the successors to Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi. Japan even viewed the Tokyo Olympic women’s doubles gold medal as almost a certainty.

    As Ayaka Takahashi retired due to injuries, Yuki Fukushima/Sayaka Hirota and Mayu Matsumoto/Wakana Nagahara gradually became Japan’s main force in women’s doubles. Both pairs competed in the Tokyo Olympics, but Hirota suffered a knee injury just before the games and had to compete wearing a brace after choosing conservative treatment. Unfortunately, they were eliminated in the quarterfinals, and Matsumoto/Nagahara also fell at the same stage, putting a damper on Japan’s once-dominant women’s doubles.

    Following their quarterfinal exit at the Tokyo Olympics, Matsumoto and Nagahara were disappointed and considered splitting up. However, they decided to continue partnering for the Paris Olympics. Although they were unable to achieve their ideal results in Paris, exiting in the group stage, they persevered until the end. Sayaka Hirota also suffered another devastating knee ligament tear just before the 2024 Olympics, ultimately missing this year’s games.

    Now, with Wakana Nagahara’s retirement, the strongest generation of Japanese women’s doubles has officially come to an end. The rise of Chiharu Shida and Nami Matsuyama brings new hope to Japan’s women’s doubles, but compared to the glory achieved by their predecessors, they still have a long way to go in terms of personal strength and accomplishments, requiring more time to grow and mature.

  • Chiharu Shida and Nami Matsuyama Speak Out After Withdrawal

    Chiharu Shida and Nami Matsuyama Speak Out After Withdrawal

    Japan’s “most beautiful women’s doubles” pair, Chiharu Shida and Nami Matsuyama, who won the bronze medal in women’s doubles at the 2024 Paris Olympics, withdrew from the round of 16 in the Super 500 Korea Open yesterday. Today, Chiharu Shida spoke out on social media.

    After their Olympic bronze medal victory, Chiharu Shida and Nami Matsuyama immediately began preparing for the Super 750 Japan Open. Unfortunately, they were unable to secure the title at home, losing in the quarterfinals to compatriots Rena Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi with scores of 25-23, 19-21, 18-21.

    Following the Japan Open, Chiharu Shida and Nami Matsuyama vowed to give their all at the Korea Open. After receiving a bye in the first round, they faced Taiwan’s Hung En-tzu and Hsieh Pei-shan in the round of 16. However, Chiharu Shida began to feel unwell and withdrew from the match when they were trailing 1-3, allowing Hung En-tzu and Hsieh Pei-shan to advance to the quarterfinals.

    Today, Chiharu Shida shared an update on her Instagram story, saying, “Thank you all for your continued support. I decided to withdraw from the Korea Open due to my condition not being suitable for competition. I will now focus on recovering and preparing for the next match.”

    After being eliminated in the round of 16 at the Korea Open, Chiharu Shida and Nami Matsuyama are expected to compete in the Super 1000 China Open, starting on September 17.

  • Kunlavut confesses to Chiharu Shida: She is my first choice for mixed doubles partner

    Kunlavut confesses to Chiharu Shida: She is my first choice for mixed doubles partner

    Japanese women’s doubles player Chiharu Shida’s charm is undeniable. When asked about his ideal mixed doubles partner, Thailand’s Olympic silver medalist and 2023 Men’s Singles World Champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn chose the 27-year-old Japanese athlete, emphasizing that she is “very cute.”

    In a social media clip circulating online, the 23-year-old Kunlavut was asked who his ideal partner would be. He responded, “Chiharu Shida, because she’s very cute. Really, really, she’s very cute.”

    Both Kunlavut and Chiharu Shida made it to the podium at the recently concluded Paris Olympics earlier this month.

    Kunlavut advanced to the men’s singles final after defeating Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia in the semifinals but ultimately lost to Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen, securing the silver medal. Meanwhile, Chiharu Shida and her partner Nami Matsuyama claimed the bronze medal after defeating Malaysia’s Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah.

  • Korean badminton star Kim Hae-na praised Chiharu Shida’s beauty.

    Korean badminton star Kim Hae-na praised Chiharu Shida’s beauty.

    Chiharu Shida, renowned among badminton fans for her beauty and recent Olympic bronze medal, has recently updated her social media.

    Korean badminton star Kim Hae-na commented on Shida’s post, saying she is “so beautiful.”

    Kim Hae-na

    Kim Hae-na and Ko Sung-hyun reached the highest world ranking of number one as a pair. In June 2018, Kim Hae-na announced her retirement. Later that year, she married her boyfriend, Lu Yi-xu (phonetic), and in 2023, they welcomed a child.

  • Matsuyama’s Stomach Pain Leads to the Quarterfinal Exit of Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida

    Matsuyama’s Stomach Pain Leads to the Quarterfinal Exit of Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida

    On August 23, at the quarterfinals of the 2024 Japan Badminton Open, Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida were defeated 1-2 (25-23, 19-21, 18-21) by their teammates Rin Ikeda and Kayo Nakanishi, ending their run in the top eight.

    Chiharu Shida commented, “Although we played well in the first and second games, some mistakes prevented us from recovering. By the third game, we were struggling physically.”

    Japanese media attributed this to the physical and mental fatigue accumulated since the Paris Olympics. Matsuyama experienced stomach pain after the match and even had to stop the interview due to her discomfort.

    Although disappointed not to win at home, Shida acknowledged, “We did everything we could, but more people have come to understand us since the Olympics. I will rest well and show everyone my growth at the next tournament in Japan.”

    Shida plans to participate in the Korea Open, which begins on August 27.

  • Chiharu Shida and Nozomi Sasaki Both Known as “Akita Beauties” – A Possible Transition to the Entertainment Industry After Retirement

    Chiharu Shida and Nozomi Sasaki Both Known as “Akita Beauties” – A Possible Transition to the Entertainment Industry After Retirement

    Japanese badminton player Chiharu Shida, alongside her partner Nami Matsuyama, clinched the bronze medal in the women’s doubles at the Paris Olympics, winning their match in straight sets. Beyond their outstanding performance on the court, Shida’s fair complexion and sweet, first-love-like smile have quickly captured public attention. Her personal Instagram account has seen a surge of nearly 400,000 followers, earning her the title of “Badminton Goddess,” with her fame spreading from Japan to the world.

    1. A Born Badminton Talent


    Born in 1997 in Hachirōgata, Akita Prefecture, Japan, Chiharu Shida demonstrated exceptional athletic talent from a young age. Her parents nurtured this talent, and Shida’s passion for badminton led her to achieve remarkable success early on. In the fourth grade, she represented the Hachirōgata Junior Team and secured third place in the All-Japan Elementary School Championships, showcasing her outstanding effort and talent.

    Shida’s rapid development continued, as she consistently achieved excellent results in domestic badminton competitions. At 17, she participated in the 2014 Asian Junior Badminton Championships in Taiwan, where she won a bronze medal in the mixed team event. After graduating from high school, Shida joined Saishunkan Pharmaceutical, officially starting her professional career and representing Japan in various international tournaments.

    2. “Akita Beauty” Alongside Nozomi Sasaki


    The Tohoku region of Japan, particularly Akita, has long been famous for producing beautiful women. The hallmark of an “Akita Beauty” is flawless, translucent skin and well-defined features, with famous Japanese actress Nozomi Sasaki being one of the most well-known examples.

    Similarly, Chiharu Shida possesses fair skin and striking features. She is known for always appearing on the court with perfect makeup that remains flawless even during intense matches, further highlighting her rosy, radiant complexion. Fans have praised her as the epitome of an “Akita Beauty,” with her beauty evident in every high-definition photograph taken during matches.

    3. Resemblance to Mei Nagano – “Tears of a Fairy” Even When Crying


    At the previous Tokyo Olympics, Chiharu Shida and her partner Nami Matsuyama did not qualify for participation. However, in the Paris Olympics, they fought their way to the semifinals but were narrowly defeated by the Chinese team, missing out on a chance to compete for the gold. Shida was seen in tears on the court after the loss, and the photos of her crying quickly sparked discussion online. Fans not only cheered her on for the upcoming bronze medal match but also marveled at her “tears of a fairy.”

    Many online users have noted a striking resemblance between Chiharu Shida and the rising Japanese actress Mei Nagano, who is also known for her “fairy-like” tears. Both Shida and Nagano share fair skin and a sweet smile, and their tears evoke a sense of innocence and beauty.

    4. The “Chiharu Spin” and Adorable Habits – A Cute Contrast that Captivates Fans


    In addition to her striking appearance, Chiharu Shida has a unique set of habits on the court that have endeared her to fans. After making a mistake, she often spins in place and shows a frustrated expression, sometimes stomping her foot, pointing her toes, or playfully flinging her hands, all while flashing her sweet smile. Japanese fans have dubbed this move the “Chiharu Spin,” and despite it being a reaction to a mistake, it’s impossible not to find it endearing.

    A recent photo of her smiling with her tongue out during a match at the Paris Olympics sparked a wave of enthusiastic discussions online, with fans commenting that she “looks as charming and adorable as a first love.” However, when she gets serious, Shida is a formidable player, especially skilled at net interceptions and drop shots from the backcourt. Her smashes are both precise and powerful, with speeds reaching up to 371 km/h, making the contrast between her cute demeanor and fierce play all the more alluring to fans.

    5. A Nogizaka46 Superfan Off the Court
    Off the court, Chiharu Shida is a passionate fan of the Japanese idol group Nogizaka46. She often attends their concerts and proudly carries a limited-edition original keychain of member Mizuki Yamashita on her bag.

    During her trip to Paris for the Olympics, Shida brought along her idol merchandise, which caught the attention of Nogizaka46’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, where they expressed their gratitude with a “Merci” in French. Member Kaede Sato also mentioned that she would be cheering for Shida through the broadcasts. With the support of her idols and their merchandise, Shida successfully secured the bronze medal.

    6. A Potential Shift to the Entertainment Industry After Retirement?
    With Chiharu Shida’s growing popularity and her Instagram account amassing 400,000 followers worldwide, she has reportedly received numerous offers for endorsements and advertisements. Several Japanese entertainment companies and talent agencies have also recognized her potential, hoping she might transition into the entertainment industry, possibly as a sports anchor. In the future, we may see more of Chiharu Shida in advertisements and television programs, and perhaps she will embark on a new career in the entertainment world after her retirement from badminton.

  • Japan Ends with 2 Bronze Medals; Shida/Matsuyama Win Bronze in Their Olympic Debut

    Japan Ends with 2 Bronze Medals; Shida/Matsuyama Win Bronze in Their Olympic Debut

    Chiharu Shida and Nami Matsuyama clinched the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, marking their Olympic debut with a memorable performance. In an interview, Shida revealed that their parents were present at the venue, saying, “We are very happy to finally make them smile.”

    Ranked 4th in the world, Shida and Matsuyama impressed in their first appearance on the Olympic stage. They defeated the Malaysian pair Pearly Tan/Thinaah Muralitharan in straight sets in the women’s doubles bronze medal match, securing a place on the podium. The Japanese badminton team concluded the Olympics with two bronze medals.


    Shida commented after the match, “Our parents were here, and we could hear them cheering for us. We are very happy to finally make them smile. I am also very grateful to my partner Matsuyama.”

    Matsuyama mentioned that they were disappointed after losing in the semifinals. She struggled to manage her emotions and was initially afraid of competing in the bronze medal match. However, once they stepped onto the court, those negative emotions disappeared. “We prepared thoroughly and did everything we could. We are very happy to have won the bronze medal.”

  • No Missteps in the Final Step This Time

    No Missteps in the Final Step This Time

    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.”

  • Young and Brave: Liu/Tan Advance to Finals

    Young and Brave: Liu/Tan Advance to Finals

    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.”

  • Still Feels Like a Dream

    Still Feels Like a Dream

    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.”