Today, Olympic champion and Spanish badminton star Carolina Marin released a video updating fans on her current condition.
The short video shows that Marin is recovering well and is actively preparing for her return.
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On August 4, 2024, the women’s singles semifinals at the Olympics concluded with Marin withdrawing due to injury, allowing He Bingjiao of China to advance to the final. An Se-youngdefeated Mariska 2-1 and will face He Bingjiao for the championship.
Once an Olympic champion and three-time World Champion, Marin displayed an impressive performance today, dominating the first game to win 21-14. In the second game, however, at 5-10, she fell after a jump smash and requested a medical timeout. Returning briefly, she fought on for two more minutes before collapsing at the court’s edge, visibly in pain and pounding the floor in frustration. Coaches and fans cheered her on, but she ultimately decided to withdraw.
Marin had previously undergone knee surgery right before the Tokyo Olympics, missing the event entirely. Later, she required surgery on her other knee, making her semifinals finish at the Paris 2024 Olympics even more impressive.
Many fans remarked on the similarity to the 2016 Rio Olympics, where Li Xuerui also injured her knee in a match against Marin and had to retire. Unlike the tension at that event, today He Bingjiao warmly embraced Marin after the match.
“I’m really happy to be back on the court,” said An Se Young after returning to the 2024 VICTOR Denmark Open, her first match since winning the Olympic gold medal in Paris this summer.
Two months ago, in the final held in the French capital, the Korean star defeated He Bingjiao to claim the championship before temporarily stepping away from the badminton scene.
“I was nervous, but after winning the Olympics, I’m happy to be back,” added the 22-year-old with a smile after defeating Pornpicha Choeikeewong 21-16, 21-8.
“I tried to adapt to the conditions of the first match, understand the situation, and regain my feel on the court. I love stepping onto the badminton court—it’s my happy place. I had a lot of rest after Paris. I needed the break to recover from injuries. While my injuries haven’t completely healed, I’m working on it.”
After missing the 2023 season, An is glad to be competing in Odense.
“Denmark is lovely and clean. I’m happy to be back and play in front of the fans. It’s also great to be back on the tour with my teammates. I missed it, but I had time to be with family and friends, doing things I enjoy, like eating Korean BBQ.”
In the women’s singles semifinal at the Paris Olympics in August, Marin suffered a knee injury after a fall during her match against China’s He Bingjiao. Overcome with emotion, she was seen crying on the court and was ultimately forced to retire from the match.
At 31 years old, Marin is a three-time World Championships gold medalist and the 2016 Rio Olympics gold medalist, currently ranked as the top player in women’s singles.
Three years ago, Marin was a favorite to win gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but was sidelined by major injuries. In early 2019, she tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee, and in May 2021, she partially tore the anterior cruciate ligament and menisci in her left knee, which led to her withdrawal from the Tokyo Olympics.
At the Paris Olympics, Marin was in outstanding form and had the opportunity to reach the finals and win her second Olympic gold medal. However, her injury cut her campaign short.
In her first interview after the Olympics, Marin discussed her injury and her future prospects. “This is the greatest blow of my entire career; I didn’t expect this at all,” said Marin, who was wearing a brace on her right leg. Her initial goal was to return to Spain with the women’s singles gold medal, but fate had other plans. “I didn’t achieve that, but without a doubt, I have gained another kind of gold medal,” referring to the immense support and love from fans worldwide. Spanish Badminton Federation President Alsoumedi even suggested on social media that the International Olympic Committee should award Marin a bronze medal, saying, “She truly deserves it.”
In the interview, Marin expressed deep gratitude towards He Bingjiao, who wore the Spanish badge on the podium during the medal ceremony. He Bingjiao explained her gesture: “…because my opponent (Marin) was injured in the semifinal, I felt heartbroken for her… She is a very excellent athlete, and I hope Marin sees this and wishes her a speedy recovery.”
Marin experienced a similar injury during the 2016 Rio Olympics but struggled to regain peak form after surgery, ultimately leading to a quiet retirement. After undergoing another surgery, the challenges of recovery are intensified due to her previous knee injuries, making retirement a real possibility. She reflected, “I don’t know if I will play again or if I can pick up a badminton racket.”
Although the prospects of a comeback seem bleak, Marin has not given up on returning to the court. She hopes to maintain her privacy during the recovery process and expresses her gratitude to fans around the world for their support.
Shi Yuqi, who made a strong comeback this year by winning the Denmark Open and Australia Open, uses the Yonex Astrox 100ZZ in navy blue. This racket features a 6.3mm Hyper Slim solid core and an ultra-thin frame design, making it the thinnest in Yonex history. It combines the speed attributes of the Astrox 800 with the power of the Astrox 99/88D, offering excellent backcourt attack while remaining lightweight.
The BG80P is an offensive string with similar durability to the BG65 but offers enhanced durability and a softer feel compared to the BG80. Despite its popularity, BG80P is often out of stock due to high demand.
Zhao Junpeng, who had an impressive first half of the year with a runner-up finish at the Indonesia Open and a bronze medal at the World Championships, uses the new 3U version of the ArcSaber 11 PRO. Despite his strings being at 31-33 lbs, he often adds tape to the racket head to increase its offensive power. The BG66UM, with a 0.65mm gauge, was once Yonex’s thinnest string, favored by top players like Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei. Known for its excellent elasticity and sharp hitting sound, BG66UM offers great performance but has a very low durability, often breaking quickly under heavy use.
Li Shifeng also uses the Astrox 100ZZ but prefers the 3U version for its slightly heavier weight. Paired with the 0.65mm BG66UM, this setup provides powerful attacking capabilities.
Lu Guangzu: Yonex Astrox 99 PRO (3U), Yonex BGAB Strings, 30-32 lbs
Lu Guangzu, who secured the runner-up position at the Australia Open, uses the Astrox 99 PRO in 3U. This racket, known for its strong offensive properties, features a tungsten-infused top for enhanced head heaviness and a thinner “EXTRA SLIM SHAFT” for better high-tension performance. The BGAB string, with a 0.61mm gauge for horizontal and 0.67mm for vertical, combines high elasticity with good control but has average durability.
Chen Yufei, who won one gold and seven silver medals this season, uses the new Astrox 77 PRO. This racket features a balanced design with a 76-hole pattern and a slightly stiff shaft, making it user-friendly for most players. The BGXB63, with its 0.63mm gauge, is exceptionally thin, providing a firm hit with excellent elasticity but limited durability.
He Bingjiao: Yonex VTZF2 (4U), Yonex BG66UM Strings, 29-31 lbs
He Bingjiao, who won four titles this year, uses the Yonex VTZF2, known for its head-heavy balance and high difficulty of use. With a 310mm balance point and a stiff shaft, it offers exceptional attacking power but a narrow sweet spot. Paired with the 0.65mm BG66UM and a tension of around 30 lbs, the VTZF2 enhances He Bingjiao’s offensive capabilities.
Wang Zhiyi, who won the Asian Championships early this year, uses the Astrox 100ZZ with the ultra-thin and elastic BGXB63 strings. Despite a strong start, her performance declined in the latter half of the season. Her setup provides excellent feel and control for her play style.
According to the Badminton World Federation (BWF), He Bingjiao has officially submitted her retirement application and will no longer participate in international-level competitions. In the latest world rankings, He Bingjiao’s name has been removed.
Throughout her career, He Bingjiao secured four world championship titles. She contributed to her team’s victories in the Sudirman Cup mixed team championships in 2021 and 2023 and helped secure the Uber Cup women’s team titles in 2020 and 2024. On the Olympic stage, He Bingjiao achieved a fourth-place finish in singles at the Tokyo Olympics and won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics.
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.”
After ten days of intense competition, five Olympic badminton gold medals were awarded at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena in Paris, with the Chinese badminton team (CBA) ultimately securing 2 golds and 3 silvers. Each medal comes with its own story, intertwining joy, growth, and regret for the CBA players.
From the distribution of medals and rankings, it is evident that traditional powerhouses like Indonesia and Japan were not as dominant as in the past, while teams from Thailand and India showed strong potential. Zhang Jun believes that in the next Olympic cycle, the CBA will face more challenges and will provide more opportunities for young players. He hopes the young players will grow quickly, catching up with and surpassing their predecessors.
It is encouraging to see that young CBA players have already made a name for themselves in this Olympics. The women’s doubles pair Liu Shengshu/Tan Ning and the men’s doubles pair Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang, both composed of post-2000s athletes, showed great promise. Liu and Tan defeated strong pairs from Korea and Japan in the knockout stages, while Liang and Wang staged multiple comebacks from deficits in both the group and knockout stages. Although they narrowly missed the gold in the finals, they displayed the spirit of men’s doubles and gained valuable experience. “There will be more finals waiting for us in the future. We’ll be back in the next Olympic final,” Wang Chang said.
Alongside joy and growth, the Paris Olympics also brought some regret for the CBA. Neither of the two men’s singles players reached the semifinals, falling short of expectations. Zhang Jun pointed out that the men’s singles players were not adequately prepared for the difficulties. For example, Shi Yuqi was in good form before the Olympics, defeating several main rivals and winning multiple titles, “but the Olympic stage is different.”
Additionally, in women’s singles, last Olympics champion Chen Yufei was eliminated in the quarterfinals by her teammate He Bingjiao. Zhang Jun expressed regret over her exit, attributing it to excessive pressure that prevented her from performing at her best. “Having experienced the baptism of the Olympic stage, I believe Chen Yufei will come back stronger. I trust she can overcome adverse situations and emotions. People grow gradually; you won’t always succeed, and you will face setbacks and failures. This is all normal.”
The conclusion of the badminton events at the Paris Olympics marks the beginning of preparations for the Los Angeles Olympic cycle. The blend of joy and regret forms the backdrop of daily life. The end signifies the past, and the CBA will carry diverse memories into the next phase.
During the women’s singles badminton medal ceremony at the Paris Olympics, Chinese player He Bingjiao, the silver medalist, took to the podium holding the badge of the Spanish Olympic
In the previous semifinals, Spanish player Carolina Marín had to withdraw from the match due to injury after winning the first game and leading 10-8 in the second game, allowing He Bingjiao to advance to the finals.
He Bingjiao explained her actions at the award ceremony: “Today, I took to the podium with a badge of the Spanish Olympic Committee because my opponent (Marín) was injured in the semifinals. I felt heartbroken about it. I wanted to carry her fighting spirit into the finals because she is an outstanding athlete. I hope Marín sees this and wish her a speedy recovery.”
Subsequently, the Spanish Olympic Committee officially thanked He Bingjiao: “The Olympic spirit has been fully demonstrated! He Bingjiao, who competed against the injured Marín, accepted her silver medal today while holding a Spanish badge to honor Marín. Very thoughtful, thank
Additionally, multiple Spanish media outlets reported on this incident, praising He Bingjiao, saying: “Wonderful, a great gesture!”
From her teenage years, this South Korean badminton player was predicted to one day dominate the circuit, following in the footsteps of Bang Soo-hyun, the gold medalist at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
In recent seasons, the women’s singles category has seen fierce competition, with players like PV Sindhu, former Olympic champion Chen Yufei, former world number one Akane Yamaguchi, Taiwan’s Tai Tzu-ying, and Carolina Marín all vying for dominance.
However, following Monday’s (August 5th) final at the Paris 2024 Olympics, An Se Young may have gained a decisive edge—perhaps for the foreseeable future.
Just turning 22 this February, the reigning world champion An Se Young won the gold medal in her second Olympic appearance, defeating the sixth seed He Bingjiao in straight sets. She was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Chen at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
An Se Young’s condition at the Olympics was far from ideal, with a persistent knee injury and her right leg heavily bandaged.
Despite this, her performance in all five matches at the La Chapelle Arena was nothing short of championship-caliber. She overcame Yamaguchi in the quarterfinals and then ousted bronze medalist Gregoria Mariska Tunjung in the semifinals.
An Se Young’s victory was driven by an iron-willed determination possessed by all great athletes. She ascended the podium with poise.
Unfortunately for her peers, An is just beginning her journey.
“My peak is yet to come,” said An Se Young, who, alongside Bang, is the only woman from her country to win a singles gold medal. “I am still young and have not reached my prime. I believe I can show more as I gain experience.
“Now it is finally over. I am happy because the seven-year wait is over, my dream has come true, and I have the ability to start anew.
“I have dreams, I talk about dreams, I inherit dreams, and this is the moment I realize them. Now I have nothing to fear, which gives me more confidence to move forward.”
An Se Young of the Republic of Korea triumphed over He Bingjiao of the People’s Republic of China to secure the gold medal in the women’s badminton singles final at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena on Monday, 5 August.
Gregoria Mariska Tunjung was awarded the bronze medal, becoming the first Indonesian athlete to win a medal in Paris 2024.
On the evening of August 4th, at the 2024 Paris Olympic badminton tournament, the men’s doubles final and the men’s and women’s singles semifinals took place. Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang fell to Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin, claiming the silver medal. Viktor Axelsen defeated Lakshya Sen to advance to the final once again, while Kunlavut Vitidsarn overcame Lee Zii Jia 2-0 to reach his first Olympic final. An Se-young reversed the match against Gregoria Mariska Tunjung to secure her place in the final, and Carolina Marín withdrew due to injury, allowing He Bingjiao to advance to the final.
In the men’s doubles final, the Chinese pair Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang faced off against the Chinese Taipei pair Lee Yang/Wang Chi-Lin. The match began with the Chinese Taipei team taking the lead, reaching the mid-game interval first. After the break, Liang and Wang adjusted quickly, equalizing the score. However, after a brief tussle, the Chinese Taipei pair regained the lead and won the first game 21-17. In the second game, Liang and Wang fell behind early but fought hard to catch up. Despite several errors, they never gave up, eventually overturning the deficit to win 21-18. The match went to a decisive game where both pairs were neck and neck. In the final moments, Liang and Wang could not overcome their opponents, losing 19-21 and thus earning the silver medal, while Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin successfully defended their Olympic men’s doubles title.
In the previous round, Denmark’s Astrup/Anders and Malaysia’s Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik were defeated by Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang and Lee Yang/Wang Chi-Lin, respectively, setting up the bronze medal match in the Paris Olympic men’s doubles event. Both pairs quickly got into the game, with intense competition from the start. The Danish pair aggressively controlled the net, leading 11-8 at the mid-game interval. After the break, they maintained their rhythm and won the first game 21-16. In the second game, the Danish pair continued their dominance, leading 20-16, but the Malaysian pair staged a comeback, winning six consecutive points to take the game. The final game saw a change in momentum, with the Malaysian pair leading after the early exchanges. The Danish pair fought back, bringing the score to 19-19. In the crucial moments, the Malaysian pair held their nerve to win 21-19, securing the bronze medal, their second Olympic men’s doubles bronze.
In men’s singles, Viktor Axelsen triumphed over Lakshya Sen with a score of 22-20, 21-14, advancing to the final for the second consecutive Olympics, marking his fourth straight victory against Sen. He will face Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the final, who defeated Lee Zii Jia 21-14, 21-15, marking his second consecutive win against Lee and his first Olympic final appearance.
In women’s singles, Carolina Marín’s withdrawal allowed He Bingjiao to advance to the final, securing her second consecutive victory against Marín. She will face An Se-young, who reversed her match against Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, winning 11-21, 21-13, 21-16 to achieve her ninth consecutive victory against Tunjung. Both players are making their first appearance in an Olympic final.
Fans hope that He Bingjiao will maintain her current form.
On August 3,the final quarterfinal match of the 2024 Paris Olympic women’s singles took place. The 6th seed and world No. 9, He Bingjiao, delivered an outstanding performance, winning in straight sets 2-0 (21-16, 21-17) against the world No. 2, 2nd seed, and Olympic champion Chen Yufei, advancing to the women’s singles semifinals. In the semifinals, He Bingjiao will face the three-time world champion and Spanish star, Carolina Marin.
Netizen comments:
“I don’t want to see Los Angeles mentioned. Chen Yufei wanting to play is great, but if she doesn’t want to, she shouldn’t force herself. With recurring back and foot injuries and contracting COVID three times in one cycle, not to mention having had injections earlier this year, many times it was just to keep the national team women’s singles afloat. Her professional career and life should be her own choice.”
“Watching this match, Chen Yufei’s loss wasn’t unfair; He Bingjiao played exceptionally well! I hope He Bingjiao continues to maintain this form. She is now the only Chinese women’s singles player left! Let’s fight for the semifinals! It’s all our own players, so whoever wins is fine.”
“From the 2019 Sudirman Cup to winning the All England, Year-End Finals, World Championships, and Olympic gold, saying today’s result isn’t disappointing is impossible. You’ve done well in this cycle, Chen Yufei. You are truly amazing. I hope you can play for yourself in the remaining time.”
“From 2018 to 2024, I haven’t watched every one of your matches, like a pseudo-fan. From writing about you in exam essays to integrating my love for you into my passion for badminton, you’ve become a bright light in my life. During the Tokyo Games, without a phone to get updates, I learned about your matches from others. When you won and kissed the court you love, I was deeply moved and excited for a long time, because your hard work finally paid off.”
“As you started new competitions and a new Olympic cycle, you faced doubts and declines in performance. But in competitive sports, there are wins and losses, and no one is an absolute winner. Yet, you overcame these setbacks, starting a new version of yourself. You have walked a difficult path and have been very tired and struggling. Wipe your sweat and rest well. Regardless of this result, it is the result of your hard work. The path of being the top seed for two cycles is tough, but you never gave up. You’ve done well for everyone. I hope you stay safe and healthy, enjoy the court you love, and fight for yourself. An end is a new beginning, but not your end. Keep going, Chen Yufei. See you in Los Angeles.”
