After a week of stellar performances, Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen earned a well-deserved silver medal at the CLASH ROYALE Arctic Open 2024, powered by YONEX.
As the last European representatives in the tournament, the Danish pair faced Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin from Malaysia in a gripping final. The Malaysians had an impressive run, knocking out both fourth seeds Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto, as well as top seeds Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang to secure their spot in the final.
Astrup and Rasmussen got off to a strong start, winning the first game, but Goh and Nur bounced back, finding their form to take the final in three thrilling games (15-21, 21-15, 21-19).
Goh Tze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani triumphed at the 2024 Arctic Open in Vantaa, Finland, becoming one of the rare men’s doubles pairs to complete the BWF World Tour Series.
This accomplishment marks victories across the BWF World Tour Super 300, 500, 750, and 1000 tournaments—a feat that not all top men’s doubles pairs have achieved.
In the Arctic Open (Super 500) final, they defeated top seeds Kim Astrup and Anders Rasmussen from Denmark, matching the record set by Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian and Rian Ardianto.
The Malaysian pair has already won the 2022 German Open (Super 300), 2023 US Open (Super 300), 2024 Japan Open (Super 750), and 2024 China Open (Super 1000).
In the 2024 Arctic Open final at Vantaa Energia Arena, Fei-Din overcame a 15-21 first game loss to beat the Danish pair 21-15, 21-19.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s hopes for a second title at the Arctic Open were dashed when Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah failed to defeat top seeds Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning from China.
The Chinese duo, who had already claimed titles at the Malaysia Open, Indonesia Masters, and Japan Open earlier this year, displayed great composure in the final, winning 21-12 and 21-17 in just under an hour.
China secured a second title in the mixed doubles event with another victory by top seeds Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping.
Ranked No. 3 in the world, Feng/Huang had to battle hard for their victory against fellow Chinese pair Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin, with the intense match lasting over an hour.
Feng/Huang won the first game 21-18 but suffered a 6-21 loss in the second. However, they bounced back to take the third game 21-15, securing the title in front of the Finnish crowd.
Later, second seed Han Yue defeated Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon in the women’s singles final, giving China a third title in Finland.
The defending champion easily won 21-10, 21-13, claiming her title defense in just 39 minutes.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s All England champion Jonatan Christie fell short in the men’s singles final against Chou Tien Chen from Chinese Taipei, ending his hopes of another BWF World Tour title.
Seventh seed Chou defeated fifth seed Jonatan 21-18, 21-17, securing his second BWF World Tour title of the year.
China Secures 2 Titles and 3 Runner-Ups at the Hong Kong Open
On the evening of September 15, the 2024 China Hong Kong Badminton Open concluded with China’s national team, fielding a partial main lineup, claiming two championships and three runner-up finishes. On September 17, the Chinese team will head to Changzhou, Jiangsu, to compete in the China Open, one of the highest-level and richest prize money events in the BWF World Tour.
Lei Lanxi Falls Short Against Viktor Axelsen in Men’s Singles Final
In the men’s singles final, Chinese player Lei Lanxi, who reached his first BWF Super 500 final, faced off against Denmark’s two-time Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen. The gap in skill between the two was evident, with Lei losing 9-21, 12-21, missing out on his first major tour title. Despite the defeat, Lei’s performance at the Hong Kong Open was commendable, especially his upset victory over Indonesian star Jonatan Christie in the semifinals.
Interestingly, Lei Lanxi’s first-round opponent at the upcoming China Open will be none other than Viktor Axelsen, the No. 2 seed. This means the two will clash twice in three days, and given the current circumstances, Lei will find it challenging to get past Axelsen.
Han Yue Wins Women’s Singles Title, Ending 11-Month Drought
In the women’s singles final, China’s Han Yue took on Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani. Han won in straight sets, 21-18, 21-7, to secure her title and end an 11-month championship drought. Han Yue will face teammate Gao Fangjie in the first round of the China Open.
Jiang Zhenbang/Wei Yaxin Claim Mixed Doubles Title
China’s second title came in the mixed doubles event, where Jiang Zhenbang/Wei Yaxin defeated their compatriots Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping 2-0. As the third-ranked Chinese mixed doubles team, they upset the second-ranked team to claim the victory. In next week’s China Open, Jiang and Wei will face pairs from Malaysia and Chinese Taipei in the first round.
Liu Shengshu/Tan Ning Disappoint in Women’s Doubles Final
In the women’s doubles final at the Hong Kong Open, Paris Olympic silver medalists Liu Shengshu/Tan Ning struggled and lost 0-2 to Malaysia’s Chen Tang Jie/Thinaah Muralitharan. The “Sheng-Tan” pair will have a bye in the first round of the China Open and will begin their campaign in the second round.
Men’s Doubles Remains China’s Weakest Event
Men’s doubles was the only event where no Chinese player made it to the final at the Hong Kong Open, highlighting China’s struggles in this category. However, there is hope as Olympic silver medalists and China’s top men’s doubles pair, Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang, will finally return to action after a series of post-Olympic activities and rest. As defending champions, they are the top seeds in the China Open and will face France’s Popov brothers in the first round.
Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin achieved an unexpected victory in the Mixed Doubles final at the 2024 Hong Kong Open, held at the Hong Kong Coliseum. They defeated the top seeds Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping in a tight match, winning 21-17, 21-19 to claim their fourth BWF World Tour title this year.
This win marks Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin‘s second Super500 title of the year, following their earlier triumph at the Australian Open in June. They had also won the Indonesia Open (Super1000) and Japan Open (Super750) earlier in the season.
In other results, Han Yue brought another title for China by winning the Women’s Singles. She defeated Putri Kusuma Wardani of Indonesia with scores of 21-18, 21-7 in just 35 minutes. Han Yue, the third seed and world No. 7, faced minimal resistance in the final.
Indonesia faced setbacks in both finals, including the Men’s Doubles where Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani lost to South Korea’s Kang Min-hyuk and Seo Seung-jae. The Korean duo, currently ranked No. 5 in the world, redeemed themselves after their loss at the Korea Open by securing their second BWF World Tour title of the year with a 21-13, 21-17 win.
In the Women’s Doubles, Malaysia’s Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah triumphed over the world No. 3 pair Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning, winning 21-14, 21-14 to earn their third BWF World Tour title.
Finally, Olympic champion and world No. 2 Viktor Axelsen clinched the Men’s Singles title by defeating Lei Lan Xi of China 21-9, 21-12. This victory marks Axelsen‘s second BWF World Tour title this year, following his win at the Malaysia Masters.
Mixed doubles pair Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin impressed in the Hong Kong Open, reaching the quarter-finals of a World Tour Super 500 event for the first time. They hope to build on this momentum.
Since being paired last November, Pang Ron-Su Yin had struggled in higher-tier tournaments, but they finally made a breakthrough yesterday at the Hong Kong Coliseum in Kowloon, defeating Taiwan’s Lin Bing-wei-Lin Chih-chun 21-14, 21-15.
A day earlier, the world No. 40 pair stunned Singapore’s world No. 15 Terry Hee-Jessica Tan in the opening match.
Before this year, Pang Ron-Su Yin only made it past the early rounds once in the Super 300 Orleans Masters, where they reached the semi-finals. Pang Ron expressed his satisfaction with their performance in Hong Kong, saying that he believes they are heading in the right direction.
“Su Yin and I controlled the game better today (yesterday) compared to the first round,” Pang Ron said. “We tried to minimize mistakes, and eventually, things improved for us. This has boosted our confidence. Of course, we still have a lot to work on, but at least we know we’re on the right path. Our partnership is getting stronger day by day.”
However, Pang Ron-Su Yin now face a tough challenge in the quarter-finals today against China’s top seeds Feng Yanzhe-Huang Dongping.
Meanwhile, Korean Open champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei have also advanced to the quarter-finals. Tang Jie-Ee Wei won the first game 21-14 and led 4-1 in the second against home pair Reginald Lee-Ng Tsz Yau when the latter retired due to injury.
The world No. 9 Malaysians will next face China’s world No. 49 Guo Xinwa-Chen Fanghui for a place in the semi-finals.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei had defeated Guo Xinwa and his former partner Li Qian in the Korean Open final two weeks ago.
In men’s singles, Leong Jun Hao narrowly missed an opportunity as he lost 14-21, 21-15, 22-24 to Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu. The world No. 29 made a strong comeback to win the second game after dropping the first to the world No. 15, but could not hold on despite leading 12-5 in the decider and squandering two match points at 20-19 and 21-20.
Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong have switched to the PRO versions of their rackets. Zheng Siwei uses the ArcSaber 11 PRO, which features a dark red and gray color scheme. It has 8 grommet holes at the top of the frame, making it more durable for high tension. The racket is slightly head-heavy and has a medium-stiff shaft, making it suitable for attacking play. The Yonex BGAB strings include the 0.61mm BGAS horizontal strings, which offer excellent elasticity but average durability, and the Aerobite vertical strings with a 0.67mm gauge, providing great control with a polyurethane coating for increased grip on the shuttlecock. The combination of the ArcSaber 11 PRO and BGAB strings at 30 lbs delivers a powerful hitting sound.
Huang Yaqiong uses the new Astrox 77 PRO, featuring a 76-hole design, box-shaped frame, slightly stiff shaft, and a 6.8mm diameter, providing a well-rounded and easy-to-use racket for most players. Its built-in attacking capabilities and solid feel make it the most balanced racket in the Astrox PRO series. The BGXB63 strings, at 0.63mm, are very thin, offering a firm hit and excellent elasticity, though they are less durable and quite expensive.
Huang Dongping and Feng Yanzhe will be forming a new fixed pair in upcoming matches. Feng Yanzhe uses the 100ZZ, which has a 6.3mm Hyper Slim solid core and an ultra-thin frame, making it one of the thinnest rackets Yonex has ever produced. Despite its lightweight, it offers significant backcourt power. With many players, including Anders Antonsen and Shi Yuqi, using the 100ZZ, its price has been rising.
Huang Dongping uses the new ArcSaber 7 PRO, known for its bright yellow color. It has a light head, a slightly stiff shaft, and excellent elasticity, similar to the speed-focused Astrox 800. The ArcSaber 7 PRO is stable and fast, especially for quick exchanges in doubles. Paired with the 0.65mm
Wang Chang: Yonex Astrox 88S PRO (4U), Yonex BG80 Strings, 30-32 lbs
Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang have been one of the biggest highlights in China’s men’s doubles this year, rising from world ranking 424 to win the Japan Open. Liang Weikeng uses the Astrox 100ZZ with BG80 strings at 33 lbs, delivering extremely powerful smashes. Wang Chang uses the Astrox 88S PRO, which offers fast play in the front and mid-court, but its 68-hole design provides a lower sweet spot, making it less forgiving and less precise for amateur players.
Both players use the classic BG80 strings, which are popular among high-tension players. With a gauge of 0.68mm, BG80 strings strike a balance between durability and elasticity. The Vectran fibers in the core and the rough oval nylon coating enhance tension retention, provide a firm feel, and offer excellent performance in powerful smashes.
China’s new men’s doubles pair, Liu Yuchen and Ou Xuanyi, recently won the BWF World Tour Finals, securing their position as top players. Both use the Astrox 100ZZ, highlighting the racket’s popularity among players. They also use the BGXB63 strings, which are very thin at 0.63mm, offering a firm feel and excellent elasticity.
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 the fifth day of the Olympic badminton competition, we finally faced the reluctant “farewell.” Yesterday’s matches saw Liu Yuchen/Ou Xuanyi fight to the end but still fail to advance, ending their journey at the group stage. Following that, China’s mixed doubles team had an unfortunate internal clash, with Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping exiting in the quarterfinals, bidding farewell to the Olympic stage. Both pairs are new combinations formed during the Paris cycle, achieving notable success and facing ups and downs. On the Olympic stage, they gave their all and now can only accept the results and leave the court with a smile.
From Tokyo to Paris, Huang Dongping and Liu Yuchen, an Olympic champion and an Olympic runner-up respectively, started anew with new partners, fighting hard for the Olympics. As core players, both Huang and Liu had to lead their partners and consider many factors. As new partners, the “post-00s” Feng Yanzhe and the “late bloomer” Ou Xuanyi had to push themselves to grow rapidly.
Throughout this journey, they faced many setbacks and had many shining moments. “Tuou” reached the finals in their debut, won the 1000 series and the World Tour Finals in their first year, and turned the tide in the Sudirman Cup. However, during the Olympic qualification tournaments, they often found themselves in precarious situations with declining form, injuries, and age taking their toll. Ou Xuanyi, who had rarely participated in major tournaments before partnering with Liu Yuchen, had to overcome psychological barriers, while Liu Yuchen’s hip, diagnosed as almost like that of an elderly person, severely affected his movement.
Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping, a pair confirmed less than two years before the Olympics, showed remarkable progress. Huang Dongping evolved from being guided by Wang Yilyu to guiding young Feng, constantly seeking ways to communicate and manage emotions, increasingly displaying her maturity as a senior. Feng Yanzhe, from a young player to the partner of an Olympic champion, endured immense pressure and stress over the past year but never vented to anyone, always converting pressure into motivation for faster growth. He only held himself accountable.
Yesterday’s men’s doubles match was tragic. Pre-match calculations showed that “Tuou” needed to win 2-0 against “Antelopes” to advance; if they won 2-1, they needed the “Babysitters” to beat the Danish pair; if they lost, they would be out. “Tuou” took the first game 21-17, igniting hope. However, the situation turned sharply in the second game, which they lost 17-21. Meanwhile, the Danish pair had already won the first game and clinched the second at 20-19 by scoring three consecutive points, extinguishing “Tuou’s” hopes.
At that moment, “Tuou’s” fate was sealed; even winning the current match would not help them advance. Liu Yuchen admitted that it was hard for him to handle and very impactful. However, after processing his emotions, he decided that since it was their last match, they should give it their all. Although the final score was 22-24, Liu and Ou fought like warriors, giving their all on the battlefield.
The evening’s mixed doubles internal battle was heartbreaking; both sides were dear. Ultimately, “Yaqing” won 2-0, ending the “Phoenix” pair’s Paris Olympic journey. Facing Feng’s tearful thanks and apologies, Dongping showed her maturity and magnanimity as a senior: “Even if we lost, I feel fulfilled. This was about what I expected before we came. Although we hoped for better, I think we have done all we could. The bravest thing I did this cycle was choosing to partner with young Feng. Without Feng, there wouldn’t be today’s Huang Dongping.”
Yesterday, we said goodbye to these two pairs, both of which fought from Tokyo to Paris as “old-new” combinations. Regrets are common, and perfection is rare. The charm and cruelty of competitive sports lie in our tendency to judge heroes by their results, often overlooking the journey from the start. The journey is beautiful, the present is real, and the future remains hopeful.
Liu Yuchen bluntly said, “I no longer have to take (painkillers).”
Huang Dongping said, “I haven’t said I’m retiring yet. This won’t be the end.”
Farewell to the Paris Olympic stage, but the future of everyone surely remains bright.
In a dramatic turn of events, China’s second seeds, Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping, faced an unexpected challenge in their quest for the top spot in the mixed doubles group stage. The defending champions Huang Dongping and her partner Feng Yanzhe were defeated by Chen Tangjie/Du Yuwei in a three-set battle, with scores of 17-21, 21-15, 21-16.
Despite this loss not endangering their quarterfinal hopes, Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping’s defeat means they could potentially face their compatriots Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong before the finals. The quarterfinal draw will be determined after the conclusion of the group stage.
After their victory, Du was seen excitedly embracing Chen.
Chen/Du played an energetic match, maintaining their aggressive approach and constantly putting pressure on their opponents. While Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping started well, they seemed to falter under the relentless attack from their opponents. Surprisingly, the Chinese duo struggled to maintain their intensity against the Malaysian team.
“They were very determined and kept challenging us,” Huang said. “But this is not our end because we have made it to the quarterfinals, so we need to look ahead.”
Before this match, the Malaysian team knew they had previously defeated the Chinese team in three matches — during the Thailand Open in May of the previous year. In the subsequent two matches, they failed to score a point against the Chinese team.
“This is when we release the pressure,” Chen said. “The most important thing is that we managed to implement our strategy and manage ourselves well. We believe in ourselves and communicate well with each other.”
Meanwhile, in Group A, top seeds Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong secured their third consecutive victory with a 21-13, 21-14 win over Kim Won-ho/Jeong Na-eun, claiming the top spot in their group. Despite the loss, Kim Won-ho/Jeong Na-eun advanced to the quarterfinals alongside Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong, eventually finishing second, ahead of Tom Giquel/Delrue and Rinoff Rivaldi/Pita Hanningtia S. Mentari.
Opti Withdraws Due to Injury
Soren Opti from Suriname had to withdraw from his match against Giovanni Totti of Italy in Group A due to a torn right knee ligament.
In the second match, Totti led 4-1 when Opti, suffering from the injury, was forced to leave the court.
Huang Dongping (黄东萍), female, born on 30 April 1995 in Fujian, is a Chinese badminton player and Olympic champion.
In 2003, at the age of 8, Huang Dongping entered the badminton class of Fujian Nan’an Physical Education School to receive training, and at the end of 2004, Huang Dongping was sent by the school to the Fujian Provincial Gymnastics School. 2011, she was selected by the national team coach, Tang Xianhu, to join the second team of the China National Badminton Team, playing mainly in the women’s doubles and mixed doubles.
In 2012, Huang Dongping represented the national team at the Asian Junior Badminton Championships in Gimcheon, South Korea, winning the second place in the mixed doubles competition with Wang Yilu.
On 16 December 2018, at the 2018 World Tour Finals in Guangzhou, China’s Wang Yilu/Huang Dongping won the Finals mixed doubles title with a 2:1 victory over China’s Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong in the mixed doubles final.
On 26 October 2019, the combination of Wang Yilu/Huang Dongping won the mixed doubles final of the badminton event at the 2019 World Military Games.
In 2021, Huang Dongping was selected as an athlete in the badminton event of the Chinese Sports Delegation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.On 30 July, Wang Yilu/Huang Dongping won the gold medal in the mixed doubles badminton final at the Tokyo Olympics.
In September 2021, Wang Yilu/Huang Dongping won the gold medal in the mixed doubles badminton event at the 14th Games of the People’s Republic of China.
On 17 October 2021, the Chinese team of Huang Dongping and Chen Yufei, Chen Qingchen, Jia Yifan, He Bingjiao and Li Wenmei won the Uber Cup Badminton Team Final with a 3-1 comeback victory over Japan.
