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.
The 2024 China Badminton Open will kick off on September 17, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, in Changzhou, Jiangsu. From this event onwards, the BWF will officially increase the world ranking points for the tournament, aligning them with the China Open’s Super 1000 status. The prize pool for the China Open is a staggering $2 million, far exceeding other tournaments of the same level. What excites Chinese fans even more is that Team China will be fielding most of its main players, including the highly popular Olympic men’s doubles silver medalists, Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang, who will return to the court after missing three post-Olympic events. China will also bring its strongest team across all categories.
This year’s China Badminton Open will be the first event under the BWF’s revamped points system. The new system aims to ensure a fairer relationship between prize money and ranking points for Super 1000 events. The four top-tier tournaments in the BWF World Tour include the Malaysia Open in January, the All England Open in March, the Indonesia Open in June, and the China Badminton Open in September. The BWF’s minimum prize money for Super 1000 tournaments is set at $1.3 million, but the China Open’s prize pool is a whopping $2 million, exceeding the standard by $700,000. This makes it the second highest-paying badminton tour event in the world, behind only the BWF World Tour Finals, which offers $2.5 million. The singles champion at the China Open will receive $140,000, while the doubles champions will earn $148,000, making it a highly lucrative competition.
In terms of ranking points, under the new system, the China Open champions will earn 13,500 points (up from 12,000), while runners-up will receive 11,500 points (up from 10,200). Semifinalists will get 9,500 points (up from 8,400), and quarterfinalists will earn 7,400 points (up from 6,600). This means that players who reach the semifinals at the China Open will accumulate more points than the champions of Super 500 events (9,200 points) and the runners-up of Super 750 tournaments (9,350 points). Even reaching the quarterfinals at the China Open will grant players more points than winning a Super 300 event (7,000 points), making this event highly attractive for players.
The China Open will also mark the first time Team China competes with a full squad following the Paris Olympics. As the host nation, with high ranking points and a significant prize pool, it’s a must-attend event for China’s top players. Originally scheduled to compete in the Hong Kong Open, men’s singles stars Shi Yuqi and Li Shifeng have withdrawn to focus on the China Open. Men’s doubles duo and Olympic silver medalists Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang will also make their comeback at the China Open after a series of off-court activities. Their participation is sure to draw significant attention from fans, given their soaring popularity after the Paris Olympics.
Paris Olympic mixed doubles champions Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong will headline the mixed doubles competition, while China’s No. 2 women’s doubles pair Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning will join forces once again. Newly crowned Olympic women’s doubles champion Jia Yifan will pair with Zheng Yu in this tournament.
Following the conclusion of the Paris Olympics, the badminton world has now entered the Los Angeles cycle, with the Japan Open and Korea Open held successively. Although many of the stars who participated in the Paris Olympics were absent from these events, there were still many highlights. In this new cycle, young players have stepped onto the stage and begun showcasing their talents. The Chinese badminton team also used these two tournaments to experiment with new doubles pairings and provide young players with opportunities to gain experience.
At the Japan Open, the Chinese team won the women’s doubles and mixed doubles titles. In the Los Angeles cycle, China still boasts strong pairings in these two events. Olympic women’s doubles silver medalists, Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning, continued their strong form from Paris. As the second seeds, they advanced to the finals after defeating Malaysia’s top pair Chen Tang Jie and Thinaah Muralitharan, as well as Chinese teammates Jia Yifan and Li Wenmei in the quarterfinals. In the final, they faced top-seeded Korean duo Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee. The “Sheng-Tan” pair triumphed 21-18, 22-20, defeating their opponents again after a quarterfinal victory at the Olympics, securing their third title of the season. With their experience at the Olympics, the duo has become more mature and composed when facing difficult situations. Born in 2004 and 2003, respectively, Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning have not only maintained their aggressive playing style but have also developed greater synergy. In the Los Angeles cycle, they are expected to become the leaders of Chinese women’s doubles.
In mixed doubles, the “post-2000s” pairing of Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin, already ranked fifth in the world during the Paris cycle, missed out on the Paris Olympics due to the strong competition from Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong and Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping. However, in the Los Angeles cycle, they have naturally become the new hope for Chinese mixed doubles. At the Japan Open final, they comfortably defeated Hong Kong’s Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet 21-12, 21-12, securing their third World Tour title of the year. Notably, with this victory, their world ranking is set to rise to third, and the Chinese mixed doubles team now occupies the top three spots in the latest world rankings released this week.
In addition to Liu Shengshu/Tan Ning and Jiang Zhenbang/Wei Yaxin, many young players also made appearances in these two tournaments. In women’s doubles, Olympic champion Jia Yifan partnered with Li Wenmei at the Japan Open. Newly formed pairings, Kong Xianying/Zhang Shuxian, and Li Yijing/Luo Xumin, also competed at both the Japan and Korea Opens. In men’s doubles, post-2000s pairings such as Xie Haonan/Zeng Weihuan, Chen Boyang/Liu Yi, as well as newcomers Huang Di/Zhou Haodong, made their debut at the Korea Open. Besides Jiang Zhenbang/Wei Yaxin, young mixed doubles teams like Cheng Xing/Zhang Chi, Guo Xinwa/Li Xi, and Zhou Zhihong/Yang Jiayi also tested their skills through match play, with hopes of developing better chemistry and deepening the talent pool for Chinese mixed doubles in the new cycle.
In singles, the Chinese team has yet to see any standout newcomers in these two tournaments. However, the men’s singles scene in the global badminton world has witnessed a youth storm. 19-year-old French player Christo Popov Lanier emerged as the biggest dark horse at the Japan Open, defeating top players like sixth-seed Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia, Indonesia’s Shesar Hiren Rhustavito, Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto, and China’s top player Shi Yuqi to reach the final. In the final, Lanier faced Chou Tien-chen of Chinese Taipei, winning 21-17, 22-20 to claim the title, making him the biggest surprise of the first tournament in the new cycle.
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.
When asked if she misses Chen Qingchen, Jia Yifan smiled and said, “I message her every day.”
Chen Qingchen is Jia Yifan’s women’s doubles partner, and they have been playing together for ten years. Just two weeks ago, they won an Olympic gold medal together.
At the first BWF World Tour event after the 2024 Paris Olympics, Jia Yifan, paired with her new partner Li Wenmei, advanced to the semifinals of the Japan Open.
Jia Yifan stated, “We are starting from zero. After the Olympics, Li Wenmei and I didn’t have much time to practice, so we haven’t tried anything new. We just want to see how we can best work together. Now, our goal is to give our all and enjoy every match.”
At this Japan Open, Indonesian pairs Karnando/Maulana and Fikri/Martin have also formed new teams and have both reached the semifinals. Karnando has set his sights on the next Olympics.
“Although it might be a bit early to discuss, our goal is to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This time, we hope to give our best and win this tournament,” Karnando said.
“We’re satisfied with our performance so far. I’ve teamed up with Fikri for six years, and now I’m just starting with Karnando, so it feels fresh. This is also a good way for us to keep moving forward,” said Maulana.
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.”
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.
On August 3, at the Paris Olympics, Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan won the women’s doubles badminton final, defeating their teammates Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning with scores of 22-20 and 21-15. This victory follows their silver medal from the previous Olympics and marks a historic gold medal in Paris. In the first game, Chen and Jia made a remarkable comeback from 16-20 to 22-20. This is the first time in 20 years, since the 2004 Athens Olympics, that the Chinese team has secured both gold and silver in women’s doubles.
With this victory, Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan have completed the Grand Slam in women’s doubles badminton. In the Tokyo Olympics, they lost to the Indonesian pair Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu in the final, finishing as runners-up. After three years of hard work, the “Fanchen” duo finally achieved their most precious gold medal in Paris.
Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan, along with Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning, gave exclusive interviews after the match.
Jia Yifan revealed that before heading to the Paris Olympics, she had a high fever for four days and was diagnosed with pneumonia. She admitted to feeling anxious and helpless during the week she was hospitalized but credited Chen Qingchen’s unwavering belief and support for helping her through. “Going into the final, I felt more composed. I would have been happy with a second place because it would have still been a hard-earned achievement. This time, the mood was calmer compared to the previous final.”
Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan have been partners since 2014, marking a decade-long journey together. During the Paris Olympic cycle, they won gold medals at the World Championships in 2021, 2022, and 2023, culminating in their 2024 Olympic gold. Chen joked, “Winning a championship takes ten years,” to which Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning, standing beside them, were taken aback. The “Fanchen” duo quickly added, “But it will be different for you two. You don’t need ten years!”
Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning reached the final in their Olympic debut, securing a silver medal with a promising future ahead. Liu Shengshu remarked, “The Paris Olympics felt like a dream. I look forward to the next cycle!”
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.”
