Fans naturally see Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin as a single unit. On one hand, they burst onto the scene with dazzling talent, while on the other, their lightning speed on the court has captivated everyone’s attention.
Standing at 1.84 meters and 1.74 meters respectively, Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin possess a unique charm, characterized by their quirky, contrasting personalities typical of Gen Z. This has even earned them a playful nickname, the “Pickled Duck Duo.”
Perhaps it’s fate, but Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin embody a harmonious yet contradictory blend of qualities. Both from southern China, Jiang hails from Guilin in Guangxi, while Wei is a proud Hunan native. On the court, the slender Jiang is swift in the mid-to-back court, his aggressive attacks intimidating opponents, while Wei, with her fierce net play, is a thorn in every rival’s side. Despite their contrasting personalities, Jiang, though seemingly serious, is known as an extrovert, while Wei, outspoken as she may be, is more introverted. This dynamic is evident in Jiang’s clever, playful gaze and Wei’s earnest, focused demeanor.
In just seven months, from their debut as a new national team pair in October 2022 to May 2023, Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin clinched five individual titles, one team title, and three runner-up finishes across 12 tournaments, swiftly reaching the top ten in world rankings. Their meteoric rise has reinvigorated the mixed doubles category and boosted their confidence as they continue to climb higher.
Following this breakthrough, Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin entered the Paris Olympic points race. The intensity and frequent tournaments brought challenges, leading to some performance fluctuations. During the 22-tournament points race, they secured one title, four runner-up finishes, and stood on the World Championships podium for the first time with a bronze medal. They encountered challenges familiar to any rookie pair, yet they have gradually developed the resilience to tackle obstacles head-on. Now, they focus more on refining each step of their journey rather than fixating solely on results. Having endured the points race, their world ranking climbed into the top five. Although they missed the Paris Olympics due to Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong and Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping ranking above them, they remained undaunted. Instead, they entered the season’s second half with renewed vigor, reaching six finals out of nine tournaments and claiming four titles and two runner-up finishes.
From a results perspective, Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin have achieved impressive milestones. In just two years, they ascended from a fresh pairing to a world-ranking in the top three. In that time, they’ve claimed titles at every level of the World Tour: 100, 300, 500, 750, and even 1000. However, with even greater aspirations, they have taken a steady, gradual approach to build strength. As Jiang states, “Our first goal in this new cycle is to achieve a world championship.”
Like any doubles partners, Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin have experienced both the initial sweetness of pairing and the friction that can arise when facing challenges. Wei Yaxin reflects on their relationship: “At first, we were too self-centered and didn’t understand each other, but now we’re more mature and willing to listen.”
Their distinctly different backgrounds and personalities have only strengthened their resolve, allowing them to draw energy from their shared ambition despite their occasional clashes.
On Becoming Elite Athletes
This story about Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin has been in the making for some time, eagerly anticipated by both the athletes and our editorial team. During the 2023 China Open, we sat around discussing their experiences in their first year of partnership. Back then, the two Gen Z stars were excitedly exploring the possibilities of their new ranking. Wei Yaxin gave us a glimpse of Jiang’s lighter side, hidden beneath his calm exterior—a playful guy who carries a golden abacus and a small toy turtle, Ollomilla, which hadn’t yet become internet-famous.
A year later, they finally made it onto a magazine cover, photographed together in Changzhou. Both casually dressed in light-colored T-shirts and jeans, they stood among the lush greenery, with warm sunlight dappling their youthful faces. Wei Yaxin, a natural in front of the camera, radiates an effortless ease, while Jiang Zhenbang, ever the extrovert, reveals a subtle contrast in his expression.
Now, they’ve been on this journey together for two years. From new faces on the tour to seasoned travelers, Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin have found a sense of familiarity and trust amid the challenges of constant travel and competition. For them, every match, every experience has been a learning opportunity. What once seemed overwhelming has taught them to value what they’ve achieved and savor each moment.
One year after our first interview, and following the Denmark Open, we exchanged thoughts again, reflecting on their personal growth. As they finished the European tour in late October, they prepared to return to China for a brief separation, each training with their provincial teams in preparation for the 2024 National Badminton Team Championships in Fuzhou. Driven by their goals, Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin embark on yet another journey. In their own words, “We must remain analytical, communicate well, and support each other, always aiming to meet the highest standards as elite athletes.”
From Parallel Paths to Partners
In their youth, Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin were like two parallel lines, with hardly any intersection.
Jiang Zhenbang was born on May 28, 2001, in Guilin and was selected at 11 to train at the Shanghai Sports School. In 2018, he joined the Chinese national second team, and in 2021, he joined the first team, specializing in mixed doubles. Wei Yaxin, born on April 18, 2000, in Changsha, made her way into the national second team through her performance in women’s singles. Their paths first crossed at the 2020 National Championships in Baoji.
With their growing camaraderie and innate synergy, they quickly became a formidable duo. Jiang Zhenbang remarked, “We’re perfectly matched in terms of speed and share an aggressive playing style.”
Crisis as Opportunity
In early 2023, Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin helped China clinch the Asian Mixed Team Championships, drawing widespread attention to this young pair. Their momentum grew as they won the Ruichang Masters, Swiss Open, and Asian Championships. But soon, they faced the inevitable challenges of competitive sports.
Overcoming these setbacks required resilience and self-confidence. Despite the ups and downs, they never lost sight of their goal to improve and evolve as a team. They understood that every experience, positive or negative, contributed to their growth, both individually and as a pair.
At the Paris La Chapelle Sports Hall, they lost in three sets to their teammates, Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping. Then, just a week later, they stepped onto the All England stage for the first time, still unfamiliar with the atmosphere of the Birmingham arena. They were knocked out in the first round by the Indonesian duo. After returning to Lingshui for nearly a month of training, the coaching staff insisted they train separately, using a “retreat for progress” approach, which forced Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin to confront the issues.
Time has a way of teaching valuable lessons. During the cooling-off period, they took the time to reflect on their performance over the past two years. After the devastating loss at the All England, they decided to proactively find a communication method that suited both of them. They agreed that after a loss, regardless of how they felt, they would open up; during matches, even when things were tough, they would always support each other. They explained this change with a similar reason: “Before, we only considered ourselves and worried that speaking too much might become a burden. Now, we know we need to think
With this deeper understanding, both players began to encourage each other with a more inclusive mindset on the court. They advanced to the semifinals at the Asian Championships. Although they didn’t make it to the final, both Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin could feel the magic of mixed doubles theory, “1+1 > 2.” “At that time, we could feel some progress; we didn’t focus too m
They realized that they could perform well together. In the subsequent Indonesia Open, despite a tough draw, they managed to defeat Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping and Chen Jianming/Lai Peijun. In the final, they won 21-11, 21-14 against Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong. Jiang Zhenbang recalls the final, saying, “When we won, we were both a little dazed.” Wei Yaxin jokingly added, “The draw was like a
Standing Strong Behind a Big Tree
From their last championship to this one, seven months passed. Although it was a long wait, the day finally arrived. However, after returning with the Australian Open championship, injuries unexpectedly brought new challenges to this new
After returning from the tournament, Wei Yaxin, who was training in Chengdu with the team, fell seriously ill due to a weakened immune system. Just as she was recovering, she experienced unbearable wrist pain and went to the hospital for an X-ray. The result showed bone marrow edema in her left wrist, for
Reflecting on her injuries, Wei Yaxin helplessly shared that when she was training for singles, she had experienced patellar fractures, ankle fractures, lumbar disc herniation, and a spinal curvature. During the period when she couldn’t play, she trained with the fitness coach to build strength. To become stronger, she also joined the health army, receiving various wellness tips from senior players Jia Yifan and Zheng Yu. She even started cutting out carbonated drinks and snac
When she finally returned to training with the team, Wei Yaxin’s eagerness led her to overdo it. Jiang Zhenbang advised her not to rush and to take things step by step. As long as the overall direction was right, there would be no problem. However, Wei Yaxin’s stubbornness caused he
One day, during a break in training, Wei Yaxin, frustrated with her lack of progress, hid in a corner and cried. Zheng Siwei noticed and approached to patiently talk with her. He explained that since both of them quickly get into the zone on the court, to perform better with their partners, they need to free themse
At first, Wei Yaxin wasn’t entirely sure about this theory, but over time, she started to realize it made sense. To truly break free from old habits, it would take constant effort. From then on, whenever she became overly focused during training and started frowning, both Siwei and Yaqiong would catch it immediately and remind her, “Come on, smile,” and “Don’t have a stern face.”
Wei Yaxin said, “During the preparation for the Paris Olympics, they each had their own pressures, but they still paid attention to my emotions and tried to share their experiences with me. This was one of the joys of being in a mixed doubles partnership!”
For Jiang Zhenbang, he is an athlete who knows how to save energy and avoid internal friction. His top-tier physical abilities allowed him to win first place in the men’s Y-shaped run, 3000m, and all-around events during the national team’s physical competition. Even during the winter training for Paris, he was able to endure Coach Yang Ming’s “devil training” for male players. Of course, everyone’s condition fluctuates, and Jiang Zhenbang also faced periods of poor form. He admits that during those times, he simply had to “endure” to get through it. However, whenever he showed a strong desire to win in training, the coaches praised him generously.
Of course, Jiang Zhenbang occasionally slacks off when it comes to post-training relaxation stretches, and the team doctor always reminds him to take care. One day, during a relaxation session, the doctor said, “Your thigh muscles are very tight. Remember to relax after training.” Jiang Zhenbang replied nonchalantly, “I’m always relaxed.” His teammates burst into laughter, while he shared a silent stare with the doctor.
Though Jiang Zhenbang often appears calm and composed, he is no stranger to internal struggles that he doesn’t express outwardly. Therefore, when communication with Wei Yaxin was difficult, they had to bring in the coach to help them work through things. Over the course of their journey, the coaches often repeated one important phrase: “The real enemy is yourselves.” Through trial and error, they began to understand this meaning.
Just as they once wore the national jersey and felt a sense of pride and determination, to truly match the national team and their position in mixed doubles, they needed to turn their daily persistence and research into more detailed requirements, blending these into what became natural for both of them. Being part of mixed doubles was their confidence foundation, like leaning against a strong tree while also embracing challenges and changes with an open mind.
With the new cycle and adjustments to the Chinese team’s roster, Jiang Zhenbang/Wei Yaxin now rank just behind “YAS” and “Fenghuang” in the world rankings. Looking ahead to the 2025 Sudirman Cup and World Championships, they are likely to compete as main players. They know that, both in terms of strength and experience, they still need to undergo more rigorous training, but they are eager for victory. With full determination for the upcoming major tournaments, they approach the future with calm and composure, moving forward toward their goals with unhurried confidence.
