As some of China’s best players say goodbye to professional badminton, here’s a snapshot of their career highlights for fans to savour one last time.
It’s been a great run by the likes of Wang Shixian and Wang Yihan in Women’s Singles while Tian Qing and Yu Yang have racked up the trophies in Women’s Doubles.
They have provided some truly memorable entertainment for fans and thrilled with their on-court skills and determination.
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Tian Qing (Women’s Doubles)
- Olympic Games champion, 2012
- World Champion, 2015 & 2014
- Superseries winner (Indonesia Open 2015, Hong Kong Open 2014, All England 2012, etc)
- Winner, Badminton Asia Championships 2012 & 2010
- Asian Games gold medallist, 2010
Tian Qing (left) and Zhao Yunlei won Women’s Doubles gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games
Tian Qing (right) and Zhao Yunlei get emotional as China’s national anthem is played to mark their triumph as Women’s Doubles World champions in Copenhagen in 2014.
A gritty Tian Qing – partnered by Zhao Yunlei – turned in an epic performance, coming from a game down to retain their World Championships title versus Denmark’s Christinna Pedersen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl in Jakarta in 2015.
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Wang Shixian (Women’s Singles)
- Asian Games gold medallist, 2010
- Champion, World Superseries Finals 2010
- Champion, French Open 2014 & 2013, India Open 2014, Korea Open 2012 & 2010, Malaysia Open 2011, China Masters 2011
- Champion, All England 2014 & 2011
- Multiple Uber Cup & Sudirman Cup winner
Wang Shixian (right) won the Women’s Singles title at the BWF World Superseries Finals in 2010, beating Korea’s Bae Yeon Ju in the final.
Known for her exuberant celebrations, Wang Shixian delights in victory at the Yonex All England Championships in 2014, defeating team-mate Li Xuerui for the title.
Wang Shixian (left), along with Li Xuerui (centre) and Wang Yihan, has been in the forefront of China’s Women’s Singles attack in recent years. Here the trio celebrates winning a 14th Uber Cup title (Women’s World Team Championship) this year in Kunshan.
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Wang Yihan (Women’s Singles)
- World Champion, 2011
- Silver medallist, Olympic Games, 2012
- Badminton Asia Championships gold medallist, 2016, 2013 & 2011
- Asian Games gold medallist, 2014
- Multiple Superseries winner (World Superseries Finals 2011, Denmark Open 2013, All England 2009, etc)
Wang Yihan (second right) shares the Women’s Singles podium at the BWF World Championships 2011 (London) with silver medallist, Cheng Shao-Chieh (right; Chiese Taipei) and bronze medallists, Juliane Schenk (left; Germany) and Wang Xin (China).
Wang Yihan en route to the silver medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Wang Yihan romped to her third Badminton Asia Championships gold medal this year, having also won in 2013 and 2011. Here, she is flanked by runner-up and team-mate, Li Xuerui (left), and bronze medallist, Sung Ji Hyun of Korea.
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Yu Yang (Women’s Doubles & Mixed Doubles)
- Olympic Games champion (Women’s Doubles), 2008
- Olympic Games bronze medallist (Mixed Doubles), 2008
- World Champion (Women’s Doubles), 2010, 2011 & 2013
- Multiple Uber Cup & Sudirman Cup champion
- Badminton Asia Championships gold medallist, 2013 (WD), 2011 (WD), 2007 (XD), 2006 (WD)
Yu Yang is thrilled to claim Women’s Doubles gold (with Du Jing) at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
An ecstatic Yu Yang (right) and Wang Xiaoli win the Women’s Doubles World Championship crown in Guangzhou in 2013.
Yu Yang (right) savoured success in one of her last professional outings, winning the Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open 2016 Women’s Doubles title with Tang Yuanting.
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