Olympic Badminton Champion Huang Yaqiong Reveals Reason for Departing Chinese National Team
Conor Hudson
Tue Jan 07 2025
Olympic badminton champion Huang Yaqiong, known as Hoàng Nhã Quỳnh, has announced her departure from the Chinese national team, citing age and injuries as factors. Her decision comes after a stellar performance at the Paris Olympics where she clinched the gold medal in mixed doubles with partner Zheng Siwei.
The 30-year-old athlete bid farewell to the national team on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, stating that her physical condition and accumulated injuries have compelled her to step back. Huang's remarkable achievements include the unbeaten run at the Paris Olympics and a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics three years prior, alongside Zheng Siwei.
Following her triumph in Paris, Huang left France with an engagement ring from her boyfriend, Liu Yuchen, who proposed after her victory, creating a sweet moment amidst the competitive arena. Huang had already made the decision that Paris 2024 would mark her final Olympic appearance, expressing her lack of belief in sustaining her peak performance levels beyond that point.
Despite receiving tremendous support and encouragement from fans and well-wishers to continue her career, Huang acknowledged that her body's wear and tear, coupled with advancing age, have eroded her confidence to carry on shouldering the responsibility of bringing glory to her country. She emphasized that while she still possesses the physical stamina to compete, the cumulative toll of injuries and age-related limitations hinder her from maintaining the required excellence on the international badminton stage.
In a touching tribute to her long-time partner, Zheng, who also announced his retirement from international competition, Huang expressed gratitude for their successful partnership spanning seven years. She acknowledged the pivotal role of all those who supported her throughout her career, recognizing their contributions to her achievements.
Although Huang's departure from the national team marks the end of a chapter, she affirmed her ongoing commitment to badminton, pledging to contribute to the sport in alternative capacities. Huang reiterated her lifelong dedication to badminton, expressing readiness to continue serving the sport wholeheartedly.
As Olympic badminton champion Huang Yaqiong bids farewell to the Chinese national team, her decision reflects a mix of personal reflections, physical considerations, and a deep-seated passion for the sport. Despite stepping away from competitive national team duties, Huang's determination to remain involved in badminton underscores her enduring love for the game and her desire to contribute to its growth and development in different ways.