Farewell to Badminton Legends at Olympic Paris 2024
Trang Napie
Sat Aug 24 2024
The badminton world witnessed a series of surprising farewells at the Olympic Paris 2024, signaling the end of an era for several renowned players. Among them, He Bing Jiao stunned fans by bidding adieu to the international stage after the women's singles final. This marked a significant moment in a year that seemed to symbolize the conclusion of a generation in the sport.
One of the notable exits came from the Chinese men's doubles pair, Liu Yu Chen and Ou Xuan Yi, who decided to part ways from international competition. Despite their exceptional skills and global ranking of number two, the duo failed to advance past the group stage in France, finishing behind their competitors from Japan and the United States. Liu, who previously found success with his former partner Li Jun Hui, known as the "Twin Towers," claimed the World Championship title in 2018 and an Olympic silver in Tokyo 2020.
Following Li Jun Hui's retirement post-Tokyo Olympics, Liu joined forces with Ou Xuan Yi, swiftly climbing into the top ten of the world rankings. Their achievements, including triumphs at the Indonesia Open 2022 and World Tour Finals 2022, culminated in a memorable victory at the Sudirman Cup Finals in 2023. Despite trailing against Japan in the semi-finals, Liu and Ou staged a remarkable comeback to secure China's victory, showcasing their resilience on home soil.
Liu's breakthrough as a young player was evident when he clinched the gold medal at the World Junior Championships in 2013 alongside Li Jun Hui. Their partnership flourished with wins at prestigious events such as the Asian Championships and Indonesia Open. Liu's pivotal role in China's Thomas Cup and Sudirman Cup campaigns, as well as at the Asian Games, solidified his status as a badminton icon. The Paris 2024 Olympics witnessed a heartwarming moment as Liu proposed to his long-time girlfriend Huang Ya Qiong on the sidelines after the mixed doubles final, where Huang and her partner Zheng Si Wei emerged victorious.
The departures of esteemed players like Liu Yu Chen and Ou Xuan Yi from the badminton scene mark the end of a remarkable chapter in the sport's history. As they bid farewell to the international arena, their legacy and contributions to the game will be cherished by fans worldwide.