Beijing: China’s World No. 4 men’s doubles player – Li Junhui, announced his retirement on Friday, 105 days after he and his partner, Liu Yu Chen, lost to Lee Yang/Wang Chi-lin in 2020 Tokyo Olympics men’s doubles final.
In a spectacular 9-year career with the Chinese national badminton team, Li Junhui, 26, and Liu Yu Chen, 26, have won various prestigious titles such as the 2018 World Championships gold, the 2018 Thomas Cup, 2018 Asian Games men’s team gold, the and the 2019 Sudirman Cup.
(video: Li Junhui’s Weibo)
In a message posted on his social media account in China, Li revealed that his retirement was due to repetitive injury which made him difficult to recover and return to his best form.
“Life is like a rushing train, no matter how it goes all the way, no matter what the scenery along the way is infinite, but there will be a stop at the end, and some people will get off the train and some will get on the train.
Since entering the national team in 2012, it opened the most exciting door of my life, and it has led me to climb the ladder of my life step by step.
It won me the honor and also glory for my motherland.
I am well aware that all of this was due to the many resources provided by the party and the country over the years.
Along the way, there are too many people whom I want to thank. They have given me advice, showed love, and offered a helping hand to comfort me when I was in deep trouble. They also helped me stand on the podium again and again.
I would like to thank the mentor and the coaches who have led and taught me, and the team leader and team doctor who has contributed a lot behind the scene.
Thanks to the leaders and coaches of the Liaoning team.
Thanks to my teammates.
Thanks to my partner Liu Yuchen, my best friend and brother for life.
Here, I would also like to thank my fans, it is you who love me unconditionally and support me.
There will always be ups and downs on the road, and the road in badminton is even more so. When I am on the podium, you gave me applause; when I am at my low, you tolerated and encouraged me.
It is you who have been following me and staying with me for so many years, thank you very much.
In 2017, when I was playing in Super League, I experienced a very close to 3rd-degree acute meniscus injury of the right knee joint, combined with bone contusions of the distal femur and proximal tibia. After 18 years of a sports career, I have suffered thoracic facet joint disorders and dislocation. I also developed osteoarthritis on my right first metatarsophalangeal joint.
Although the condition had improved after multiple treatments, my injuries have not been cured 100%. Whenever the training intensity was increased, I started to feel pain and uncomfortable. Therefore, it had been difficult for me to complete the training plan assigned by the coaches compared to other players in the team.
Now the world of badminton men’s doubles has become very competitive. High-intensity training became the basic guarantee for victory. I was unable to complete the training plan given by the national team due to injuries and illness. For this reason, my mind and spirit were often felt really bad.
Based on the injuries above, I am very sorry to announce today that I will withdraw from the national team and announce my retirement.
Here, I wish players in the national badminton team, as always, to play well and stand on the highest podium in the badminton world, sing the national anthem proudly, and look up to the five-star red flag of the motherland.
I wish the young newcomers and younger generation to create a better future for themselves and a great success.
Wish the China Badminton, better and better!
Li Junhui
”
Wish Li Junhui the best of luck in his future endeavors! (photo: AFP)
