Beijing: The Chinese Badminton Super League kicked off on Saturday, marking the return of 2020 Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Chen Yufei to the court after a break of over four months following her title defense loss at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Chen shared that she realized she couldn’t easily give up on the sport and still has more to give.
Chen Yufei, who exited the women’s singles quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics, announced after the Paris Games that she would take a break and study abroad in Australia. Last month, she posted on social media that her time abroad had ended and that she was ready to return to the court for a fresh start.
Saturday, in the women’s singles match of the Chinese Badminton Super League, Chen Yufei’s Zhejiang team faced Shenzhen Yuzhong. Representing Zhejiang in the second set, Chen competed against Shenzhen’s young player Guo Yehong. Chen Yufei claimed victory in just 16 minutes, with scores of 11-2, 11-3, and 11-1. In a post-match interview, Chen said, “It’s been four months since I left the court. During this time, I’ve thought a lot and realized that I can’t easily give up on this sport. I also feel that I haven’t reached my ‘limit’ yet and can continue to play…” She also posted a photo on Weibo with the caption: “I’m back.”
After the Paris Olympics, Chen Yufei decided to temporarily step away from badminton, with plans to “restart” in 2025. China’s singles head coach, Xia Xuanze, pointed out the challenges awaiting Chen upon her return to the China national team.
In an interview with Chinese media, Xia Xuanze acknowledged Chen Yufei’s comprehensive strengths, including her match experience, technical skills, and on-the-spot performance. However, he emphasized the importance of addressing her recovery from injuries and maintaining her capabilities.
Xia highlighted Chen’s key tasks upon rejoining the China national team: “The first priority is to strengthen her foundational strength training, protect her joints, and ensure effective injury management.”
