Chen Yufei, the reigning women's singles gold medalist from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, is gearing up to defend her title at the Paris 2024 Games. Since coach Luo Yigang took the helm six years ago, Chinese women's singles shuttlers have dominated the international scene, clinching major tournaments like the Tokyo Olympics and the Uber Cup. 🏅🌟
At the Badminton World Federation's Olympic qualification tournament, four of the top eight players hailed from China, showcasing the nation's strength in the sport. With each national association limited to two players per singles event, Team China has selected Chen Yufei and He Bingjiao to represent them in Paris.
Reflecting on her journey, Chen shared with China Media Group (CMG), \"I have been in my comfort zone since I won the women's singles Olympic gold medal. I haven't been able to achieve any major breakthrough since then. I have lost many matches by no more than two points. Those matches looked close and I seemed to be working hard, but I just couldn't win. It had nothing to do with my stamina. I just lacked enough will to win.\" 😔💭
Coach Luo expressed his concerns, saying, \"Chen wants to win her second gold in Paris, but I can feel that something has changed with her mindset. She may not handle it well when difficulties grow too big for her. That's one of my concerns.\"
One of the biggest challenges Chen will face in Paris is the formidable World No. 1, An Se-young from South Korea. Luo noted, \"An Se-young is one of the main opponents for us. She may not be as aggressive as she used to be before suffering an injury at the Asian Games, but no one has 100-percent confidence in beating An in a women's singles match, even after she slows down.\" 🤼♀️🔥
Chen acknowledges An's tactical prowess, stating, \"She understands the sport well. She always chooses the right tactics and reads her opponent's plays correctly. She knows exactly how to win the match.\"
Despite the challenges, Chen is determined not only to defend her title but also to enjoy the sport she loves. She emphasizes the importance of balancing confidence with a relaxed mindset to achieve her goals in Paris 2024. 🌍💪
