China's Premier Domestic Sporting Event Takes Center Stage
The 15th Chinese National Games have commenced in Shenzhen, gathering an astonishing 36,000 athletes competing across 585 medal events in 57 sports categories. This quadrennial event, typically held the year following Olympics, represents China's most significant domestic sporting spectacle, drawing participation from all tiers of Chinese athletes.
Hong Kong and Macau join as co-hosts, adding international flavor to what remains essentially China's premier domestic competition. The Games provide a unique platform where provincial rivalries reach fever pitch and Olympic-level competition pressures are simulated.
Badminton's Crucial Testing Ground
While table tennis, diving and volleyball traditionally dominate Chinese sports hierarchy, the National Games hold particular significance for badminton development. The tournament serves as critical preparation for Chinese shuttlers facing international competition, especially against dominant Korean player An Se-young.
For players like Chen Yufei, who remarkably failed to qualify for the World Tour Finals despite winning six Tour titles this season, the National Games represent their peak performance opportunity. Yufei represents Zhejiang province alongside men's doubles star Wang Chang, seeking redemption after international disappointments.
The An Se-young Shadow Looms Large
Korean media, particularly Chosun Daily, has been closely monitoring Chinese reactions to An Se-young's staggering season performance. The Korean world number one has maintained her reign for 118 weeks, including 56 consecutive weeks, while capturing nine titles this season alone.
Her impressive haul includes two Super 1000 victories at Malaysia Open and All England, plus four Super 750 wins in India, Japan, Denmark and France. She has reached 13 finals this season, winning nine of them, creating what Chinese media describes as an unsolvable puzzle for their coaching staff.
Chinese outlets haven't held back criticism. Sina Sports commented: "The Chinese badminton team still does not understand An Se-young. She is already rewriting badminton history. It's time for Chinese coaches to wake up."
The criticism extends to specific coaching decisions. Chosun Daily highlighted how Chinese national team coach Luo Yigang previously instructed players that "An Se-young is nothing special" and advised them to "keep shaking her to drain her stamina." The results, as Korean media gleefully notes, have been disastrous for Chinese players.
Chinese Response and Rising Stars
Despite the An Se-young challenge, Chinese badminton showcases its considerable depth at the National Games. The tournament famously catapults players ranked 300-400 into Top 20 contention rapidly, demonstrating China's badminton development system.
Significant attention focuses on the men's doubles partnership of Liu Yuchen and Feng Yanzhe for Team Beijing. Both standing over 1.9 meters tall, they're dubbed "badminton giants" and dominated the 2020 Nationals just before the COVID pandemic. Liu, the 30-year-old 2018 world champion, makes his comeback after extensive conditioning work, while Feng's net aggression has become legendary.
Provincial rivalries intensify with Jiangsu province (led by Shi Yuqi) competing against Zhejiang (with Wang Chang) and Beijing (with Liu Yuchen). Chen Yufei and Huang Yaqiong carry Zhejiang's hopes, while Jia Yifan battles for Hunan province.
Technological Innovations and Cultural Elements
The Games showcase China's technological advancements with AI cameras capturing key match moments and providing multi-angle viewing options. The opening ceremony featured humanoid robot 'Kuafu', described as "the world's first 5G-A humanoid", serving as the Number 0 torchbearer.
Cultural elements also take center stage as China promotes Baduanjin, or "Eight Pieces of Brocade", as traditional exercise competition to yoga. Performed to soothing music, this ancient practice receives formal packaging alongside Tai chi.
The Games also experiment with the 15 point x 5 sets format, anticipating potential BWF scoring system changes. Organizers barred cross-provincial doubles pairings to enhance individual province quality.
Addressing Modern Challenges
Recognizing contemporary sports challenges, South China Morning Post reported unprecedented measures to protect athletes, coaches and referees from doxxing and fan-led smear campaigns. The Cyberspace Administration of China leads the "Clean and Bright: Online Environment Rectification" campaign to prevent disruptions to event operations.
Despite not appearing on the official badminton calendar, the Chinese National Games remain crucial for talent identification and development. As Chinese shuttlers compete in Shenzhen, the shadow of An Se-young's dominance continues to influence Chinese badminton strategy and preparation for international competitions ahead.
