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Chinese World Champions to Retire from International Badminton
Seven Chinese world champions will retire from international badminton, head coach of China's national badminton team Li Yongbo confirmed November 12 in Guangzhou.
Women's doubles parings Ge Fei and Gu Jun, the world champions and two-time Olympic gold medalists, and reigning men's singles world champion Sun Jun lead nine shuttlers who are leaving the national team.
Former women's singles world champion Ye Zhaoying, Sudirman Cup world mixed team champions Dong Jiong, Yu Jinhao and Qin Yiyuan, and Chen Gang and Lu Ying are also retiring.
"They will not play for China in international tournaments any more," Li told Xinhua. "But they are to take part in the ninth Chinese National Games in November, 2001."
It is the most significant team reshuffle since 1993, when Li took the helm of the national squad.
The Chinese, who dominated badminton tournament at Sydney Olympics by snatching four out of five golds at stake in September, have already started the draw of blueprint for the future.
Though most of the nine players are in their golden time, of whom the oldest Dong and Qin aged 27, Li Yongbo is determined to replace them with promising young players.
"We had a bitter lesson in the early 90s when we delayed the recruitment," said Li, former men's doubles world champion. "As a result, we suffered a major setback in the Asian Games in 1994 when we took none of six gold medals."
"At the same time, the veteran shuttlers sustained various injuries after so many years in action. They will face more difficulties than the others if they continue their international career, " Li added.
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