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Chinese Badminton Team to Be Revitalized by Fresh Blood
Nine trump shutters including world and Olympic champions Ge Fei and Gu Jun will formally retire from the Chinese badminton team and say goodbye to the world badminton arena according to a decision from badminton high-ups. This will be the biggest adjustment of forces made by China to upgrade the fighting force of its badminton team since last done seven years ago.
Li Yongbo, head coach of the Chinese badminton team, said that of the nine would-be shutter retirees Ge Fei and Gu Jun have long been a best-ever fighting pair to have successively won titles in world women's double events in the history of Olympics. Sun Jun has claimed world men's single title; Ye Zhaoying, world women's single title twice and third place in women's single event in Sydney Olympics. Dong Jiong has been a silver winner of Atlanta Olympics and winner of mixed group team title; Qin Yiyuan has as a team member won team title in Uber Cup and third place in women's double event in Sydney Olympics. Xu Jinhao has as a member of mixed group claimed world team title; Chen Gang, men's single event title in the 8th National Sports Meet; and Lu Ying has as a member of women's double team fought in the 8th National Sports Meet.
Li said although the retirees may fight still to win new honors for the country yet they will not be in a sure position to fulfil the Chinese team's important mission of winning golds in future Asian Games and Olympic Games. Only by giving up some transient gains for the time being and being reinforced by new forces can the Chinese badminton team be assured of new great successes in new world Games.
Li said that the Chinese badminton team will be reinforced and revitalized by young fresh blood and helped to become an active and hopeful team and to this end opinions and suggestions will be widely solicited from among the country's team coaches and shutters.
Many old shutters including Ge Fei, Sun Jun and Dong Jiong have long been troubled by old wounds and are no longer in a way to stand hard training, Li said. However, some veteran shutters like Luo Yigang will continue to remain in the team to keep it in an appropriate age structure to help new young recruiters be benefited by their skills and experiences.
The nine would-be shutters will retire after representing their local teams to play in the 9th National Sports Meet. Li also said that no new recruiters have been decided until the end of this month after the National Badminton Tournament.
By PD Online staff Huang Ying
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