That era was undoubtedly a bright and glorious chapter for Chinese badminton, and our national team's achievements in various competitions were outstanding, far surpassing other strong teams in the world.
In this grand historical stage, the figures of two outstanding talents shine brightly and become the most dazzling light - they are Tian Bingyi and Li Yongbo.
Not only did they win gold medals in the men's doubles event for their country during their years as athletes, but after they retired, they chose to coach and continue to fight side by side, producing generations of world champions.
They are undoubtedly the best witnesses and interpreters of the glorious years of the Chinese badminton team.
Back in the 1988 Seoul Olympics badminton exhibition match, Tian Bingyi and Li Yongbo went all out as partners in the men's doubles final.
Although the competition was a show-only event, their eagerness for gold remained undiminished.
On the field, their cooperation is seamless, making it difficult for opponents to resist. In the end, to the enthusiastic cheers of the audience, they successfully defeated their opponents and won the first Olympic badminton gold medal for the national team! After the game, they looked at each other and smiled, and their excitement could not be hidden.
Their gold medal is undoubtedly a key step for Chinese badminton to step onto the world stage.
After retiring, Tian Bingyi and Li Yongbo did not choose to give up their coaching jobs, but continued to fight side by side and stick to their coaching posts.
Whenever they appear on the sidelines, the eyes of young athletes can't help but be drawn to them.
Although they no longer have the posture they used to have, they have always maintained a high level of focus and rigor in guiding young athletes on the training ground and in life, and every move reflects their persistent pursuit of technology.
Through their words and deeds, they have deeply imprinted the fighting spirit of the Chinese nation of "unremitting self-improvement and striving for the top" in the hearts of every athlete.
In 1963, Tian Bingyi was born in Wuhan City, the thoroughfare of nine provinces. From an early age, he showed extraordinary athletic talent, whether it was practicing the basics hard at home or playing with his friends on the playground, he was always able to cope with it with ease and was enviable.
At the age of 11, Tian Bingyi stepped into the Wuhan Gymnasium and began to receive systematic sports training. Under the strict requirements of his coach, he gradually got rid of the immaturity of playing football on the streets in the past, and gradually grew into an excellent athlete.
When he was only 15 years old, he had already won the ticket to enter the Hubei Provincial Badminton Team through his outstanding performance, and since then his life trajectory has moved towards a higher stage.
What's even more shocking is that at the age of 17, he teamed up with the famous Yang Kesen to win the national badminton men's doubles championship, showing the demeanor of a young hero!
However, the road to sports is by no means easy, and more often than not, it requires hardships and hardships. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, the performance of the Chinese badminton team was a nightmare, leaving countless fans heartbroken.
At the scene of the competition, the movements of the Chinese team athletes appeared to be more and more sluggish, and they had long lost their former vitality, while outside the court, the coaches were solemn and anxiously paced back and forth from time to time.
In the end, the Chinese team only won three bronze medals, missing out on the gold and silver Grand Slam. Such a dismal result made Li Yongbo, who has been the coach of the national team for many years, questioned and under tremendous pressure.
In fact, the idea of leaving the team had already germinated in Li Yongbo's heart. As a close friend in his coaching career, Tian Bingyi also knows this.
During that time, he often saw Li Yongbo standing alone on the sidelines of the training ground, watching the players' training thoughtfully, his brows furrowed.
So, the two decided to leave the group together. Before leaving, Li Yongbo glanced at Tian Bingyi deeply, and his eyes revealed complicated emotions.
Tian Bingyi nodded knowingly, expressing his understanding and support.
Once, they fought side by side and worked hand in hand, and now, the pair of "Hum Ha Two Generals" also parted ways at this moment.
The Chinese badminton team then underwent large-scale coaching adjustments and reforms, and after the new head Zhang Jun took office, although many changes were made in personnel and systems, the Chinese team's record has never been able to break through, and even the World Championships that have just ended have created the worst record in more than 20 years.
This has made the majority of fans have unprecedented doubts and worries about the future competitiveness of the national feather.
For Tian Bingyi, who has entered the age of sixtieth year, this is undoubtedly a serious challenge. Young athletes are full of passion, and whether he can find a balance between rigor and affinity, and grasp the right balance, is really not easy, and needs to be understood with heart.
However, Mr. Tian Bingyi himself does not seem to be overly concerned about this issue.
"It's been a long time since I retired, and the experience I've gained from fighting on the field is deeply ingrained. Mr. Tian Bingyi said frankly, "Looking back on the past, I can better empathize with and deeply understand the good intentions of those older generation coaches."
He looks forward to using his decades of experience in the badminton world to answer questions, inspire and inspire the younger generation, share his valuable experience, and help them avoid more detours.
In fact, even in the gap period of leaving the team for many years, Mr. Tian Bingyi has always been silently following the development of the national team behind the scenes.
Indeed, for this "meritorious figure" who has been in charge of the national team for many years and won the reputation of "gold medal coach", reviving the "military flag" of the national feather is not only his lifelong pursuit, but also his mission and responsibility.
During his time as a coach, he has demonstrated this in his actions.
When it comes to Mr. Tian Bingyi's coaching career in the national team, people are undoubtedly most familiar with his brilliant chapter in the women's doubles event.
Those thunderous names, such as Ge Fei/Gu Jun, Du Jing/Yu Yang, Zhao Yunlei/Tian Qing, Wang Xiaoli/Yu Yang and other world champion combinations, are all from the genius of Mr. Tian Bingyi.
Looking back on the past, at the beginning of coaching the national feather women's doubles team, Mr. Tian Bingyi showed an image of rigorous, professional and patient guidance. Whenever he was on the training ground, he always stood at the edge of the field, scrutinizing everything on the field with a keen eye, as if he were closely watching his prey.
As soon as he noticed the slightest mistake in the athlete's movements, he would immediately correct it, and his tone was as serious as if he was facing an abyss, and sometimes he even showed a fierce expression, which made people tremble.
However, after the admonition, he will return to his former gentleness, modesty and kindness, and give detailed instructions step by step.
Off the scene, Mr. Tian Bingyi cared for the students in every detail, and sometimes even like a loving father. He will take the initiative to understand the daily life of the athletes, solve practical difficulties in a timely manner, and give appropriate encouragement and support before the competition to help them relieve tension.
In view of the unswerving rigorous style of "strict teachers produce high apprentices" in his teaching career, Tian Bingyi has undoubtedly become the most difficult to replace "teacher" in the eyes of many athletes!
In fact, Tian Bingyi's attitude towards each student is full of eagerness to succeed in their careers. He always teaches patiently and meticulously, and only hopes that these immature little girls can take as little unjust roads as possible and run into fewer walls on the road of competition in the future.
In his mind, there is nothing in this world that is more worthy of pride and pride than the success of his career.
Perhaps because of such strong expectations, Tian Bingyi's enthusiasm and perseverance in the process of coaching are unparalleled. This tenacity has not only shaped countless world champions, but more importantly, it has planted the seeds of self-improvement in the hearts of the students, allowing them to pass on this fighting spirit and carry it forward.