It is worth mentioning that the last time the Chinese badminton team won both the Thomas Cup and the Uber Cup was 12 years ago in 2012. That year's Tang You Cup was also held in China, and the Chinese badminton team that won the Tang Cup and You Cup was full of momentum, creating a good record of winning five gold medals in the subsequent London Olympics.
The final of the 2024 Tang You Cup ended in Chengdu a few days ago. The women's team won the Uber Cup for the 16th time, and the men's team won the Thomas Cup for the 11th time, winning the Thomas Cup again after 12 years - the Chinese badminton team handed in a satisfactory answer sheet in the last big test before the Paris Olympics.
Achieving such results has undoubtedly increased the confidence of the national feather in the Olympic journey. Zhang Jun, chairman of the Chinese Badminton Association, said in an interview: "Being able to regain the Tang You Cup will undoubtedly play a positive role in the team's momentum and fighting spirit, and we will be more confident to compete for gold and silver in the Paris Olympics." However, Zhang Jun admitted that the process of regaining the Tang You Cup was not smooth sailing, and there were many difficulties, "It is certainly gratifying to win (the Tang You Cup), but the challenge of the Olympic Games is still very great, and all opponents cannot be taken lightly." ”
The Chinese badminton team, which is playing at home, vowed to regain the Tang You Cup before the game. All the way from the group stage to the knockout round, and then to the final two matches with the Indonesian team, the national feather players have played their own level, momentum and ability. Winning two trophies at the same time is enough to prove the strong group advantages and technical capabilities of the Chinese badminton team in the Olympic year.
Men's team final
Thomas Cup 2024 Badminton Tournament
Shi Yuqi
VS
Ginting
In the Uber Cup journey, the national feather swept the championship without losing a set. However, looking at the entire journey to the top, the national feather women's team did not actually encounter the strongest opponent. Japan and South Korea, one of the two main opponents of the national team, Akane Yamaguchi and An Seying, were both absent due to injury. If these two world stars play normally, the national feather championship process will definitely face more serious challenges.
In terms of Olympic players in the national feather women's team, "No. 1 singles" Chen Yufei won all four matches and did not lose a game, but unfortunately, she did not have a direct dialogue with An Seying, Akane Yamaguchi and Tai Tzu Ying, and there was no Spanish star Marin in the Uber Cup. Chen Yufei wants to defend her title in Paris, and the real opponents are precisely these four.
In the view of Luo Yigang, head coach of the women's singles group of the Chinese badminton team, the greater gain of this year's You Cup is the second singles He Bingjiao. The latter has encountered hard battles several times in the position of connecting the previous and the next, but still tries to ensure that the score is not lost. Especially in the finals, facing players who have never played each other, they stubbornly reversed in the case of losing a game first, and their psychological quality has been greatly improved.
Women's team semifinals
2024 Uber Cup Badminton Championships
Chen Qingchen
Jia Yifan
VS
Chiho Shida
Nami Matsuyama
As one of the most consistent scoring points of the national women's team in this Uber Cup, the women's doubles pair Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan won a hard-to-head duel with their Japanese opponents in the face of adversity, once again showing their undoubted competitive level and ability to withstand pressure. However, the dense muscle patches on Jia Yifan's arms during the final show that the physical condition of the two is the most important part to protect before the Olympics.
In the men's team, only Shi Yuqi of the four groups of Olympians maintained a full victory in the Tang Cup, and he has regained his form this year, and his performance in this Tang Cup is more stable and outstanding, which deserves more expectations in the Olympic Games. However, another highly-anticipated men's singles player, Li Shifeng, is in worrying form, dropping points in both knockout matches against India and Indonesia. Whether he can find the level he was at when he won the double at last year's Asian Games as soon as possible will be the key to whether Li Shifeng can make a difference in Paris.
Men's team final
Thomas Cup 2024 Badminton Tournament
Leung Wai Hang
Wang Chang
VS
Fagar
Ardianto
Two Olympic doubles pairs, Leung Wai Hang/Wang Chang and Liu Yuchen/Ou Xuanyi, have both lost in this year's Tang Cup. However, in Zhang Jun's view, the men's doubles was originally the most competitive of the five individual events, and the level of the world's top 10 pairs was within a millimeter, depending on who played better in the match. "After a major tournament like the Soup Cup, I believe that these two teams will show a more consistent performance in the Olympics."
In this year's Tang You Cup, in addition to the Chinese team, the most eye-catching performance is undoubtedly the Indonesian team, who broke into the finals of both the Tang Cup and the You Cup. In particular, Jonatan of the Indonesian men's team, who won heavyweight championships such as the All England Championships and the Asian Championships this season, has risen to third in the world rankings. In this year's Tang Cup, he is in hot form, winning all 6 matches, and will be one of the biggest opponents of the national feather to compete for the men's singles Olympic gold medal.
Men's team 1/4 finals
Thomas Cup 2024 Badminton Tournament
Shi Yuqi
VS
Plano
In addition to their respective competitive levels, physical and mental state are also important factors in the Olympic gold medal race. "Some of the top players didn't play this time because of injuries, but I'm sure they'll be in good shape by the time the Olympics come." Luo Yigang said when summing up the game. Luo Yigang revealed that psychological construction will be the focus of the women's singles team to prepare for the Olympic Games, and it is also the biggest gain of this You Cup. "The pressure of the Olympics is unusual, and the mental aspect of preparation is crucial. In previous competitions, many players lost because of their psychological immaturity and inability to bear the pressure, both Chinese and foreign players. ”
After all, in addition to one-on-one competition, there is also the blessing of arrangement, team atmosphere, and home advantage, and when it comes to the Olympic arena, it is a "lonely" battle.
During the Tokyo Olympic cycle, the Chinese badminton team overcame obstacles such as the epidemic and difficulties in overseas participation, and entered all five finals on the Olympic stage, and finally won 2 golds and 4 silvers.
It is worth mentioning that the last time the Chinese badminton team won both the Thomas Cup and the Uber Cup was 12 years ago in 2012. That year's Tang You Cup was also held in China, and the Chinese badminton team that won the Tang Cup and You Cup was full of momentum, creating a good record of winning five gold medals in the subsequent London Olympics.