Hey badminton fans, the excitement is real at the Sudirman Cup in Xiamen, Fujian Province! Hosts China kicked off their title defense with a bang, thrashing Algeria 5-0 in the group stage opener. The energy on court was contagious, with the World No. 1 mixed doubles pair Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin delivering a stellar 21-11, 21-13 win. 🌟
Wei Yaxin shared, "It’s exciting to make our Sudirman Cup debut in China’s first match," capturing the spirit of a team where every point counts. The vibe was all about passion and precision as the squad aimed high in every set.
The momentum didn’t stop there – World No. 2 Wang Zhiyi and top-ranked men's singles ace Shi Yuqi helped push China’s lead to 3-0 with their 2-0 wins. Reflecting on his journey, Shi remarked, "Playing my fifth Sudirman Cup shows I’ve maintained my level for a long time." The doubles matches also sizzled as Olympic gold medalists Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan, along with debutants Chen Boyang and Liu Yi, sealed their victories with identical 2-0 results.
The group stage is heating up! In another Group A match, Thailand blanked Hong Kong, China 5-0, keeping the competition fierce with both teams vying for top spots. Elsewhere, powerhouse performances continued with four-time champions South Korea edging past Czech Republic 4-1, Chinese Taipei securing a 4-1 win over Canada in Group B, and impressive wins from Denmark and Indonesia in Group D.
The Sudirman Cup, badminton's premier mixed-team championship, runs through May 4, so stay tuned for more thrilling moments that unite fans across South and Southeast Asia. Let’s cheer on the incredible athletes lighting up the court! 🎉
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
