Badminton is one of the most popular sports played and enjoyed by people worldwide. But this sport is particularly popular in a few countries, and China is at the top of that list.
China is widely considered the most dominant country in badminton, with numerous professional players who have won multiple world championships and Olympic gold medals. China’s dominance in this sport can be seen through its performance in the Olympics, as it has won 18 of the 34 gold medals on offer so far, 24 out of 32 at the team events, and 66 golds at the World Championships, including three occasions.
Rather than performing in the Olympics, China participated in and won many international tournaments like the Thomas, Uber, and Sudirman Cups.
Now you might wonder how a country can be so good at badminton. So to clear your doubt today, here in this post, we will discuss why Chinese players are so good at this racket sport and the reasons behind this.
So, let’s dive in:
Top 10 reasons why Chinese players are so good at badminton
Let’s begin with:
1. Government support
You might have seen that players from other countries have to pay for training themselves or rely on federations for support. But in China, the government plays a significant role in financially and structurally supporting and developing its badminton players, including providing financial support for training, equipment, travel, and competition.
The Chinese government has built specialized training facilities for players in different parts of the country. Also, they provide them with talent development programs and sports diplomacy initiatives.
Rather than this, the Chinese government also provides scholarships to talented young players to attend specialized sports schools. These schools provide a high level of training and education and are a key part of the talent development system in China.
2. A huge player base
China has over 1.4 billion people, and badminton is a very popular sport. It means that many young athletes are interested in playing this sport and have the potential to become top-level players.
As per Chinese tradition, China has a well-developed sports school system and training facilities specializing in badminton. These facilities allow young players to train at a high level and develop their skills under the guidance of experienced coaches and trainers.
The large population, a popular sport, and a well-developed talent identification and development program have resulted in a huge pool of talented players in China. It has allowed the country to dominate the sport internationally and produce many world-class players.
3. Better training facilities
Compared to other countries, thousands of sports-centered boarding schools across China receive substantial funding from the federal government. These schools provide quality training facilities and are among the best places for young players to exhibit their talent. Most skillful players are recognized quickly at these schools, after which they undergo training and take the first step toward the Olympics.
Chinese players begin their badminton journey at the very young age of 11, and by the age of 13–14, they completely indulge themselves in this sport and get involved in club and district-level competitions.
Let me explain it to you with an example: Zhang Ning is one of the elite Chinese badminton players; she began her badminton journey at 11, got a spot on the national team by age 16, and represented her country at the Olympics by the age of 29.
And like Zhang Ning, many other players from China have proven themselves at national and international levels.
4. World-Class Structured Coaching
When it comes to coaching, China never takes a chance and even hires a foreign, world-class coach if necessary. And many international coaches move to China due to the country’s attractive working conditions.
For example, Tang Xianhu was one of the best Indonesian junior players, and after retiring from professional badminton, Tang coached the Indonesian team and, subsequently, the Chinese team. He is well-known for guiding Ji Xinpeng to Olympic gold in 2004.
Rather than this, many ex-Chinese players begin coaching in their hometowns and localities, allowing them to learn from the ones they admire on the court. Likewise, one of these ex-player coaches is Zhang Ning, who was appointed to coach the country’s women’s national team in 2006.
Another former international player turned coach is Zhang Jun. He was singled out as the head of the Chinese Badminton Association on January 28, 2019.
5. Discipline and Motivation
Chinese badminton players are known for their rigorous training routines, which can involve several hours of practice daily. It requires high discipline and motivation, as it can be physically and mentally demanding. It also helps the Chinese players stay focused on their goals and maintain a positive mindset, despite challenges and setbacks.
Discipline and motivation are important in building strong team dynamics among Chinese badminton players. They learn to work together, support each other, and maintain a positive team spirit.
Rather, it helps Chinese badminton players develop resilience in adversity. They learn to push through physical and mental fatigue, overcome injuries, and bounce back from losses.
6. National Pride
For years, China has inculcated a culture of national pride in the nation’s athletic performance on the global stage, particularly in the Olympics. And this national pride has become a significant motivator for Chinese badminton players, and it plays an important role in their success.
Chinese players are also aware of the high expectations that their fans and their country have for them, and this drives them to work even harder to achieve success. Winning international tournaments and bringing home medals demonstrates China’s strength and competitiveness on the world stage, and Chinese badminton players take great pride in their accomplishments.
Rather than this, the Chinese government places a strong emphasis on sports as a means of promoting national pride and unity. The success of Chinese badminton players is often celebrated in the media and by the government, and players are seen as ambassadors for their country.
7. A system geared to win
China benefits from a well-established and integrated system that aims to win international sporting events. The youngsters are recruited very young and sent to training centres, where they are prepared for global-level tournaments and competitions.
China has invested heavily in sports training facilities, which has provided Chinese athletes with access to world-class training facilities, experienced coaching and support staff, and the financial support they need to focus on their sport full-time.
As a result, Chinese athletes have been able to compete and succeed at the highest levels of their sports, including at the Olympic Games and other international competitions.
Rather than this, China prides itself on over 100 elite sports camps that train thousands of athletes, including 96% of the country’s national champions. And the biggest of these camps is Haigen Sports Training Base, located in Kunming. More than 3,000 government-managed sports schools in this state have turned out almost all Chinese Olympic athletes.
8. Recruitment methods
The Chinese athletic development system relies on effective recruitment strategies, and they believe in early recruitment from a young age for the players.
Different cities assess children ages 8 to 13 and select sports candidates based on the results. After which, these children are sent to government-sponsored institutions for further training. This recruitment system has been highly successful for China in the badminton world at the international level.
9. Amazing players
China has established itself as a badminton superpower by having better players, including Lin Dan and Gao Ling.
(a) Lin Dan
There’s no doubt that Lin Dan is the most incredible men’s singles player and is well known for his speed, relentless attacks, and explosive power that he generates with his racket while playing a shot.
He was born in Longyan, Fujian, China, to Gao Xiuyu and Lin Jainbin. When Lin was very young, his parents wanted him to learn piano, but he was more interested in playing badminton and wanted to make a career in this sport. After which, he joined the People’s Liberation Army sports troop at the age of 13, and when he turned 18, he started playing for China’s national team. At the age of 18, Lin Dan started his badminton journey.
Rather than this, Lin Dan has won 66 titles in singles to date, which includes 15 BWF super series titles, 5 BWF excellent series premier titles, and 1 BWF fantastic series finals title. He also won two gold medals at the Olympics and is a five-time world champion. This Chinese Super Dan is currently ranked 20th in the BWF rankings.
(b) Gao Ling
Gao Ling was born in the Hubei region of China. She is one of the best doubles players in the history of women’s badminton and had an amazing career in singles, according to her dominating gameplay. She is also well known for her anticipation, consistency, gaming style, and sporting smile. Gao Ling began her career at the very young age of eight years and won every title available in this sport.
Talking about her achievements, let me inform you that she won four Olympic medals, including two gold, one bronze, and one silver. Also, she won four medals at world championships, five gold medals in the Uber Cup, three gold medals in the Sudirman Cup, and one gold medal at the badminton world cup.
10. Good teamwork
Effective teamwork in badminton requires players to work together towards a common goal, communicate effectively, trust and support each other, and capitalize on each other’s strengths while covering for each other’s weaknesses. Chinese badminton players are well-known for their ability to work together seamlessly on the court, allowing them to excel in both singles and doubles competitions.
One key aspect of Chinese badminton players’ teamwork is their ability to anticipate and react to their opponent’s moves. It requires strong communication and a deep understanding of each other’s playing styles and tendencies. By practicing together and analyzing their opponents’ strategies, Chinese badminton players can develop a high level of synchronization and coordination on the court.
And by working together effectively and supporting each other on the court, Chinese players can achieve a level of excellence unmatched in badminton.
Final Words
So, these were some of the top reasons today’s Chinese players are so good at badminton. However, other countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea, Denmark, India, etc., also have promising young talents to compete against China. But to reach the level of China, these countries have to upgrade well-established and integrated systems for better outcomes. And if this happens, then we will get to enjoy more competitive matches.
And in case you face any problems or have any questions regarding this post, feel free to ask us or pin them up in the comment section below.