Sunday, 22 Dec 2024

BWF News: Chinese National Badminton Team Introduces International Coaches

The Chinese national badminton team has embarked on a new approach by enlisting non-Chinese coaches for the first time in history. Kang Kyung Jin from Korea and Yoo Yong Sung, also from Korea, have joined the team as part of this significant development. Additionally, Li Mao, who previously worked with the Korean and Malaysian teams, has returned to the Chinese team.

The Chinese Badminton Association confirmed these announcements, which follow media reports over the weekend. This decision comes in the wake of the TOTAL BWF World Championships 2019, where China’s performance was less than satisfactory, featuring in only one final.

Kang, renowned as the chief coach of Korea’s Sudirman Cup-winning team in 2017, lost his position after the Asian Games last year. Subsequently, some of his fellow coaches, including Kim Ji Hyun, Park Tae Sang, and Agus Dwi Santoso, were recruited by India and Thailand. These coaches’ trainees achieved remarkable success at the World Championships, with India’s Pusarla V Sindhu winning gold, Sai Praneeth winning bronze, and Santoso’s trainee, Kantaphon Wangchaoren, also clinching bronze.

Kang Kyung Jin, a prominent doubles player from the 1990s, secured the All England men’s doubles gold in 1997 alongside Ha Tae Kwon. He played a significant mentoring role for top doubles stars like Lee Yong Dae and Yoo Yeon Seong. In his new role, he will be the women’s doubles coach for China.

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Yoo Yong Sung, another distinguished doubles player from the 1990s and early 2000s, earned silver medals in consecutive Olympic Games in 2000 and 2004. He will be responsible for coaching the men’s doubles in China.

The restructuring of the Chinese national team is aimed at incorporating fresh training methods, as confirmed by CBA President Zhang Jun. “South Korea has excelled in doubles, and we hope Kang Kyung Jin and Yoo Yong Sung can introduce South Korea’s training methods and philosophy, adapting them to suit Chinese players. This way, we can elevate China’s doubles game to a higher level,” Zhang remarked.

In an exciting move, veteran Chinese coach Li Mao has returned to the national team after a hiatus since 1998. At 61 years old, Li Mao will assume the role of coaching China’s men’s singles as they prepare for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Zhang expressed his confidence in Li Mao’s experience, sense of responsibility, unique training approach, and past work with elite players like Dong Jiong and Sun Jun. Li Mao’s return is expected to benefit both young players and coaches.

These changes within the Chinese national badminton team demonstrate a commitment to innovation and development. By embracing international expertise and fresh training methods, China aims to enhance its performance in the sport.