Olympic champion Huang Yaqiong retires from international badminton
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China's Huang Yaqiong (left) and mixed doubles partner Zheng Siwei have both retired from international competition.
PHOTO: AFP
BEIJING – Olympic badminton champion Huang Yaqiong announced on social media on Jan 1 that she has submitted her resignation to the Chinese national team and officially bid farewell to her international career.
“Actually, since the run-up to the Paris Olympics, I’ve already regarded the Paris Olympics as my last one,” Huang, the world No. 3 mixed doubles pair with Zheng Siwei, wrote.
“Although, based on my current form, I still possess the physical ability to compete, the accumulated injuries over the years, combined with the advancing age, I am not confident I can continue to maintain my form as an elite athlete.”
Zheng had announced in November his retirement from international competition.
After finishing runners-up at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, the pair were in commanding form at the Paris Games, storming to the mixed doubles gold without dropping a set.
In their last international competition, they claimed their third consecutive title at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Finals in December.
Although she has severed ties with the Chinese national team, Huang assured fans her bond with badminton remains unbroken.
She said she will still contribute to the sport in her own way, adding: “Badminton is my lifelong pursuit, and I’m willing to give it my all.” XINHUA
