Source:REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
[Saba Sports News] Liang Weikeng won a silver medal in men’s doubles badminton at his first Olympic appearance, gaining numerous fans with his strength as a key player on the Chinese badminton team. Reports indicate that Liang Weikeng holds the record for the highest shuttlecock speed in men’s doubles at 492.8 km/h, faster than high-speed trains. However, fans remember Liang Weikeng more for his round face and slight belly. Some fans questioned: Isn’t it said that high physical activity leads to weight loss? Why does Liang Weikeng’s physique seem different from our expectations of tall and muscular athletes with six-pack abs? It turns out that a professional badminton player’s “belly” is not excess fat. The sport requires a lot of twisting movements, causing well-trained athletes to develop thick waist muscles that push fat forward. Additionally, players have large waist muscles while the fat used for energy during matches lies on top of these muscles, giving the visual impression of a “belly.” In men’s doubles matches, Liang Weikeng plays in the backcourt and needs to maximize court coverage and improve movement speed; having too much muscle can reduce flexibility, agility, and speed, making it easy to fall into disadvantageous situations during rallies.