Source: REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
[Saba Sports News] During the Paris Olympics, Japanese badminton player Shida Chiharu gained popularity due to her outstanding appearance. On the internet, Shida Chiharu has become a rising star. After the Paris Olympics, Shida Chiharu frequently showcases her love for Chinese culture on social media. Her sincere and open-minded attitude has won the affection of many Chinese fans. It is reported that Shida Chiharu is often found reading Chinese books and practicing writing Chinese characters during training breaks, and she shares the language knowledge she has learned with her teammates. This teaching activity not only enhances the team’s unity but also arouses her teammates’ strong interest in Chinese culture. Whenever a competition is held in China, she always excitedly tries various local specialties and tries her best to order dishes and express gratitude in Chinese. In public occasions, Shida Chiharu has expressed her admiration for Ma Jin, a famous Chinese women’s doubles badminton player, multiple times. This admiration is not only reflected in her enthusiastic attention when watching Ma Jin’s matches but also in her study and imitation of Ma Jin’s technical details after the game. Whenever Ma Jin is mentioned, Shida Chiharu’s face is filled with admiration, and her eyes are full of respect for her idol. This emotion is genuine and profound, making her image more vivid and her personality more dimensional. After the Olympics, Shida Chiharu often participates in cultural exchange activities between China and Japan and has become an important figure in promoting East Asian cultural aesthetics.