Source: REUTERS/IVAN ALVARADO
[Saba Sports News] Wang Shixian, the former badminton world champion,
recently shared photos on social media of a dinner gathering with her former
coach Zhang Ning and their teammates. In the photos, Zhang Ning, a two-time
Olympic gold medalist in women’s singles badminton, stands in the center,
surrounded by players who were part of the women’s team during Zhang Ning’s
coaching tenure. Among them are Wang Shixian, Wang Lin, Wang Xin, Jiang
Yanjiao, Han Li, and Suo Di. Surprisingly, all seven of these former players
have maintained their fitness and radiance throughout the years. Fans expressed
how the familiar faces instantly brought back memories from a decade ago. If Li
Xuerui and Wang Yihan could have joined the gathering, it would have
represented the main women’s singles players from both the London and Rio
Olympic cycles. Five of the individuals present, including Zhang Ning, Wang Shixian,
Wang Lin, Wang Xin, and Jiang Yanjiao, have all won world championship titles
and are considered the golden generation of Chinese badminton. Following their
retirements, they have remained involved in the sport. For instance, Wang Lin
became a coach in the Zhejiang Badminton Team, Chen Yufei took up a role as a
badminton instructor in China, and Wang Shixian pursued a career as a badminton
teacher at a university. Clearly, they continue to shine in different
capacities within the sport.