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Jonathan White

Two out of three is not bad was the message from China’s badminton chief after the country defended the Sudirman Cup, regained the Uber Cup and finished second at the Thomas Cup.
The latter two tournaments finished over the weekend, with a young China team beaten 3-0 by Indonesia in the final of the Thomas Cup to rule out a clean sweep of badminton’s most prestigious team silverware.
China Badminton Association president Zhang Jun said that he was “very satisfied with the performance of the players” over the course of the three events in Finland and Denmark this month.
A packed schedule saw them play the China National Games after the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games before heading to Europe for the prestigious team events.

#UberCup2020 champions and 15-time Uber Cup winners

CHINA pic.twitter.com/K8wrwuAs5N
— Badminton Talk (@BadmintonTalk) October 16, 2021

Former Olympic champion Zhang, who won mixed doubles gold at Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004, pointed to the schedule when speaking to state broadcaster CCTV after China’s team commitments wrapped up.
“Maybe it’s never been played like this in history. I have played. I think the physical, psychological, technical and tactical aspects of the players are a big challenge.
China stunned in Thomas Cup final as Indonesia end 19-year wait for glory
“In addition, I think because there are also Olympics and National Games before this competition, the overall intensity is very high.”
Several big names did not make the European leg of the journey, including several Olympic silver medallists from this summer.
Men’s singles star Chen Long, mixed doubles pair Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong, and men’s doubles duo medallists Li Junhui and Liu Yuchen all stayed away.

China also saw the great Lin Dan retire since the team won the Thomas Cup at the last event in Thailand in 2018.
It was a younger men’s team that played at the Thomas Cup, just as the women’s team had picked some younger players for the Uber Cup, where they beat holders Japan in the final. China had also beaten Japan in the mixed team Sudirman Cup in Finland earlier this month.
Zhang said that the aim for the association was to help young players get better after a Covid-19 impacted calendar had minimised chances to compete.
Chen thanks China teammates after losing her Sudirman Cup final match
“This time we have young players as the core and come out to compete in the Thomas Cup, Uber Cup and Sudirman Cup. In fact, our main purpose is that we still have to train our young players, because there has been no international competition for more than a year.
“I want to let our young players grow up as soon as possible through such a competition, and then our young players did perform very well this time, especially the women’s team. I think especially the women’s team.”
Zhang said it was “rewarding” for the men’s team, too, as he congratulated the Indonesians on extending their record to 14 wins.
China claim Sudirman Cup against rivals Japan in high-quality final
“Congratulations to the Indonesian team for winning the Thomas Cup, but I believe that next year, next year will be the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup again. We will continue to work hard to win the Thomas Cup back!”


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Badminton World Federation (BWF)

Thomas and Uber Cup: China badminton boss ‘very satisfied’ after team tournaments

Team China celebrates on the podium after winning the BWF 2021 Sudirman Cup Badminton tournament in Vantaa, Finland. Photo: EPA

(211016) -- AARHUS, Oct. 16, 2021 (Xinhua) -- Chen Qingchen (L)/Jia Yifan of China compete in the women's doubles match against Rawinda Prajongjai/Puttita Supajirakul of Thailand during a semifinal match between China and Thailand at Uber Cup badminton tournament in Aarhus, Denmark, Oct. 15, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)

China stunned in Thomas Cup final as Indonesia end 19-year wait for glory

Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie celebrates his country winning a 14th Thomas Cup title in Denmark. Photo: Xinhua

China face Japan in Uber Cup final and Thomas Cup semi

He Bingjiao of China reacts during the women's singles match against Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand during their Uber Cup semi-final match. Photo: Xinhua

(211016) -- AARHUS, Oct. 16, 2021 (Xinhua) -- He Bingjiao of China competes in the women's singles match against Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand during a semifinal match between China and Thailand at Uber Cup badminton tournament in Aarhus, Denmark, Oct. 15, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)

China sweep Taiwan in Uber Cup, as Thailand semi-final repeat – and chance for revenge – awaits

He Bingjiao of China reacts in the women's singles match against Hung Yi-ting of Taiwan during their quarter-final match at the Uber Cup badminton tournament in Aarhus, Denmark. Photo: Xinhua

(211015) -- AARHUS, Oct. 15, 2021 (Xinhua) -- Chen Yufei of China competes in the women's singles match against Pai Yu Po of Chinese Taipei during a quarter final match at Uber Cup badminton tournament in Aarhus, Denmark, Oct. 14, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)

(211015) -- AARHUS, Oct. 15, 2021 (Xinhua) -- Chen Qingchen (R)/Jia Yifan of China compete in the women's doubles match against Hsu Ya Ching/Hu Ling Fang of Chinese Taipei during a quarter final match at Uber Cup badminton tournament in Aarhus, Denmark, Oct. 14, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)

China into Thomas and Uber Cup quarter-finals with 100 per cent records – and match to spare for the men

He Bingjiao of China reacts in the women's singles match against Line Christophersen of Denmark during a group D match between China and Denmark at the 2020 Uber Cup in Aarhus, Denmark. Photo: Xinhua

(211013) -- AARHUS, Oct. 13, 2021 (Xinhua) -- He Bingjiao of China competes in the women's singles match against Line Christophersen of Denmark during a group D match between China and Denmark at Uber Cup badminton tournament in Aarhus, Denmark, Oct. 12, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)

(211013) -- AARHUS, Oct. 13, 2021 (Xinhua) -- Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan (R) of China compete in the women's doubles match against Amalie Magelund/Freja Ravn of Denmark during a group D match between China and Denmark at Uber Cup badminton tournament in Aarhus, Denmark, Oct. 12, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)

Sudirman Cup: Chen Yufei thanks China teammates after letting them down in final

China's Chen Yufei reacts after a point with Taiwan's Tai Tzu-ying in their women's singles badminton final match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Photo: AFP

epa09503848 Team China celebrates on the podium after winning the BWF 2021 Sudirman Cup Badminton tournament in Vantaa, Finland, 03 October 2021. EPA-EFE/MAURI RATILAINEN

(211002) -- VANTAA, Oct. 2, 2021 (Xinhua) -- China's Chen Yufei competes during the women's singles match against South Korea's An Seyoung during the semifinal match between China and South Korea at Badminton Sudirman Cup 2021 in Vantaa, Finland, Oct. 2, 2021. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua)

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China defended Sudirman Cup, regained women’s event and finished runners-up to Indonesia in men’s team showpiece
Former Olympian Zhang Jun bemoans packed schedule but says Chinese will work hard to win back the Thomas Cup next year



Team defended Sudirman Cup, regained women’s event and finished runner-up to Indonesia in men’s team showpiece as young players gained valuable experience.


Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

2021 National Games of China