Resurgent China end 12-year wait to sweep Thomas & Uber Cup titles

After a grueling 12-year journey, everything came down to a single smash. In the late hours of Sunday night, Ren Xiangyu stood tall in Chengdu's Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium, faced with a pivotal match point and a golden opportunity to seize a long-held dream. Over the years, China had come agonizingly close to reach the summit in numerous finals, but never had they been as near as they were in that very moment. Determination coursed through Ren's veins as he composed himself. He was not going to let go, not now. With an explosive jump smash that proved impossible to resist, Ren sealed the title and jubilant celebrations erupted.  

China had achieved an incredible double triumph on home soil, emerging victorious against Indonesia in both the men's and women's final of the Thomas and Uber Cup. It marked a significant milestone for the badminton powerhouse, as it had been 12 years since China last accomplished such a feat.

It was also a rare occurrence for China and Indonesia to both reach the finals of the same edition, only the second time it has happened since 1986. History seemed to favor Indonesia, as on the previous two occasions where both Indonesian teams made it to the final together in the same year, they emerged as the victors. 

In the 1994 finals, Indonesia claimed their ninth Thomas Cup trophy by defeating Malaysia 3-0, while also securing their second Uber Cup title by triumphing over China 3-2. Two years later, they successfully defended both titles, with the men's team prevailing over Denmark and the women's team triumphing against China.  

However, this time around, the hosts were determined not to stumble at the final hurdle. In the Thomas Cup final, China took control of the tie right from the beginning. They quickly surged ahead with a 2-0 lead. Yuqi showcased his prowess by defeating Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Anthony Ginting with a convincing score of 21-17, 21-6. Following that, Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang secured a hard-fought victory of 21-18, 17-21, 21-17 against Fajar Alfian and Rian Ardianto, further strengthening China's advantage.  

Indonesia managed to narrow the deficit when Jonatan Christie triumphed over Li Shifeng with a scoreline of 21-16, 15-21, 21-17. However, it was the unflustered Ren who sealed China's 11th title alongside teammate He Jiting. They came out on top in the second doubles match, defeating Shohibul Fikri and Bagas Maulana 21-11, 21-15.

China have made significant strides since their disappointing performance in the previous Thomas Cup, where they fell short of a top-four finish for the first time. Shi, who boasted an impressive record of six wins in as many matches throughout the tournament, attributed their rapid progress to a shift in mindset.  

"We now approach each game with a sense of equanimity," reflected Shi. "The pressure of a major competition is challenging to alleviate, but it is integral to acknowledge its presence. By burdening ourselves with excessive pressure and responsibility, we risk undermining our own performance. Therefore, it is crucial to adopt a more detached perspective towards the outcome of the matches. During this period, the biggest improvement I have made lies in adjusting my mindset. By prioritizing the process, we are more likely to achieve favorable results."

In contrast to the fiercely contested battles of the Thomas Cup, China's supremacy in this year's Uber Cup was more straightforward. The Chinese women's team had been unstoppable throughout the entire week, maintaining a flawless record. And that trend continued in the final. 

Indonesia's hopes rested heavily on Gregoria Mariska Tunjung making a breakthrough in the opening singles match against the formidable Chen Yufei. Yet, Chen left no room for doubt, completely shutting down her opponent in a commanding 21-7, 21-16 victory, all in a swift 38 minutes. 

The visitors' closest chance came in the third match, where Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo fearlessly took on the challenge against He Bingjiao. Despite being just 19 years old, Wardoyo showed composure and displayed her skills admirably. After clinching the first game and staying neck-and-neck in the third, Wardoyo had a genuine shot at bringing Indonesia back into the contest from a 0-2 deficit. But He's wealth of experience and keen sense of seizing opportunities propelled her to surge ahead in the crucial moments.  

In the doubles encounter, Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan left no chance for Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti and Ribka Sugiarto to even catch a glimpse of victory, delivering a one-sided thrashing. With a resounding 3-0 triumph, China lifted the Uber Cup for an unprecedented 16th time, reclaiming the title they had relinquished to South Korea two years ago.

The last time China completed a Thomas and Uber Cup double was back in 2012, right before the London Olympics. Their success didn't stop there, as the China went on to sweep all five gold medals in badminton at the Games. Now, as the Paris Olympics draw near, the question arises: Can China replicate this exceptional feat?