Hardships can't beat shuttler Shi Yuqi, but only make him stronger

Shi Yuqi of China has risen to World No. 1 in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) men's singles rankings after a dominant performance so far this season, and secured qualification for the upcoming 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.

But on the road to his recent success, Shi had to overcome a number of obstacles, including painful losses at the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2021 and a 10-month suspension.

During his Olympic debut in Tokyo three years ago, Shi was swept by eventual gold medalist Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in the men's singles quarterfinals. He scored no more than 13 points in the two games, failing to put up much resistance.

After working harder following the Tokyo Games, Shi continued to improve and grow into the role of China's top men's singles player. But he was suspended in October 2021 by the Chinese Badminton Association for "making inappropriate remarks" about his withdrawal from the Thomas Cup semifinals against Japan's Kento Momota.

It took Shi quite a bit of time to regain his form after the suspension, as his strength seemingly failed him, and he even thought about dropping out of the Paris Olympic qualifiers in 2023.

"In the first half of 2023, I was like, 'maybe I couldn't do this anymore'," Shi told the China Media Group (CMG). "I began to doubt myself and wondered if I could still beat others in the competition."

When asked how he managed to bounce back, Shi said he didn't know how to explain the transformation, but it's clear that Sun Jun, the Chinese national team's men's singles coach, played a key role in his growth.

Sun was Shi's coach when he won the boys singles gold at the Nanjing Youth Olympics in east China's Jiangsu Province in 2014. After Sun moved into the men's singles coaching post with the national team in 2022, the two took some time to rebuild their connection.

"Coach Sun knows me well," Shi said. "Badminton has become more complicated than before and details will decide if you can perform your best. I want to win. I want to stay hungry for victory, but I'm also in a mindset I like, that I don't have to be the one in the top position."

"Shi's performance this year was excellent. He won four titles and looked confident in training," Sun told CMG. "I think today's Shi Yuqi can match Axelsen."

"I want to win the title, but I will try not to stress about it," Shi said. "I will try to maintain the good form I'm in right now, and improve it if possible. I will give my best in Paris."