Chen Long, a Chinese badminton legend, has announced his retirement at the age of 34, capping off a brilliant career that includes Olympic gold and two world crowns.
Chen Long, a Chinese badminton legend, has announced his retirement at the age of 34, capping off a brilliant career that includes Olympic gold and two world crowns. The former world number one won the Olympic gold medal in Rio in 2016 and silver in the pandemic-affected Tokyo Olympics in 2021. He hasn’t played since and has now officially retired, following in the footsteps of great Chinese player and colleague Lin Dan, who announced his retirement in 2020.
“This is a trying time for me. “It’s so difficult to say goodbye,” Chen said late Friday on the Twitter-like Weibo.
“At this special time, I’m overcome with emotion.” I’d want to thank the Chinese badminton team, my family, and the fans.
“Badminton is my life’s passion.” “I was fortunate to be able to put on the national jersey and play for my country, because not all dreams come true in life,” he continued.
Chen’s accomplishments were sometimes overlooked by Lin’s more magnetic personality, but he was a major success in his own right, capturing the world title in 2014 and 2015.
He also won bronze at the London 2012 Olympics, giving him an Olympic medal in every colour.
