Archive · 9 Nov 2025
China National Games: Badminton Stars Compete Amidst An Se-young's Dominance
Imagine a huge sports party in China where athletes from all over the country compete in many different sports, like a mini-Olympics just for China!
This year, the badminton players are a big focus.
Even though they are China's best, everyone is talking about a super talented player from Korea named An Se-young, who has been winning almost every game.
Some Chinese coaches and media are worried and think their own players need to figure out how to beat her.
The games are also a way for China to show off how good they are at sports and find new champions.
There's even talk about new technology and old Chinese exercises being part of the event.
It's a big deal for Chinese badminton, even though it's not part of the regular international schedule.
China's quadrennial National Games are underway in Shenzhen, featuring 36,000 athletes across 57 sports, including badminton.
The National Games are significant for Chinese badminton, fostering provincial rivalries and showcasing the nation's deep talent pool.
There is significant focus on the dominance of South Korean player An Se-young, with Chinese media and coaches reportedly concerned about their players' ability to compete with her.
Notable Chinese players like Chen Yufei and Wang Zhi Yi are participating, facing pressure to perform domestically amidst An Se-young's international success.
The event also highlights technological integration, such as AI cameras for broadcasting, and the promotion of traditional Chinese exercise forms like Baduanjin.
- Who
- Chinese badminton players, including top names like Chen Yufei, Wang Zhi Yi, Han Yue, Wang Chang, Liu Yuchen, and Feng Yanzhe, are participating.
- What
- The 15th Chinese National Games are taking place, featuring badminton as a significant sport. The event is notable for the focus on domestic rivalries and the backdrop of South Korean An Se-young's international dominance.
- When
- Currently ongoing, following the Olympics and before the World Tour Finals.
- Where
- Shenzhen, China
- Why
- The National Games are a crucial event for Chinese athletes to represent their provinces, gain competitive experience, and for the nation to display its sporting depth. It also serves as a platform to address challenges posed by international rivals like An Se-young.
Chinese Media & Coaches
Korean Media
Perception of An Se-young
Chinese Media & Coaches
Some Chinese coaches have allegedly underestimated An Se-young, viewing her as merely a 'fast player' and advising players to 'keep shaking her to drain her stamina.' Chinese media have criticized their own coaching staff for not understanding her potential.
Korean Media
Korean media highlights An Se-young's dominance and intelligent play, suggesting Chinese coaches have misjudged her, failing to find a solution to her strategic and psychological approach to the game.
Significance of National Games for Chinese Badminton
Chinese Media & Coaches
The National Games are a crucial domestic event for developing provincial talent, simulating Olympian pressure, and showcasing China's badminton depth, despite not being on the official international calendar. It's a testing ground for future talent and strategies.
Korean Media
The National Games are framed by Korean media as a platform where Chinese players compete in An Se-young's absence, implicitly acknowledging her current dominance over the international scene. They highlight Chinese media's own admissions of struggling to compete with her.
- Event
- 15th Chinese National Games
- Location
- Shenzhen, China
- Frequency
- Quadrennial (every four years)
- Participants
- 36,000 athletes in 57 sports
- Badminton Significance
- Showcases national depth, simulates Olympic pressure, and is a testing ground for emerging talent.
- An Se-young's Reign
- 118 weeks as world No. 1, including 56 consecutive weeks, with 9 titles in a recent season.