Host China eyes record 14th Sudirman Cup title

Host China aims to defend its Sudirman Cup title and secure a record-extending 14th crown in the biennial tournament, as the world badminton mixed-team championship begins Sunday in Xiamen, eastern China's Fujian Province.

Established in 1989, the 19th edition of the event will see 16 teams compete across men's and women's singles, doubles and mixed doubles. Only three nations, including China, South Korea and Indonesia, have ever claimed the trophy, with China dominating recent years by winning the past three editions since 2019.

Chen Yufei (L) of China poses with the trophy during the award ceremony of the BWF Sudirman Cup in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, May 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)

Boasting a strong roster, China's squad features four Olympic champions in its women's lineup: Chen Yufei (women's singles), Chen Qingchen, Jia Yifan (women's doubles) and Huang Dongping (mixed doubles).

On the men's side, world No. 1 Shi Yuqi leads the singles charge, while the Paris Olympic silver medalist pair Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang anchor the men's doubles. Rising stars like Wang Zhiyi, Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin add further depth.

In the group stage, teams are divided into four pools, with the top two advancing to the knockout stage. China, in Group A, will face Thailand, led by men's singles world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn. China's Hong Kong also includes star players Lee Cheuk Yiu and newly crowned Asian champions Tang Chun Man/Tse Ying Suet. Algeria rounds out the group as an underdog.

Four-time winner South Korea will potentially be China's toughest challenger in the knockouts. Olympic gold medalist An Se-young, unbeaten in her four tournaments this year, spearheads South Korea's women's singles, while their doubles squads remain formidable despite weaker men's singles prospects.

Other contenders include Japan, with singles aces Kodai Naraoka and Akane Yamaguchi, plus women's doubles pair Nami Matsuyama/Chiharu Shida. Indonesia and Denmark, meanwhile, field stronger men's teams but lack balanced squads.

"Playing at home gives us extra motivation," said China's Shi, competing in his fifth Sudirman Cup. "The team atmosphere, with fans and teammates cheering, will elevate our performance."

The tournament will kick off on Sunday, with the final set for May 4.