There is no secret that, when it comes to badminton, it’s Asia that lead the way. It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about the World Championships, the Olympics, Thomas or Uber cup, so long as there’s a racquet and a shuttlecock, expect the Asians to be the dominant figure.
That is why it is no secret that badminton at the upcoming SBOTOP Olympics 2024 in Paris will be dominated by the East once again.
Sure, Europe may sneak in a contender—or two—at some categories, but the tournament’s podium places have already been reserved for Asia’s finest shuttlers.
China are heavy favourites
If you ain’t first, you’re last.
What was Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly’s quip in Talladega Nights is unanimously applied to China when it comes to badminton.
The Chinese national badminton team—the best in business—have unprecedented dominance in the sport. 11 Thomas Cup titles, 16 Uber Cups, and 13 Sudirman Cups. They also completed the clean sweep at the 2012 Olympics in London.
In Paris, their target remains the same: win everything.
For the men’s division, look no further than Shi Yuqi to raise China’s banner, as they attempt to bring home the bacon after Chen Long was beaten by Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen in the 2020 final.
The 28-year-old is in fine fettle this season, having already won four tournaments, along with winning all six matches in China’s Thomas Cup victory earlier this year.
According to Olympics 2024 news, the former boy’s singles titlist at the Asian Junior Championships is now ready than ever—mentality-wise—to achieve his Olympic dream.
“Good performance comes from managing psychological challenges well,” he said in an interview.
In the women’s division, Chen Yufei is raring to defend her title as she heads to Paris in search of a second consecutive Olympic gold.
Chen would be China’s highest-ranked shuttler in the women’s bracket as world number one, Wang Zhi Yi, failed to secure an Olympic spot.
In the women’s doubles department, Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan would look to avenge their defeat in Tokyo, whilst mixed doubles partners Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong hope that this could finally be their year after losing to their compatriots in 2020.
Indonesia, others look to spoil the fun
Indonesia are one of the biggest threats to China’s plan of hoarding all the gold medals in Paris.
Like China, they were able to secure their qualification for all badminton events, and are second only to their Asian rivals in terms of World Championship success.
Their highest-ranked men’s player, Anthony Ginting, would be ecstatic if he could improve on his bronze finish in Tokyo. He’s yet to win a tournament in the year, but is hopeful he could turn things around when the games start.
Meanwhile, Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu are looking to make it two in a row after winning Indonesia’s first women’s doubles gold in Tokyo.
In men’s singles, Viktor Axelsen—the only European to clinch a medal in the 2020 Olympics—is looking to dust another Asian contender in his way after sweeping 2016 champion Chen Long (21-15, 21-12).
Over to South Korea, one of Asia’s badminton powerhouses look to beat the Olympics 2024 betting odds as they plan to make a strong case for winning their first gold medal since 2008.
Their best hope for a successful Olympic run is put on the shoulders of An Se-young. The 22-year-old is a force to be reckoned with, winning the World Championships in Copenhagen (2023), the Uber Cup (2022), and South Korea’s first individual badminton gold in the Asian Games after 29 years.
Ranked number two in the world, An won three tournaments this year—Singapore Open, French Open, and Malaysia Open—and only fell short against China’s Chen (21-14, 14-21, 21-18).
And in the event the two would cross paths at Porte de La Chappelle, there would surely be fireworks on display.
Chinese Taipei’s Tai Tzu-ying is another player looking for an Olympic breakthrough after coming close against defending champion Chen (21-18, 19-21, 21-18).
At 30, Paris will perhaps be her last chance to bring home the gold, and follow her compatriots Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin who bested their Chinese counterparts in Tokyo.
An accomplished veteran, Tai had won everything there is to win at the senior level. She is a three-time Asian champion and won the Asian Games in Jakarta in 2018.
Paris would be the culmination of her career.
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