China News Service, Hangzhou, September 11th: How did you become the “First Sister of National Feather” who was elected as the torch bearer for Generation Z for two consecutive years?
Author Guo Qiyu Wang Shanting
From climbing the Badaling Great Wall to complete the Beijing Winter Olympics torch relay in 2022, to serving as the Hangzhou Asian Games torchbearer and passing the torch again “at home”, badminton Olympic champion Chen Yufei said it was “very honored” to “pass on the torch” for two consecutive years. .
As the representative of China’s “Generation Z” athletes, Chen Yufei’s remarkable “happy” temperament and outstanding performance on the field have made her the “first sister” of the national badminton women’s singles. A few days ago, reporters went into Chen Yufei’s home to explore the young badminton player’s “feather flight” journey.
Chinese badminton player Chen Yufei.Photo provided by interviewee
Chen Yufei was born in Tonglu County, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province in 1998. On the court, she has short hair and is smart and elegant, giving people the impression of a “tomboy”. Usually busy training and preparing for competitions, Chen Yufei doesn’t have much time to go home, but in the eyes of her parents, she is still the little girl they remember.
“Yufei has been energetic since she was a child. She is never tired all day long and rarely sits quietly. We once thought she had ADHD.” Chen Yufei’s father, Chen Zhe, is a sports enthusiast. He saw that his daughter was active and coordinated. Not bad, I just wanted to send her to a vocational school to see if she was a sports talent. By chance, Chen Yufei went to Hangzhou Chen Jinglun Sports School to practice badminton.
Compared with her father’s decisiveness, Chen Yufei’s mother Zhao Genfeng was very hesitant at the time: “I was reluctant to let my daughter leave home at such a young age, and my grandma firmly disagreed.”
Later, after the coach came to the house repeatedly to do work, Zhao Genfeng finally handed over the decision-making power to his daughter. “I’ll go”, 6-year-old Chen Yufei was very determined. Until she entered the Zhejiang Provincial Badminton Team, Zhao Genfeng tried to persuade Chen Yufei to go home because she felt sorry for her daughter’s hard training.
“Now that we have decided on this path, we must stick to it.” In this way, Chen Yufei entered the Zhejiang Provincial Team at the age of 8, the National Youth Team at the age of 13, the second national team at the age of 14, and won her first world championship at the age of 18. It’s like a genius girl “cheating” all the way.
Chen Yufei said: “I have a little talent, but I can’t reach the level of a genius girl. I can play today because of faith, determination and hard work. This is my talent, and I believe I can achieve the ultimate talent.”
Chen Yufei wore the “Star” dress of the Chinese sports delegation at the Hangzhou Asian Games.Photo by Li Jun
At the end of 2016, a World Youth Championship women’s singles gold medal made many fans remember the young player Chen Yufei. In Bilbao, Spain, Chen Yufei regained the World Youth Championship women’s singles championship for the Chinese badminton team that had been missing for nine years, and also brought a successful end to her 18-year-old career.
Facing numerous and intensive competitions, athletes are often under double pressure on their bodies and minds. Timely self-adjustment is an essential quality for first-class athletes. With a “happy badminton” mentality, Chen Yufei told herself to enjoy every game and learn from every opponent.
“Practice badminton is very hard, and it is difficult to achieve results.” Chen Zhe told reporters that athletes will have some injuries more or less, but Chen Yufei has always “reported good things but not bad things”, and her love for badminton has never changed.
Chen Yufei displays her medals and trophies at home.Photo provided by interviewee
In Chen Yufei’s home, the reporter saw a “wall of honor” with medals and trophies from various competitions she participated in. Although she has won numerous awards, Chen Yufei still lacks an Asian Games gold medal in her medal cabinet.
The 2018 Jakarta Asian Games was Chen Yufei’s first time participating in the Asian Games. She ended up in the quarterfinals in the women’s singles and only finished second in the women’s team finals. As a native of Hangzhou, this year’s Asian Games held “at home” is of great significance to Chen Yufei. She admitted that she is both stressed and looking forward to it.
As Chen Yufei said after winning her first championship of the season at the 2023 Badminton World Tour Indonesia Open in June this year, “Thank you Chen Yufei for defeating Chen Yufei.” She hopes to defeat herself again at the Hangzhou Asian Games. (over)
2023-09-11 08:00:38
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