Chinese legend Chen Long returns to the badminton court
A familiar figure has been drawing curious glances at the BWF World Junior Championships in Guwahati, not from the court, but from the coach’s corner. Spectators expecting to follow the young Chinese squad often find their attention drifting to the animated mentor guiding them.
That mentor is none other than Chen Long, the three-time Olympic medallist and double World Champion now navigating life on the other side of the sidelines.
A new presence
Now 36, Chen is in India with China’s junior national team, already celebrating three medals. His lively demeanour behind the boys’ singles players, clapping forcefully, signalling instructions, and even bursting from his chair during a tense semifinal, has become a spectacle of its own.
For the teenagers chasing a place in China’s notoriously competitive senior setup, having the former world No. 1 watching over every rally carries both excitement and expectation.
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Speaking to reporters at ESPN, Chen admitted that his biggest task is converting his playing knowledge into coaching purpose. “How I can use all the experience I have gathered over the years to teach the players and help them to perform better in the court and win is my challenge as a coach now,” he said. He added that he reminds the squad to stay centred on each point rather than worrying about the score.
From podium to bench
Chen’s last appearance at a major event was the Tokyo 2021 Olympic final, a match that, unbeknownst to most, became the closing chapter of his phenomenal playing career. He skipped the BWF circuit afterward and officially retired in 2023 to focus on family life with his wife, former world No. 1 Wang Shixian.
But, as he explained, his connection to the sport never faded. “After retirement, I thought about it for a time and realised I still had enthusiasm for badminton. So I returned as coach to continue to work with badminton,” he said.
Emotional courtside role
His behaviour in Guwahati has sparked light-hearted chatter that he shows more emotion now than he ever did as a player. Chen didn’t deny it, noting that coaching triggers a different kind of tension. “It’s more stressful as coach for sure… I do not need to play on court to feel the same stress as the player,” he said.
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He acknowledged that he once kept a calm facade to stay focused. Now, he tries to project reassurance. “If they win one point, I will cheer them, but if they lose also, I smile and tell them it’s okay, continue to play.”
Chen won the World Junior titles in 2007 before rising to the top of the senior game. With China’s youngsters responding well to his guidance, he is taking his new chapter steadily, but the hope of matching his playing success with coaching achievements lingers in the background.
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