29th September 2026 – (Nagoya) China’s half‑century run of podium finishes in Asian Games men’s singles badminton ended in Aichi‑Nagoya, with neither defending champion Li Shifeng nor teammate Shi Yuqi advancing beyond the early rounds. It is the first time since China began competing at the Games in 1974 that no Chinese player has reached the men’s singles podium.
Li, 26, lost from a game up to South Korea’s Choi Ji‑hoon in the round of 32 on 26th September, going down 21‑18, 19‑21, 18‑21. A day later, Shi, 30, fell 17‑21, 23‑25 to another South Korean, Yoo Tae‑bin, in the round of 16. Both results marked a sharp reversal from Hangzhou in 2023, when Li and Shi contested an all‑China final.
Despite the men’s singles setback, China’s broader badminton campaign remained competitive. The women’s team retained their title, while the men took silver after a 3‑2 defeat to Indonesia in the final on 24th September. China also progressed deep in other individual events, ensuring a continued presence on the medal table.
The results arrived amid an organisational shake‑up. On 8th September, Zhang Xin was elected president of the Chinese Badminton Association, with Li Lun named vice‑president, while several senior figures including former president Zhang Jun and vice‑president Xia Xuanze were reported to be under investigation for serious disciplinary violations by state authorities. The new leadership has pledged stricter governance as the national squad regroups from its men’s singles disappointment.