Original title: Chinese doubles star Zhao Yunlei inducted into 2022 BWF Hall of Fame
The reporter learned from the China Badminton Association on the 21st that on June 21st, Beijing time, the World Badminton Federation announced the 2022 Hall of Fame list. Zhao Yunlei, a Chinese badminton doubles star and a gold medalist in women’s doubles mixed doubles at the London Olympics, was selected.
Zhao Yunlei has won 2 Olympic gold medals and 5 World Championship gold medals in her career. She has won the Sudirman Cup 3 times and the Uber Cup 3 times with her teammates, and won a total of 13 world championships. It is worth mentioning that Zhao Yunlei won the “double crown” at the London Olympics and two World Championships. She is the only badminton player who has won two gold medals in one Olympics, and the only one who has won two consecutive gold medals. A badminton player who won two doubles titles at two World Championships. In addition, she teamed up with Zhang Nan to create a record of 236 weeks in the mixed doubles ranking world number one.
According to the BWF, Zhao Yunlei was the most versatile doubles player of her era. For a long time, her dominance in mixed doubles and women’s doubles was unmatched. BWF President Paul Eric Hoyer said: “Being inducted into the BWF Hall of Fame is the greatest tribute to a badminton player. The Hall of Fame is designed to honour the best of the best, and Zhao Yunlei deserves her place. Win the Olympics or World Championships Gold is the dream of most athletes, and Zhao Yunlei’s ‘double’ in both competitions is an amazing achievement.”
This is another Chinese athlete selected for the BWF Hall of Fame after Zhang Ning, Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng. Zhang Jun, chairman of the Chinese Badminton Association, said that Zhao Yunlei, as an outstanding representative of the badminton industry, expects her to continue to bring her love for the sport, give full play to her advantages, and contribute to the vigorous development of the world badminton cause. At the same time, I hope that young athletes will set an example for their predecessors and work hard to achieve great results.
Being inducted into the Hall of Fame, Zhao Yunlei said this is the greatest affirmation of her athlete career. She said that badminton not only taught herself how to win the game, but more importantly, taught herself how to face any difficulties in life and on the road of life calmly. After retiring, Zhao Yunlei actively participated in the promotion of youth badminton. She hopes to pass on the spirit of sports and the Olympic Games to more young people.
“Being elected to the Hall of Fame is a new beginning for me. I will continue to be proactive and innovative, and have been committed to the development and promotion of badminton.” Zhao Yunlei said.
Also inducted into the Hall of Fame with Zhao Yunlei is the Indonesian doubles star Liliana Nasir, who competed in badminton with her contemporary. On June 24, Beijing time, the BWF Hall of Fame will hold an online ceremony, at which time Zhao Yunlei and Nasir will be officially honored. (Reporter Xing Chong)
