TAKE 1 Road to Olympics

China is expected to have a strong showing in badminton at the Paris Olympics. Xie Yuqi and Li Shifeng have secured their spots in men's singles, while Chen Yufei is a defending champion in women's singles. China's Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang are leading in men's doubles, and Chen Qingchun and Jia Yifan are dominating in women's doubles. In mixed doubles, Huang Dongping and Feng Yunche are leading the way. Indonesia also has strong contenders, including Anthony Sinusuke Ginting in men's singles and Gregoria Mariska Tunjong in women's singles. South Korea has a strong team with Xie Xiongjie and Kang Ming-hyuk in men's doubles, Ahn Se-young in women's singles, and Kim Seo-yong and Kong Hee-yong in women's doubles. Other countries to watch out for include Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, India, and Chinese Taipei. Welcome to Badminton Unlimited's special update on the Race to Paris Olympic qualification, a quest towards Badminton's most sought-after medal. The journey to Olympic glory began 10 months ago, so let's get you up to speed with a player's band for the Olympics and the final push for those hoping to make the cut in the next two months. At Paris 2024, a total of 15 medals will be distributed across five events. Let's first familiarise ourselves with the qualification system. The only member association on course to filling up the maximum of 10 quoted places across all five disciplines, China are set for another strong showing in France. In men's singles, former All England Open champions Xie Yuqi and Li Shifeng have almost certainly secured their tickets to Paris. After a 13-month title drought highlighted by five final losses, Xie finally broke the duck in India to capture the Super 750 event. As for the 24-year-old Li, he will be making his first appearance at the Games. Li's career title count stands at five, but it's worth noting that two of his triumphs were in multi-sport events at the 2018 Youth Olympics and last year's Asian Games. Women's singles defending champion Chen Yufei has comfortably locked her place with a second spot still up in the air. Her bing jiao holds her slightly, but Han Yue and Wang Jiyi are closing in with encouraging results recently. Wang picked up her first Super 500 title at the Estora in January, while Han is banking on her maiden year-end finals experience for the needed boost. Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang, who surged to the top of the race to Paris with four titles during qualification, will lead China's charge. Tokyo silver medalist Liu Yuchun, meanwhile, is on track to return with new partner Ou Xinyi. The most consistent pair in women's doubles, Chen Qingchun and Jia Yifan, captured seven titles including the World Championships and World Tour finals. The most consistent pair in women's doubles, Chen Qingchun and Jia Yifan, captured seven titles including the World Championships and World Tour finals. Battle for the second spot is much more intense. Before Wang Jiu, Yu Shengxu and Tang Ning were trailing Zhang Shushan and Shengyu. However, younger duo Liu Yu and Tan have turned the tables with victories over their teammates in two finals this year. Battle for the second spot is much more intense. Before Wang Jiu, Liu Yu Shengxu and Tang Ning were trailing Zhang Shushan and Shengyu. Battle for the second spot is much more intense. Before Wang Jiu, Liu Yu Shengxu and Tang Ning were trailing Zhang Shushan and Shengyu. Battle for the second spot is much more intense. Before Wang Jiu, Liu Yu Shengxu and Tang Ning were trailing Zhang Shushan and Shengyu. However, younger duo Liu Yu and Tan have turned the tables with victories over their teammates in two finals this year. A three-way battle in mixed doubles was on the cards at the start of the qualification process. Under the lead of Huang Dongping, the Olympic champion together with Feng Yunche bagged four titles to eliminate Jiang Chengbang and Wei Yaxin. A three-way battle in mixed doubles was on the cards at the start of the qualification process. Under the lead of Huang Dongping, the Olympic champion together with Feng Yunche bagged four titles to eliminate Jiang Chengbang and Wei Yaxin. With their second trip to the Games secured, courtesy of six titles, Zheng Sihui and Huang Jiazhong have their sights set on the ultimate prize. Jiang Chengbang and Wei Yaxin. Indonesia hold the second most successful position behind China at the Games. Even though recent performances have not met their high standards, expectations for the team to perform well in Paris remain strong. In men's singles, Tokyo bronze medalist Anthony Sinusuke Ginting as well as Jonathan Christie look set for their second stint at the Olympics and a chance to correct their shortcomings. The country's hopes in women's singles rests on Gregoria Mariska Tunjong, who had a landmark year in 2023. She became the first Indonesian woman to win a Super 500 title at the Kumamoto Masters, notably defeating Olympic champion Chen Yufei. Despite an overall dip in form, Indonesia's men's pairs remain in intense competition for the Paris spots. Barring any major upset, the first quota play should go the way of Fadja Alfian and Mohamed Adrian Adianto. Although they failed to win any title within a qualification window, their more consistent performance has been key. The second spot will go right down to the wire. Mohamed Shohibul Fikri and Bagas Maulana's lead over Leo Rolikarnando and Daniel Martin was greatly reduced after the latter's successful title defence at the Daihatsu Indonesia Masters. But both pairs must find a way to squeeze into the top eight to claim their place. Meanwhile, women's doubles Olympic champion Apriyana Rahayu prioritises enjoyment of the game as she looks to defend her title with new partner Siti Fadja Silva. Meanwhile, women's doubles Olympic champion Apriyana Rahayu prioritises enjoyment of the game as she looks to defend her title with new partner Siti Fadja Silva. But both pairs must first find a way to squeeze into the top eight to claim their place. After this short break, we continue to build a list on the ones to watch from Asia. Three-time Olympian Roshanok Intanon prepares for one final expedition. And players present five fun facts about the summer games. Welcome back to Badminton Unlimited as we continue our update on the Race to Paris rankings with two months left in the Olympic qualification period. As the biggest winner of the World Championships last year, bagging three of five titles, one would expect no less from Team Korea at Paris 2024. Xie Xiongjie, who won a double world crown, will shoulder the responsibility in two disciplines, favouring his chances in a less dominant men's doubles field. Xie Xiongjie, who won a double world crown, will shoulder the responsibility in two disciplines, favouring his chances in a less dominant men's doubles field. Echoing his partner's sentiment, Kang Ming-hyuk has also set specific areas to improve on and to strengthen their overall ability. Prior to their victory at the World Championships, Xie and Xie Yujong had only won four Super 500 titles, but their breakthrough in Copenhagen taught them to aim high. World No. 1 Ahn Se-young is another prospect to medal at the Games. The 22-year-old enjoyed a successful qualification, capturing eight titles, including the world crown, Asian Games gold, and two Super 1000 events. Korea's strength and depth in women's doubles will most likely ensure them two spots in the draw. Korea's strength and depth in women's doubles will most likely ensure them two spots in the draw. Hoping to add to their total medal count of seven are Tokyo's bronze medalists, Kim Seo-yong and Kong Hee-yong. Korea's strength and depth in women's doubles will most likely ensure them two spots in the draw. Hoping to add to their total medal count of seven are Tokyo's bronze medalists, Kim Seo-yong and Kong Hee-yong. While 29-year-old Lee So-hee will lead younger compatriot Baek Ha-nang. As excitement builds ahead of badminton's ninth appearance at the Olympic Games, let's enjoy these five fun facts presented by your favourite players. Is it Copenhagen or Hagen? But their breakthrough in Copenhagen taught them to aim high. The Olympic qualification period has been a physical and emotional rollercoaster for Terry He and Jessica Tan of Singapore. A smart change in strategy in the latter half of 2023 saw the mixed pair opt to play lower-tier tournaments to gain valuable points. Add on a semi-final finish at the Malaysia Open in January 2024, He and Tan find themselves within the qualification places. For Japanese women's pairs, Olympic qualification is a different kind of trial given the exceptional talent within the team. For Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Ushida, who are looking to debut at the Olympics, their main goal now is to stay ahead of two other pairs. Two-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi is Japan's best hope for a medal. Despite being out injured a few months, her strong start to qualification has secured her ticket to Paris. Tokyo bronze medalist Aaron Chia and So Yik's place also looks a done deal. The focus has thus been turned to being Olympic ready. The focus has thus been turned to being Olympic ready. The other set of Malaysians to keep an eye on are mixed doubles duo Cheung Chan Chia and Tsoi Wei, who have standed off the challenge from their more experienced teammates and are looking good for Paris. Thailand's three-time Olympian Rachanok Intanon emerged in front of a four-way internal battle despite missing two months of action last year due to injury. The veteran shuttler wants to enjoy herself on court, knowing this may well be her final Olympic outing. Thailand's best chance of an Olympic medal lies squarely on the shoulders of world champion Khun Labat Wititsan, who recently recovered from a back injury to be fighting ready for Paris. For India, two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu no longer bears the burden of being their sole medal prospect, with Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy and Shirag Shetty's recent exploit at the Asian Games making them overwhelming favorites. Chinese Taipei will be feeling confident about their medal chances, with Tai Tzu Ying being in sizzling form this past year. Tokyo 2020 champions Li Yang and Wang Qilin also look certain to make it to Paris, but have yet to find their optimum level of competitiveness. for India, two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu no longer bears the burden of being their sole medal prospect, with Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy and Shirag Shetty's recent exploit at the For India, two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu no longer bears the burden of being their sole medal prospect. Welcome back to the final part of the Race to Paris update on Badminton Unlimited. Denmark will not be the biggest badminton contingent at this year's Olympic Games, but they certainly will be one of the strongest medal contenders in Paris. In men's singles, Victor Axelsen and Anders Andersen are ranked in the top five of the Race to Paris. In fact, Axelsen's form since winning gold in Tokyo has been nothing short of remarkable. 31 tournaments played, 19 finals contested, 18 titles won. It has all but guaranteed the world's number one place in Paris. Now in the final push to Paris, thoughtful preparation and keeping himself fit and ready will undoubtedly make Axelsen a frontrunner once more. Denmark have also found mighty challenges in the men's doubles discipline. Kim Astrup and Anna-Scarlett Rasmussen are peaking at the right time, winning five titles in six finals in the second half of last year. As a result, the Danes sit comfortably within the top five of the Race to Paris standings. Having already played at the Tokyo Olympics, the world number fours will be counting on their experience as they seek the podium in 2024. While Badminton is well-established at the Olympics, it only made its debut in 1992 in Barcelona. That's 32 years ago, well before many current players were even born. So just how much do they know about Badminton's Olympic history? Let's find out. Okay, Paula, you forgot the coming up? I did? Okay. I thought I did that before. Okay, let me go. No, no. You were like starting, then I stopped you. Okay. And the other one is the first sentence of the Denmark, I don't like the ending tone. Like Denmark will not be the biggest badminton contingent. Okay. So my coming up was in where? The end of... Item 13. Item 13. Next. Okay. Next up on Badminton Unlimited, we speak to the Danish dads bound for Paris. And can players bluff their way out of an Olympic history test? And what was the other one? You didn't like the Danish thingy? Yeah, the first paragraph of the Denmark will not be the biggest badminton contingent. Okay. You didn't like... What did you like about that? The ending tone. I don't know how to explain. Okay. You just read again. Yeah. Okay. All right. Denmark will not be the biggest badminton contingent at this year's Olympic Games, but they certainly will be one of the strongest medal contenders in Paris. Okay. Denmark will not be the biggest badminton contingent at this year's Olympic Games, but they certainly will be one of the strongest medal contenders in Paris. Okay. Denmark will not be the biggest badminton contingent at this year's Olympic Games, but they certainly will be one of the strongest medal contenders in Paris. Okay. Denmark will not be the biggest badminton contingent at this year's Olympic Games,