Chinese Veteran Badminton Head Coach lashed out by fans after Rio Olympics

Li Yongbo, 53 yo, China Head Coach for Badminton is likely to retire as Head Coach and will be assigned to an advisory panel along with some other coaching staff. After 24 years of service, the head coach is to be replaced by Xia Xuanze, former world champion and and two-time Olympic gold medallist Zhang Jun; take charge of singles and doubles respectively.

The Table Tennis and Badminton Management Centre of the General Administration of Sports of China officially announced in April last week. After being failed to achieve the expected number of Golds at Rio Olympics, 2016, he was demanded by the badminton fans to retire as the national coach. At Rio, Chinese team had won only 2 Gold medals; Men Singles and Men’s Doubles. Fans were disappointed as they didn’t find any woman player at the podium for Gold. He was lashed out on social media right after the Rio Olympics by Chinese social media users.

Since 2000, Li led Chinese National Badminton team to Gold medal at six Olympic games straight. At London Olympics in 2012, he pushed the team for 5 Gold medals. As quoted by Tengxun Sport, Li said, “After serving so many years in the post, I feel tired and I’ve realised it is time to step back and give the younger generation the opportunity to use their new thinking to lead the team.”

He added,

“Sometimes you’re strong, sometimes you fall back”.

“Indonesia was once strong and Denmark, too. China’s risen up but the champions eventually retire and the next generation comes up slowly”.

“So there will be some difficulties. This is normal”.

“But China will still have top players competing in future because we have a lot of juniors competing at high levels”.

“After these Olympics, our next generation will be strong”.

During his time as coach, over 24 years, Li has survived a number of controversies by delivering unprecedented results at global and Olympic tournaments. China will lose at least two of its Olympic gold medalists to retirement, with doubles veteran Fu Haifeng and twice singles champion Lin Dan playing their last Games.

Zhao Yunlei, who won mixed doubles gold at London and took bronze in Rio, is also tipped to quit before Tokyo in 2020.