Chen Long reacts during his men's singles quarterfinal against Chou Tien-chen of Chinese Taipei at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, July 31, 2021. (Xinhua/Guo Chen)
SUZHOU, China, May 19 (Xinhua) -- China's Olympic champion Chen Long announced his retirement from international badminton at the ongoing 2023 Sudirman Cup here on Friday.
Chen, 34, is China's most successful badminton men's singles player after Lin Dan, taking Olympic bronze, gold and silver medals in the men's singles at London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 respectively. He also won the World Championships twice in 2014 and 2015, as well as five Sudirman Cup and three Thomas Cup wins.
Chen in action during the men's singles final against Viktor Axelsen of Denmark at Tokyo 2020, Aug. 2, 2021. (Xinhua/Xue Yubin)
"I decided to retire from the national team after discussing with my family, because I wasn't able to accompany my son for a long time during my preparations for Tokyo 2020. It was not easy for my wife to take care of the whole family all by herself," Chen said at a retirement ceremony held by Chinese Badminton Association.
Chen has not participated in international tournaments since losing the men's singles final to Denmark's Viktor Axelsen at Tokyo 2020. The last event he competed in was China's 2021 National Games. ■
