Zheng Siwei Announces Retirement from International Badminton, Bids Farewell at BWF World Tour Finals
Beijing (China), Nov 29: Olympic mixed doubles badminton gold medallist Zheng Siwei of China has announced his retirement from international competition, revealing that next month’s BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou will mark his “last dance” on the global stage.
In a heartfelt post on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, the 27-year-old explained that despite many expecting him to continue competing until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics or beyond, his decision to retire is part of his life plan. “Considering our competitiveness, we just won the Olympic gold and ranked among the top in the world rankings. As for why I suddenly stopped playing, my answer is, this is my life plan,” Zheng wrote.
Zheng cited a desire to focus on family as one of the key reasons behind his retirement. “My life pursuit focuses on both family and career. Everyone knows that I married relatively early, and now I’ve just had a second baby, so I want to return to the family,” he added.
The badminton star made history alongside his partner Huang Yaqiong at the Paris Olympics earlier this year, where they won the gold medal in mixed doubles with an undefeated 6-0 record. Reflecting on his career, Zheng noted the significant breakthroughs and records they set, despite facing numerous challenges and doubts along the way. “We finally achieved the Grand Slam,” he wrote.
Zheng chose the BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, which runs from December 11 to 15, as his farewell event because it is the city where his professional career began. His decision to retire marks the end of an illustrious chapter in badminton, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and resilience.
