Chinese badminton star He Bing Jiao has announced her retirement from international competition, bringing an end to a successful career that spanned over a decade. The 27-year-old shuttler made the decision shortly after securing a silver medal in the women’s singles at the Paris Olympics.
Despite stepping away from the international stage, Bing Jiao will continue to compete in domestic tournaments. Her decision comes after a hard-fought silver medal match against world number one An Se Young of South Korea. Bing Jiao’s path to the final saw her defeat India’s two-time Olympic medalist, P.V. Sindhu, in the round of 16. Notably, Bing Jiao narrowly missed out on a bronze medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021, losing to Sindhu.
Bing Jiao’s talent emerged early in her career, showcasing her skills as a teenager. In 2014, she finished as runner-up to Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi at the BWF World Junior Championships. Later that same year, she triumphed at the Youth Olympic Games held in Nanjing, China, by defeating Yamaguchi in the final.
The left-handed shuttler’s career record stands at an impressive 336-125 across 461 singles matches. She is remembered for her sportsmanship and her tribute to Spanish badminton legend Carolina Marin, who was forced to retire due to injury in their semifinal match at the Paris Olympics. Bing Jiao honored Marin by wearing a Spanish pin on the podium.
While her international career may be over, Bing Jiao’s legacy as a talented and respected athlete will undoubtedly continue to inspire young badminton players in China and around the world.
