On May 4, at the Phoenix Gymnasium of the Xiamen Olympic Sports Center, the Chinese national badminton team claimed their 14th Sudirman Cup title. The team celebrated passionately after overcoming numerous challenges to secure the hard-fought victory — a triumph that underscored their exceptional cohesion and unity.

China faced considerable pressure during this year’s Sudirman Cup. On one hand, their biggest rival, South Korea, was in strong contention; Korean media even claimed before the tournament that their team had a high chance of winning in Xiamen. Apart from men's singles, South Korea had the strength to challenge China in most events. On the other hand, Team China also encountered internal difficulties. Men’s singles player Shi Yuqi lost around 6 kilograms due to gastrointestinal illness before the tournament. Veteran mixed doubles player Huang Dongping was not in peak form, and many post-2000 generation players were shouldering major responsibilities in the tournament for the first time, adding uncertainty.

Despite the obstacles, China prevailed.

"This was my fifth Sudirman Cup, and the pressure this time was unprecedented," said Yang Ming, head coach of China’s mixed doubles team. Mixed doubles is the opening match in each tie and sets the tone for the rest. With top pair Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong stepping away from the national team, it was uncertain who would rise to the occasion. As the tournament progressed, experienced duo Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping stepped up. Participating in her fifth Sudirman Cup, Huang has evolved from a rookie into a mature and responsible veteran. Turning 30 during the tournament, she demonstrated unwavering spirit and resilience. Feng, too, emerged stronger after overcoming the disappointment of the previous Sudirman Cup semifinals.

Shi Yuqi had been troubled by illness leading up to the tournament, raising concerns over his fitness. Despite feeling unwell the night before the final, when asked if he could play, he firmly responded, “No problem.” He then delivered a dominant performance, winning 21–5, 21–5, laying a solid foundation for the team’s victory. Overcome with emotion, Shi shed tears after the win.

In the women’s singles, after rising star Wang Zhiyi lost in the group stage, veteran Chen Yufei stepped up. She won her quarterfinal and semifinal matches, including a critical victory over Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi, proving herself as a dependable team player: “As long as I’m on court, I’ll give my all to win for the team.”

The young women’s doubles pair Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning made their debut in the knockout rounds — and in the final, no less — against top Korean duo Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee. The two delivered a spirited performance and clinched the decisive point for China. Olympic champions Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan offered strong mentorship, even stepping aside during the award ceremony to let their younger teammates take the spotlight due to a podium space limit.

This passing of the torch between generations strengthened China’s team unity. Though Wang Zhiyi lost to An Se-young in the final, she gave her all: “I played three matches this tournament and learned a lot — it was a great experience. Watching the veterans overcome adversity really inspired me.”

"Every player who steps onto the court gives their all without dwelling on who won or lost before them. Even if someone loses, the entire team rallies behind them," said Zhang Jun, President of the Chinese Badminton Association and head coach of doubles. He credited the team's unity for their success in overcoming pressure and adversity: “Everyone gave their best, whether on court or off.”

This unity extended beyond the players to the coaches. “The five coaching groups are our backbone,” Zhang said, expressing gratitude to the entire coaching staff. Every day during the tournament, coaches from each discipline — Sun Jun (men’s singles), Luo Yigang (women’s singles), Chen Qiqiu (men’s doubles), Tao Jiaming (women’s doubles), and Yang Ming (mixed doubles) — cheered each other on.

Former champions Fu Haifeng and Cai Yun, now part of the expert team, assisted the men’s and women’s doubles squads during over a month of pre-tournament training in Jinjiang. Their reunion as the legendary “Feng-Yun” pair brought not only technical support but also powerful inspiration. Many younger players see them as role models — including Chen Boyang and Liu Yi, who won in their sole group stage appearance, and newcomers Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin, who also became world champions through this Cup.

Since China first won the Sudirman Cup in 1995, the team has now claimed the title 14 times, making them the most successful team in the tournament’s history. “Team competitions really boost morale,” Zhang Jun concluded. “After this tournament, I believe both core and younger players — even the backups — will have gained a lot. I hope they can carry this momentum into future international competitions and continue to showcase the excellence of Team China.”