On the evening of August 2, Beijing time, the first badminton gold medal of the Paris Olympics was born in the La Chapelle Stadium. In the mixed doubles final, the national "IELTS" pair Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong defeated Korea's Kim Won Ho/Zheng Na Eun 2-0, and finally fulfilled the gold medal dream and achieved the gold medal grand slam in their second Olympic final.
"IELTS" is the strongest mixed doubles pair in the international badminton world today, and as early as 2018 and 2019, the two won two consecutive World Championships mixed doubles titles. From 2018 to 2021, during the three-year period, Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong dominated the international badminton arena and won a number of championships at all levels and major events. At the Tokyo Olympics, Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong successfully broke through the defense line of foreign badminton association players and faced teammates Wang Yilyu/Huang Dongping in the final. In the past many civil wars, "IELTS" basically won, and then in the final in Tokyo, Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong lost the game 1-2. Although the championship still belongs to China, "IELTS" regrets that it is difficult to settle. The Olympic final once broke the mentality of China's best mixed doubles partners and dealt a huge blow.
Immediately afterwards, the same story was staged at the Shaanxi National Games, and "IELTS" once again lost to his teammate "Yellow Duck Combination" and fell to the lowest point. Since then, Huang Yaqiong has adjusted her injury and Zheng Siwei has gotten married, and neither of them has been able to represent Guoyu in the Sudirman Cup. After that, the two came back to fight for their country again, because they had been absent for a long time, so that at the World Championships in Spain at the end of that year, "IELTS", which had been ranked first in the world for a long time, actually had the embarrassment of a round of tours.
Helplessly, at the beginning of 2022, Guoyu decided to separate the two. But the final ending of the story is not a mediocre end for the two mixed doubles players who are still in their playing years, but a second spring after a three-month hiatus. In the three months following the split, the duo competed with a newcomer, but the results of the two new pairs did not meet expectations. Under the strong demand of all parties, the national badminton coaching staff decided to let Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong hold hands again and start preparations for the Paris Olympics.
As a result, the re-emergence of "IELTS" once again made opponents from all walks of life "frightened". In the subsequent five consecutive Southeast Asian events, "IELTS" won all the championships, plus the Asian Championships before the Tang You Cup, the two won 30 consecutive victories and won six consecutive championships in the six competitions, invincible. Later, he won the World Championships in Japan that year, winning 35 consecutive victories.
After winning the championship in Paris, Huang Yaqiong couldn't cry, she was releasing the pressure that had accumulated in her heart for a long time, as well as grievances. Athletes always experience lows in their careers, but fortunately, the two are back, in the words of Zhang Jun, chairman of the Chinese Badminton Association, so that they can recall each other's good in the days they are apart. Facts have also proved that Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong's cooperation is the most tacit and reassuring, and there is such a thing as a spiritual rhino, which cannot be formed without long-term partner training and competition. Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong once won 38 consecutive victories to break the world record in badminton, and the "second spring" broke out really violently.
After the start of the Paris Olympics, "IELTS" went all the way smoothly, winning all the group stages, defeating teammates Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping in the 1/4 knockout round, and defeating old rivals Yuta Watanabe/Arisa Higashino 2-0 in the semifinals, once again standing on the Olympic final of mixed doubles. In the final, the two were in a strong position, defeating Korea's Kim Won Ho/Jung Na Eun 21-8, 21-11 to realize their dream of Paris.
The victory of Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong made up for the regret of three years ago and made their careers complete, reaching the mixed doubles gold medal grand slam of the World Series. Zheng Siwei can also use this heavy Olympic gold medal to welcome the birth of his second child. And Huang Yaqiong also received a big surprise after the game - an engagement ring from teammate Liu Yuchen.
"IELTS" said in an interview after the match: "I can't describe the feeling of victory at this moment, we have made our dream come true!" Today's game is completely unleashed, we have waited too long for this moment, and today we are here to fight hard. And Huang Yaqiong, who was immersed in happiness, said: "This summer couldn't be more complete!" ”
Text/Beiqing Sports Liu Ailin