Zhang Ning Explained

Zhang Ning
张宁
Size:150px
Birth Date:1975 5, df=yes
Birth Place:Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
Height:1.75m (05.74feet)
Weight:64kg (141lb)
Event:Women's singles
Country:China
Handedness:Right
Career Record:385 Win, 97 Loss
Highest Ranking:1
Bwf Id:58745475-111C-4A0C-BF6F-9E41D5284471

Zhang Ning (; born 19 May 1975) is a former Chinese badminton player. She won the Olympic gold medal twice for women's singles in both 2004 and 2008. She has played badminton on the world scene since the mid-1990s and has been particularly successful since 2002 while in her late twenties and early thirties, relatively late for singles at the highest level, and especially for top players in the Chinese system who are developed very early. She is known for her consistency of shot, deception and constant pressure, dictating the pace of rallies and working her opponents in all four corners of the court. She is the only female player to win consecutive Olympic singles gold medals. She also became World champion in 2003 and has a total of five medals of all colours in the competition.

Zhang first represented China in the Uber Cup (women's world team championship) competition in 1994 and last represented it in 2006. Though she was not always chosen to play in each of the biennial editions of this tournament, the span of her Uber Cup service is the longest of any Chinese player.

Career

2003

Although she had previously won a number of international open titles dating from the mid-1990s, Zhang's breakthrough as a dominant player on the world circuit came in the 2003 IBF World Championships, where she stormed into the final. There, 28-year-old Zhang Ning defeated compatriot Gong Ruina easily 11-6, 11-3.

2004

The following year, Zhang played badminton at the 2004 Summer Olympics for China. In women's singles, she defeated Marina Andrievskaya of Sweden and Kelly Morgan of Great Britain in the first two rounds. In the quarterfinals, Zhang beat Wang Chen of Hong Kong 9-11, 11-6, 11-7 to advance to the semifinals. There, she defeated countrywoman Zhou Mi 11-6, 11-4. Zhang defeated Netherlands's Mia Audina 8-11, 11-6, 11-7 in the final to win the gold medal. It was sweet revenge for the 29-year-old, who had lost to Audina 10 years earlier in the decisive match of the Uber Cup. With her Olympic win, she became one of three singles players in the world to win the World Championship and the Olympic Games (in either order) in successive years, the others being Susi Susanti and Taufik Hidayat.

2005

Zhang also claimed many titles after her breakthrough wins. She bested Xie Xingfang in the 2005 China Open 3-11, 11-4, 11-8, but in the 2005 World Championships final Zhang fell to Xie Xingfang, 8-11, 11-9, 3-11.

2006

In 2006, Zhang reached the finals of the World Championships yet again, but she was still unable to defeat Xingfang. This time, she lost 16-21, 14-21. However, Zhang claimed revenge in the Japan Open, defeating Xingfang 21-11, 16-21, 30-29. This was the 19th time they had met in an international tournament, with the head-to-head tied at 9-9.

During this year the well known Dutch documentary filmmaker Roel van Dalen made the documentary film Olympic Journey - The Road to Beijing on the life of Zhang Ning, which was broadcast on television worldwide.

2007

In 2007, Zhang won her fifth Singapore Open title in six times, beating Xingfang 21-18, 19-21, 21-3. In the World Championships, Xingfang was defeated in the third round by Malaysian Wong Mew Choo, making Zhang a favourite for the title. However, she was stopped in the semi-finals by Wang Chen. This was the second time Wang Chen had beaten her in 2007, after the Indonesian Open. Zhang's compatriot Zhu Lin went on to beat Wang in the final 21-8, 21-12. In the Beijing Good Luck Invitational tournament, Zhang reached the semi-finals to face Zhu Lin but pulled out due to injury.

In the Danish Open, she reached the final, but lost 17-21, 14-21 to compatriot Lu Lan due to a thigh injury. Zhang also reached the semi-finals of the French Open, but was upset by local hope Pi Hongyan.

In the China Open, Zhang lost in straight sets to Malaysia's Wong Mew Choo in the semi-finals. Zhang cited injury and fatigue as the main reasons for her loss.

2008

Zhang's 2008 season started with a first round loss in the Malaysian Open. She was seen coaching her younger teammates in the tournament as well. In the Korean Open, she lost to her former compatriot, Zhou Mi, in the quarter-final. Zhou now plays for Hong Kong. In the All England, Zhang and Xie, the top 2 seeds, lost in the first round. However they both bounced back strongly in the Swiss Open to reach the final, for their 22nd international meeting. To be in the final was a relief for Zhang, who had failed to get past the quarter-finals in three previous tournaments. Still, Xie beat Zhang 21-18, 21-17, bringing their head-to-head stands to 11:11.

Later, at the Beijing Olympic Games, Zhang progressed to the quarter-final after overcoming South Korean Jun Jae Youn in the third round. She then subdued fifth-seeded Pi Hongyan of France and Indonesia's Maria Kristin Yulianti 21-15, 21-15 to reach the final. There she faced compatriot and world number 1 Xie Xingfang and won in a tough three-setter, 21-12, 10-21, 21-18, to extend her gold medal reign. Zhang became the first badminton player to ever defend an Olympic singles title even though many questioned her ability to do so at the age of 33. She was additionally chosen to represent China as the flag bearer for the 2008 Summer Olympics closing ceremony.

Retirement

Having previously announced her plans to retire after the 2008 Olympic Games, a retirement ceremony for Zhang and other retiring members of the Chinese national team was held at the 2008 China Open Badminton Championships in Shanghai in November 2008.[1] [2] She was in tears receiving an award during the ceremony to mark her retirement with five other teammates from the Chinese national badminton team on the sidelines of the China Open badminton event in Shanghai, November 23, 2008.[3] After her retirement, Zhang Ning immediately began working with the Chinese national team in coaching and developing the up-and-coming women's singles players. In 2018 however she was replaced by Luo Yigang as the coach of China's women's badminton team following the below par performance of team at the Uber Cup.[4]

Achievements

Olympic Games

Women's singles

YearVenueOpponentScoreResult
2004Goudi Olympic Hall, Athens, Greece Mia Audina8–11, 11–6, 11–7 Gold
2008Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium, Beijing, China Xie Xingfang21–12, 10–21, 21–18 Gold

World Championships

Women's singles

YearVenueOpponentScoreResult
2001Palacio de Deportes de San Pablo, Seville, Spain Zhou Mi5–11, 9–11 Bronze
2003National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, England Gong Ruina11–6, 11–3 Gold
2005Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, United States Xie Xingfang8–11, 11–9, 3–11 Silver
2006Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad, Madrid, Spain Xie Xingfang16–21, 14–21 Silver
2007Putra Indoor Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Wang Chen11–21, 15–21 Bronze

World Cup

Women's singles

YearVenueOpponentScoreResult
2005Olympic Park, Yiyang, China Xie Xingfang19–21, 16–21 Silver
2006Olympic Park, Yiyang, China Wang Yihan19–21, 18–21 Bronze

Asian Championships

Women's singles

YearVenueOpponentScoreResult
1999Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Ye Zhaoying8–11, 5–11 Silver
2001PhilSports Arena, Manila, Philippines Wang Chen11–1, 11–3 Gold
2002Nimibutr Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand Zhou Mi11–6, 3–11, 8–11 Silver

Asian Cup

Women's singles

East Asian Games

Women's singles

Women's doubles

BWF Superseries

The BWF Superseries, launched on 14 December 2006 and implemented in 2007, is a series of elite badminton tournaments sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). BWF Superseries has two levels, the Superseries and Superseries Premier. A season of Superseries features twelve tournaments around the world, introduced in 2011, with successful players invited to the BWF Superseries Finals held at the year's end.

Women's singles

YearTournamentOpponentScoreResult
2007Swiss Open Lu Lan21–16, 21–18 Winner
2007Singapore Open Xie Xingfang21–18, 19–21, 21–3 Winner
2007China Masters Xie Xingfang11–21, 21–8, 21–23 Runner-up
2007Denmark Open Lu Lan17–21, 14–21 Runner-up
2008Swiss Open Xie Xingfang18–21, 17–21 Runner-up

Superseries tournament

Superseries Premier tournament

Superseries Finals tournament

IBF World Grand Prix

The World Badminton Grand Prix sanctioned by International Badminton Federation (IBF) from 1983 to 2006.

Women's singles

YearTournamentOpponentScoreResult
1994French Open Liu Yuhong7–11, 11–7, 11–7 Winner
1994Brunei Open Hu Ning11–3, 6–11, 11–6 Winner
1996Swedish Open Ra Kyung-min6–11, 11–2, 11–4 Winner
1996Malaysia Open Wang Chen11–7, 11–8 Winner
1996China Open Wang Chen11–6, 11–6 Winner
1998All England Open Ye Zhaoying5–11, 8–11 Runner-up
1998Malaysia Open Dai Yun11–1, 11–3 Winner
1998World Grand Prix Finals Dai Yun11–8, 11–7 Winner
2001Singapore Open Dai Yun7–1, 4–7, 7–2 Winner
2002Korea Open Gong Ruina7–0, 5–7, 7–1, 7–2 Winner
2002Singapore Open Zhou Mi6–11, 3–11 Runner-up
2002Indonesia Open Gong Ruina6–11, 7–11 Runner-up
2002China Open Gong Ruina5–11, 8–11 Runner-up
2003Swiss Open Wang ChenWalkover Winner
2003Singapore Open Zhou Mi11–0, 11–8 Winner
2003German Open Camilla Martin11–7, 11–3 Winner
2003Hong Kong Open Gong Ruina11–5, 11–9 Winner
2004Korea Open Jun Jae-youn11–6, 11–5 Winner
2004Malaysia Open Zhou Mi9–11, 11–7, 11–8 Winner
2004Singapore Open Zhou Mi11–8, 11–1 Winner
2005German Open Xie Xingfang5–11, 4–11 Runner-up
2005All England Open Xie Xingfang3–11, 9–11 Runner-up
2005Japan Open Xie Xingfang11–7, 11–8 Winner
2005Singapore Open Zhou Mi11–5, 11–7 Winner
2005Malaysia Open Zhu Lin11–6, 11–2 Winner
2005China Masters Zhou Mi11–3, 5–11, 11–3 Winner
2005Hong Kong Open Xie Xingfang11–4, 1–11, 11–6 Winner
2005China Open Xie Xingfang3–11, 11–4, 11–8 Winner
2006German Open Lu Lan11–8, 11–3 Winner
2006All England Open Xie Xingfang6–11, 11–4, 2–11 Runner-up
2006Chinese Taipei Open Xie Xingfang21–15, 21–15 Winner
2006Malaysia Open Tracey Hallam21–12, 21–13 Winner
2006Hong Kong Open Xie XingfangWalkover Runner-up
2006Japan Open Xie Xingfang21–11, 16–21, 30–29 Winner
2006China Open Yao Jie21–14, 21–5 Winner

Women's doubles

IBF Grand Prix tournament

IBF Grand Prix Finals tournament

Record against selected opponents

Record against year-end Finals finalists, World Championships semi-finalists, and Olympic quarter-finalists.

PlayersMatchesResultsDifference
WonLost
/ Huang Chia-chi3 3 0 +3
Petya Nedelcheva4 4 0 +4
Dai Yun8 6 2 +4
Gong Ruina9 4 5 –1
Gong Zhichao4 2 2 0
Han Jingna2 0 2 –2
Lu Lan4 3 1 +2
Wang Lin2 1 1 0
Wang Yihan4 3 1 +2
Xie Xingfang23 12 11 +1
Yao Yan2 1 1 0
Ye Zhaoying4 0 4 –4
Zhu Lin3 3 0 +3
Cheng Shao-chieh2 2 0 +2
Tine Baun5 4 1 +3
Camilla Martin15 9 6 +3
Mette Sørensen2 2 0 +2
PlayersMatchesResultsDifference
WonLost
Tracey Hallam6 6 0 +6
Pi Hongyan17 14 3 +11
Petra Overzier2 2 0 +2
Juliane Schenk5 5 0 +5
Xu Huaiwen3 3 0 +3
/ Wang Chen17 14 3 +11
Yip Pui Yin5 4 1 +3
/ Zhou Mi20 8 12 –4
Saina Nehwal1 1 0 +1
Susi Susanti6 1 5 –4
Maria Kristin Yulianti3 2 1 +1
Yasuko Mizui3 3 0 +3
Wong Mew Choo8 7 1 +6
/ Mia Audina13 7 6 +1
Bang Soo-hyun4 0 4 –4
Kim Ji-hyun2 0 2 –2
Lim Xiaoqing5 0 5 –5

Performance timeline

National team

Team events 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Uber Cupstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=silver Sstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=silver Sstyle=color:#ccc NHAstyle=color:#ccc NHAstyle=color:#ccc NHAstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=gold Gstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=gold Gstyle=color:#ccc NH
Sudirman CupAstyle=color:#ccc NHAstyle=color:#ccc NHAstyle=color:#ccc NHAstyle=color:#ccc NHAstyle=color:#ccc NHAstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=gold Gstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=gold G
Asian Gamesstyle=color:#ccc NHANHbgcolor=gold GNHbgcolor=gold GNHbgcolor=gold Gstyle=color:#ccc NH
East Asian Gamesbgcolor=gold GNHANH

Individual competitions

Tournaments 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2008
Olympic GamesNHANHANHbgcolor=gold GNHbgcolor=gold G
World Championshipsbgcolor=AFEEEE R64style=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=FFEBCD QFstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=FFEBCD QFstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=FFEBCD QFstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=CD7F32 Bstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=gold Gstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=silver Sbgcolor=silver Sbgcolor=CD7F32 Bstyle=color:#ccc NH
World CupANHbgcolor=silver Sbgcolor=CD7F32 BNH
Asian Gamesstyle=color:#ccc NHANHANHANHbgcolor=FFEBCD QFNH
Asian Championshipsbgcolor=AFEEEE 3Rbgcolor=FFEBCD QFAbgcolor=silver SAbgcolor=gold Gbgcolor=silver SA
Asian Cupstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=gold GNH
East Asian Gamesbgcolor=CD7F32 BNHANH
Tournaments 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2008
align=left Year-end finalsAbgcolor=AFEEEE RRbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=AFEEEE RRANHA
align=left China Openbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=AFEEEE 2Rbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=AFEEEE 2Rstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=AFEEEE 2Rstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=FFFF00 SFbgcolor=D8BFD8 Fbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=FFFF00 SFA
align=left All England OpenAbgcolor=AFEEEE 3Rbgcolor=AFEEEE 3Rbgcolor=AFEEEE 3Rbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=D8BFD8 FAbgcolor=FFEBCD QFAbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=FFFF00 SFbgcolor=FFFF00 SFbgcolor=D8BFD8 Fbgcolor=D8BFD8 Fbgcolor=FFFF00 SFbgcolor=AFEEEE 1R
align=left Japan OpenAbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=FFEBCD QFAbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=FFFF00 SFbgcolor=FFFF00 SFbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=FFFF00 SFbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=FFEBCD QFA
align=left Malaysia Openbgcolor=AFEEEE 2RAbgcolor=AFEEEE 2Rbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=00FF00 WAbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=FFEBCD QFAbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=00FF00 WAbgcolor=AFEEEE 1R
align=left Singapore Openbgcolor=AFEEEE 2Rstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=AFEEEE 3RAstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=FFFF00 SFbgcolor=FFEBCD QFAstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=D8BFD8 Fbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=00FF00 WAbgcolor=00FF00 WA
align=left Hong Kong OpenAbgcolor=FFFF00 SFbgcolor=AFEEEE 2RAstyle=color:#ccc NHAstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=00FF00 Wstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=D8BFD8 Fbgcolor=AFEEEE 2RA
align=left Indonesia Openbgcolor=AFEEEE 2RAbgcolor=AFEEEE 3Rbgcolor=AFEEEE 3RAbgcolor=D8BFD8 Fbgcolor=FFEBCD QFAbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=FFFF00 SF
align=left Korea OpenAbgcolor=FFFF00 SFbgcolor=FFEBCD QFstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=FFEBCD QFAbgcolor=AFEEEE 2Rbgcolor=00FF00 WAbgcolor=00FF00 WAbgcolor=FFEBCD QF
align=left Denmark OpenAbgcolor=AFEEEE 2RAbgcolor=FFFF00 SFbgcolor=FFEBCD QFAbgcolor=FFFF00 SFAbgcolor=D8BFD8 FA
align=left German OpenAbgcolor=AFEEEE 1RAstyle=color:#ccc NHAbgcolor=00FF00 WAbgcolor=D8BFD8 Fbgcolor=00FF00 WA
align=left Swedish OpenAbgcolor=AFEEEE 1Rbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=FFFF00 SFANH
align=left Swiss OpenAbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=FFFF00 SFAbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=D8BFD8 F
align=left China MastersNHbgcolor=00FF00 Wbgcolor=FFEBCD QFbgcolor=D8BFD8 FA
align=left Thailand OpenAbgcolor=FFEBCD QFAbgcolor=FFEBCD QFstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=FFEBCD QFAstyle=color:#ccc NHA
align=left Brunei OpenAbgcolor=00FF00 WAstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=FFFF00 SFNH
align=left Chinese Taipei OpenAstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=FFFF00 SFAstyle=color:#ccc NHAbgcolor=00FF00 WA
align=left Dutch OpenAbgcolor=AFEEEE 1RAstyle=color:#ccc NHAbgcolor=FFFF00 SFA
align=left French OpenAbgcolor=00FF00 WAstyle=color:#ccc NHbgcolor=FFFF00 SFA
align=left Canada OpenAbgcolor=FFEBCD QFNHAstyle=color:#ccc NHAstyle=color:#ccc NH
align=left Macau OpenNHANHbgcolor=FFEBCD QFA
align=left US OpenAbgcolor=AFEEEE 3RA

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Zhang Ning: A Veteran Badminton Player > PROFILES > SPORTSWOMEN . December 22, 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090216142756/http://womenofchina.cn/Profiles/Sportswomen/17221.jsp . February 16, 2009 .
  2. Web site: Veteran Olympic and world badminton champions retire - Sports News - SINA English.
  3. Web site: Veteran badminton champions retire -- china.org.cn.
  4. Web site: Overhaul begins as China women's badminton coach Zhang Ning is fired. 13 June 2018.

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