Zhang Ning officially retired

[kwun]

Newly crown Olympics Gold medalist Zhang Ning is retiring.

Zhang Ning just received official approval for her retirement application. Li Yongbo has expressed that he wish she would take up a coaching position in the team. but there is no report on whether she would do so or not.

in other news, the Chinese team will take one day off and then resume training for the preparation of the upcoming Japan Open.

[jhirata]

Her dream would have already come true, two gold medals in a row! well done.

[callistephus*]

Her dream would have already come true, two gold medals in a row! well done.

yeah, but WHY she must retired? i liked her !:(
how old is she now?

[Dreamzz]

she's like 32 or 33, which is very old for the CHN squad.
i hope she takes up a coaching role, would be a shame to waste her experience.

[callistephus*]

she's like 32 or 33, which is very old for the CHN squad.
i hope she takes up a coaching role, would be a shame to waste her experience.

oooww i just know it at this moment that she is 32 or 33..she was old..
but i like her!

[Shayde]

Nooo! Zhang Ning is really talented, she should participate in at least one more Olympic (the 2012 London Olympics) Oh well, she had a great career and hopefully her badminton experienced could be passed on to her teammates that are younger than her.

Anyway, good job Zhang Ning, you made a huge mark in history of Woman's badminton.

[ants]

Zhang Ning already said that she will retire right after Olympics. Weather she get the gold or not. Fortunately she got it gold.

[DivingBirdie]

That is one woman who'll be remembered in badminton's history books... anyway who else in the history of badminton retained an olympics title?

[george@chongwei]

will remember her in the world of badminton///..:)
what a legend..

[kenny7_2006]

salute and respect to a wonderful player... always smiling, always giving her best... deserves her gold medals back 2 back...

legendary status, sealed! hehe...

[wanalexwan]

That is one woman who'll be remembered in badminton's history books... anyway who else in the history of badminton retained an olympics title?

Only Zhang Jun/Gao Ling in mixed doubles(00 and 04) and
Ge Fei/Gu Jun in ladies doubles(96 and 00).

Gei/Gu was especially impressive, not losing a set in both and outscoring opponents 150-49 in Atlanta and 150-55 in Sydney.

The closest any singles player to win 2 olympics is Bang Soo Hyun (Silver,92; Gold, 96); Susi Susanti (Gold, 92, Bronze, 96) [nt: Susi bt Bang in 92, Bang bt Susi in 96]; Mia Audina (Silver 96 and 04).

No men singles player has won more than 1 medal. Closest is Poul-Erik Hoyer Larsen who reach the quarter finals in 92 and won the gold in 96; the only European Gold medal winner to date in badminton.

[Turnip]

She's going out on top of the world :)

[cooler]

Only Zhang Jun/Gao Ling in mixed doubles(00 and 04) and
Ge Fei/Gu Jun in ladies doubles(96 and 00).

Gei/Gu was especially impressive, not losing a set in both and outscoring opponents 150-49 in Atlanta and 150-55 in Sydney.

The closest any singles player to win 2 olympics is Bang Soo Hyun (Silver,92; Gold, 96); Susi Susanti (Gold, 92, Bronze, 96) [nt: Susi bt Bang in 92, Bang bt Susi in 96]; Mia Audina (Silver 96 and 04).

No men singles player has won more than 1 medal. Closest is Poul-Erik Hoyer Larsen who reach the quarter finals in 92 and won the gold in 96; the only European Gold medal winner to date in badminton.

no MS... yet. LD can do it if no serious injury before 2012 london.
I dont see any threats coming from MAL, INA, DEN.
Only possibility is PSH if he make improvement.
BP will likely graudate to practice law
santoso cant do it, no help from TH:p
Hsing frim Taipei? maybe give LD a sweat or 2
EU players will get better but still won't be a threat to LD in 2012.
Strategy for LD til 2012, cruise on 3rd-4th gears until 2012:p
.............................

[bad_fanatic]

It's as expected that we know that she'll retire, but it's pretty sad to see a great badminton player like Zhang Ning leave the circuit.

She's one of my favorite women's singles player. I like her deceptiveness and most of all, I think it crazy that she plays the game at such a great pace. It's sad to see that she's calling it a day since she still have so much in her. But at 33 yrs old and playing at pro level, I think it's taking a toll on her body.

I truly doubt that she'll take on coaching as she probably want to concentrate on building a family.

For sure though I'll miss seeing her big smile and jumping for joy when she wins a tournament.

[cooler]

i hope she stays on to help out the national team as advisor or coaching role even if on part time basis. If i was her and stop badminton cold turkey, i think i'll feel lost.

[chris-ccc]

salute and respect to a wonderful player... always smiling, always giving her best... deserves her gold medals back 2 back...


.
Yes, it's always great to see Zhang Ning playing. :):):)

She's always having a determination to play her best at every tournament.

Will miss her for sure.

Zhang Ning: Our Great Ambassador of Badminton.
.

[Tsumaranai]

She is definitely an excellent player. In the broadcast of the documentary of her Road to the Olympics, she met up with a friend that had not made it to her level and had quit to pursue a regular family life. Zhang Ning expressed some wistfulness for that lifestyle. Perhaps she can at least try to establish such an existence. However, as her husband will probably be continuing his coaching, it is unlikely that she'll back out of the badminton world completely. She's just probably hoping to see him more, as she didn't get the chance to while training for the Olympics.

[jamesd20]

I think it is surely unlikely she will not take the coaching position offered to her....

...unless it is a position that will involve travelling, in which case she might like a position close to her husband, who I believe does not travel with the Tournament team - is this correct?

[Pete LSD]

Now, she can focus on family matters :) and injured knee & ankle.

[azn_123]

Hope to still hear from her from time to time. She put up a great fight in the OG! Good luck to her!

[george@chongwei]

respect her for the fighting spirit she`s got:):)

[Krisna]

I respect ZN as one of the all-time greats... I will put her up there with Li Lingwei, Han Aiping, Susi Susanti, etc. :) Top 10 all-time greats, for sure...

[giant]

ya..it's time for her to take a break..after wat she been through..a tough life..

[maa2003]

still remember how she played against Mia Audina during Uber Cup 1994 Final in Jakarta ........ Zhang Ning is the 3rd-single then ......... one of the best match selected by IBF (WBF).

[Krisna]

still remember how she played against Mia Audina during Uber Cup 1994 Final in Jakarta ........ Zhang Ning is the 3rd-single then ......... one of the best match selected by IBF (WBF).

I agree with BWF (not WBF) then. :cool: That match was one of the best I've ever seen... The Indonesians cried with happiness... while Zhang Ning cried with sadness that day... But last weekend, it was Zhang Ning's turn to cry with tears of joy... :D What a dramatic career she had... Great story, great story! :crying:

[robin7]

We will definitely miss u a lot, the great Zhang Ning!

[CLELY]

This 33 years old WS player never gave up to win second Olympic Gold at her homeground, thumbs up for Zhang Ning! She had collected many titles during her badminton career, Grand Prix tournaments, World Champion 2003, Athens & Beijing Gold, only All England is still elusive.

[cooler]

I agree with BWF (not WBF) then. :cool: That match was one of the best I've ever seen... The Indonesians cried with happiness... while Zhang Ning cried with sadness that day... But last weekend, it was Zhang Ning's turn to cry with tears of joy... :D What a dramatic career she had... Great story, great story! :crying:
did u watch that 1994 match live??

[Morten]

The funny thing with this chinese player is that she peaked in the autum of her career. Usually the chinese players are peaking in their early to mid twenties.

[george@chongwei]

yeah, i wonder where is zhao ting ting now???
retired already?

[eddychow]

Zhang Ning is a very respected woman, she deserves winning the gold medals twice. During her badminton career, she has experienced the worst periods being a professional player. Most people would have quit but she stayed strong with courage and endurance. She proved herself to the public by showing her determination and sportmanship once and again. Her simile is not simple and we should always remember.

[madbad]

A nice honour was accorded to her to be the CHN flag bearer at the closing ceremony. A very apt conclusion to her glittering career. I will miss her genuine smile, lady-like grace (in an increasingly butch women's game) and cute on-court mannerisms.

[exdreamer23]

But according to the Chinese newspapers, Zhang Ning said she will seriously consider the offer, not right now. She was to have a baby first before reconsidering.

[giant]

i think is all england games..tat time ZN vs WMC.tat is really funny..1st time saw she jump up n down cause the shuttle drop infront of her side net..

[N4ruto]

Truly a gracious champion and certainly is one of the greats in the "World of Badminton - Hall of Fames" ----> come to think of it, how come there are no such things as this!!

p/s: Americans have all kinds of hall of fames.

[chris-ccc]

Truly a gracious champion and certainly is one of the greats in the "World of Badminton - Hall of Fames" ----> come to think of it, how come there are no such things as this!!



.
N4ruto ... Just for you, I have revived an old thread: click here (http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9456) .

:):):)
.

[Aircity]

Zhang Ning is one badminton player who never gave up. At her age, most player will either retired or taking up coaching role but not Zhang Ning... She was at her peak at her late 20s and now successfully retained her gold medal at Beijing... I really salute you, The Great Zhang Ning...

[Fan888]

She is definitely an excellent player. In the broadcast of the documentary of her Road to the Olympics, she met up with a friend that had not made it to her level and had quit to pursue a regular family life. Zhang Ning expressed some wistfulness for that lifestyle. Perhaps she can at least try to establish such an existence. However, as her husband will probably be continuing his coaching, it is unlikely that she'll back out of the badminton world completely. She's just probably hoping to see him more, as she didn't get the chance to while training for the Olympics.

What documentary is this? A name? YouTube? Would love to see this. It sounds like a very touching story.

Sad to see Zhang Ning retire, but very happy for her.

[chris-ccc]

Zhang Ning just received official approval for her retirement application. Li Yongbo has expressed that he wish she would take up a coaching position in the team. but there is no report on whether she would do so or not.



.
Just 12 hours ago, LI De Quan reported that Zhang Ning will coach China WS: click here (http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61558)
.

[Koi^^]

Zhang Ning Updated her blog!!!!

Its featured at badzine

[koo_fan]

I hope she'll know all badminton community will be missing her.So much.

[koo_fan]

Will we have a superb coach like LYb later?GG Zhang Ning

[hansonlouphers]

I hope she'll know all badminton community will be missing her.So much.

absolutely!! :(

[giant]

waiting to c the pic of ZN in the ceremony where she wil retire..

[amaranth]

Is she married yet?

[george@chongwei]

Is she married yet?
yes...she`s married....

[jamesd20]

Is she married yet?

Please search for a question before posting;

http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18792&highlight=ZHang+Ning+Married

[chris-ccc]

Please search for a question before posting;

http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18792&highlight=ZHang+Ning+Married



.
:):):) For our newer members, perhaps Badminton Central could be automated to send them a Sub-Forum, something like "How to search for information within Badminton Central?".
.

[jamesd20]

.
:):):) For our newer members, perhaps Badminton Central could be automated to send them a Sub-Forum, something like "How to search for information within Badminton Central?".
.
Not sure if the software allows this.

At the top of every forum & when you press the new thread button it says
"Please Search before posting"