Tian Houwei (2011-2017) has retired from Professional Badminton after an awesome campaign in PBL(Premier Badminton League) 2018 with Delhi Acers where he earned impressive wins over Son Wan Ho and Srikanth Kidambi. Tian Houwei has been the winner of Three Grand Prix Gold Tournaments & the victory over Lee Chong Wei at 2013 Australian Open Grand Prix Gold brought this shuttler from Fujian in spotlight. His other two dominant runs were at London Grand Prix Gold 2013 and China Masters GPG 2017. A former World Champion at the Junior Level, Tian Houwei's finest achievement in the Pro Circuit was making the Final of YONEX ALL ENGLAND Championships in the year 2016 which enabled the left hander to move onto the career best ranking of 6. The tournament showed the true talent of Houwei where he scored wins over Rajeev Ouseph, Sameer Verma, Hans Kristian Solberg Vittinghus and the mercurial Kento Momota. The same year Tian Houwei reached the Final of Dubai World Superseries Finals but lost a very close match from a commanding position to the Dane,Viktor Axelsen. A title win in Jiangsu, China was Tian's last big achievement in the ultimate year of his career. Badminton Asia Championships was also a positive hunting ground for Tian Houwei where he bagged One Silver Medal in 2015 and another podium position in 2016. Playing Style - Gritty, Physical, Intense. Qualities - Focused, Great Defense, Speed of Movement Record in Major Tournaments - bronze Medal at 2014 Thomas Cup.
poor man overshadowed by likes of Lin Dan and Chen long. was very speedy and played a controlled game. Liked him, but always saw a mental block holding him back. Dubai Finals was doable. anyway, a hardworker on court, enjoyed watching his game.
He retired too early like many CHN players. I wish he had won the Dubai 2016 finals to have at least 1 special title. I think THW had much more potential than Du Pengyu and the other early retired players.
Great player, with amazing movement. Just not that "je ne sais quoi" that defines a dominating champion. His 2013 Australian Open SF win over Lee Chong Wei is a great video to watch. Tian's reflexes and intensity were amazing. Got to see him live at 2016 All England. Steady, relentless play got him to the final. But what can you do against Lin Dan? (perhaps he should have a t-shirt that says just that) Good Luck to Tian in his next stage in Life.
It's easier to be forgotten if you are not amongst The Best of The best but thanks to Shreyas66, Sundis and Fidget for expressing their sentiments on this talented player. Tian will continue to play CBSL, and other International leagues.
Huge underachiever, lacked a extra gear on attack. Hardworker, decent career... But I would take Du Pengyu over him.
Tian HW was really promising at beginning of his career, badminton fans started to pay attention when he beat Lee Chong Wei at AUS Open 2013 but thereafter slowly but sure he's going to downhill then Shi Yuqi emerged to steal the limelight post Rio OG 2016. Tian is talented but to be great player someone needs combination of mental toughness, fighting spirit, determination, high discipline, ambition. Sorry to say, looks like Tian HW isn't destined to be a star player.
Yet another victim of LD's prolonged career. Sad to see him go as he was a useful player who could beat anyone (on a good day).
