Zhao Yunlei

Zhao Yunlei (born 25 August 1986) is a mixed and women's doubles badminton player from China. She graduated with a BA from Huazhong University of Science and Technology. She is the first and only badminton player to have ever won two gold medals in the same Olympic edition, winning in both the mixed and women's doubles categories in 2012. Zhao joins the ranks with nine other players with two Olympic gold medals, the highest number of gold medals won by any badminton player. Through her performance at the 2014 and 2015 BWF World Championships, she became the first player to win two consecutive gold medals in two consecutive BWF World Championships.

Zhao Yunlei
赵芸蕾
Zhao Yunlei at the 2009 East Asian Games.
Personal information
CountryChina
Born (1986-08-25) 25 August 1986
Yichang, China[1]
Height1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)[2]
Weight61 kg (134 lb)[2]
HandednessRight
CoachChen Qiqiu
Women's & mixed doubles
Highest ranking1 (WD with Cheng Shu 5 November 2009)
1 (WD with Tian Qing 20 September 2012)
1 (XD with Zhang Nan 27 January 2011)
BWF profile
Zhao Yunlei
Traditional Chinese趙芸蕾
Simplified Chinese赵芸蕾

As of the 2015 BWF World Championships, she has become the most successful player in the World Championship medal count, with a total of ten medals, overtaking Gao Ling, who has a total of nine. In addition, by winning the 2015 BWF World Championships mixed doubles title, she and partner Zhang Nan have won three World Championship mixed doubles titles, the first pairing ever to have done so. Zhao had won numerous prestigious titles both in the mixed and women's doubles including the Olympics, World Championships, Asian Games, Asian Championships, and All England Open Championships, as well as the World Mixed Team Championships (Sudirman Cup), World Women's Team Championships (Uber Cup), Asian Games Women's Team gold medal, and Asia Women's Team Championships.

She is regarded by many as one of the best female doubles players in the history of badminton alongside past greats, such as former teammate Gao Ling. Zhao has achieved massive overall success in both the mixed and women's doubles, having won a total of 63 individual career titles (38 in mixed, 25 in women's doubles). Among these 63 individual titles, 42 of them are Superseries titles (27 in mixed, 15 in women's doubles), making her the third most successful player in terms of overall Superseries achievements, and the most-successful female player in this regard as well. After the 2016 Olympics, Zhao retired from international badminton competition.

Zhao Yunlei in 2013

Career

Zhao played with Tian Qing in the women's doubles and with Zhang Nan in the mixed doubles. She first achieved the world number 1 in the BWF World ranking with partner Cheng Shu in November 2009. She then partnered with Zhang Nan in the mixed and occupied the world number 1 in January 2011. After separated with Cheng, Zhao competed in the women's doubles event with Tian Qing, and again topped the world ranking in September 2012.

2010

Zhao and Zhang won the 2010 All England Open mixed doubles title, being the first players and pairing to have ever won the title through beginning at the qualifying stage. Zhao and Tian won the 2010 Asian Games gold medal after vanquishing compatriots Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang 20–22, 21–15, and 21–12. Zhao also participated in China's women's team which gain a gold medal too.

2011

In January, Zhao and Zhang won the World Superseries Finals (having held during January 2011) in Taipei. They defeating Sudket Prapakamol and Saralee Thungthongkam of Thailand 21–17, 21–12 in the final. Zhao also reached the final in the women's doubles with Cheng. Two weeks later, they triumphed at Seoul by winning the Korea Open. In the final, they conquered compatriots Tao Jiaming and Tian Qing. Zhao and Tian reached the women's doubles final as well. In August, at the 2011 BWF World Championships in London, Zhao and Zhang won the mixed doubles title, with this being Zhao's first ever overall World Championship gold medal and first ever mixed doubles World Championship gold medal. She also won a silver medal in the women's doubles with Tian as well. In October, Zhao and Zhang reached the Denmark Open mixed doubles semi-final but they lost to Denmark's Joachim Fischer Nielsen and Christinna Pedersen 12–21, 21–14, and 20–22. However, Zhao and Zhao managed to reverse this, by winning against Fischer Nielsen and Pedersen in the mixed doubles finals at both the Hong Kong and China Open's. In December, Zhao and Zhang won the World Superseries Finals, successfully defending the title first won in January of the 2011 year.

2012

In July–August at the London Olympics, she won two gold medals in the mixed doubles with Zhang Nan and women's doubles with Tian Qing.

2013

In August, at the 2013 BWF World Championships in Guangzhou, she won bronze in both the mixed doubles with Zhang and the women's doubles with Tian.

2014

In August, at the 2014 BWF World Championships in Copenhagen, she won both the mixed doubles with Zhang and the Women's doubles with Tian, with this being Zhao's first World Championship women's doubles gold medal. In September, Zhao and Zhang won the 2014 Asian Games mixed doubles title, avenging the loss from four years ago. In December, Zhao and Zhang won the Dubai World Superseries Finals. Zhao was also awarded as the 2014 BWF Female Player of the Year.

2015

In August, at the 2015 BWF World Championships in Jakarta, she successfully defended her titles in both the mixed and women's doubles with partner Zhao and Tian respectively.

2016

In April–May, Zhao and Zhang won the Asian Championships. In August, she and Zhang won a bronze medal in the mixed doubles at the 2016 Rio Olympics. This is her third Olympic medal in addition to the two golds won four years ago.

2018

One and a half years after her retirement from the international tournaments, Zhao returning to the national team as an assistant coach.[3]

Personal life

Zhao was in a relationship with her mixed doubles partner, Zhang Nan. But just before the 2016 Summer Olympics, she announced that they had parted ways. In 2018, she married Hong Wei, another former national teammate and men's doubles shuttler.

Achievements

Olympic Games

Women's doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
2012 Wembley Arena, London, England Tian Qing Mizuki Fujii
Reika Kakiiwa
21–10, 25–23 Gold

Mixed doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
2012 Wembley Arena, London, England Zhang Nan Xu Chen
Ma Jin
21–11, 21–17 Gold
2016 Riocentro - Pavilion 4, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Zhang Nan Xu Chen
Ma Jin
21–7, 21–11 Bronze

BWF World Championships

Women's doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
2009 Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, Hyderabad, India Cheng Shu Zhang Yawen
Zhao Tingting
21–17, 17–21, 16–21 Silver
2010 Stade Pierre de Coubertin, Paris, France Cheng Shu Ma Jin
Wang Xiaoli
21–10, 10–21, 13–21 Bronze
2011 Wembley Arena, London, England Tian Qing Wang Xiaoli
Yu Yang
20–22, 11–21 Silver
2013 Tianhe Sports Center, Guangzhou, China Tian Qing Chang Ye-na
Eom Hye-won
16–21, 19–21 Bronze
2014 Ballerup Super Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark Tian Qing Wang Xiaoli
Yu Yang
21–19, 21–15 Gold
2015 Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia Tian Qing Christinna Pedersen
Kamilla Rytter Juhl
23–25, 21–8, 21–15 Gold

Mixed doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
2011 Wembley Arena, London, England Zhang Nan Chris Adcock
Imogen Bankier
21–15, 21–7 Gold
2013 Tianhe Sports Center, Guangzhou, China Zhang Nan Tontowi Ahmad
Liliyana Natsir
21–15, 18–21, 13–21 Bronze
2014 Ballerup Super Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark Zhang Nan Xu Chen
Ma Jin
21–12, 21–23, 21–13 Gold
2015 Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia Zhang Nan Liu Cheng
Bao Yixin
21–17, 21–11 Gold

Asian Games

Women's doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
2010 Tianhe Gymnasium, Guangzhou, China Tian Qing Wang Xiaoli
Yu Yang
20–22, 21–15, 21–12 Gold
2014 Gyeyang Gymnasium, Incheon, South Korea Tian Qing Nitya Krishinda Maheswari
Greysia Polii
17–21, 21–19, 17–21 Bronze

Mixed doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
2010 Tianhe Gymnasium, Guangzhou, China Zhang Nan Shin Baek-cheol
Lee Hyo-jung
19–21, 14–21 Silver
2014 Gyeyang Gymnasium, Incheon, South Korea Zhang Nan Tontowi Ahmad
Liliyana Natsir
21–16, 21–14 Gold

Asian Championships

Women's doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
2007 Bandaraya Stadium, Johor Bahru, Malaysia Cheng Shu Yang Wei
Zhao Tingting
10–21, 11–21 Silver
2011 Sichuan Gymnasium, Chengdu, China Tian Qing Wang Xiaoli
Yu Yang
13–21, 10–21 Silver
2012 Qingdao Sports Centre Conson Stadium, Qingdao, China Tian Qing Bao Yixin
Zhong Qianxin
21–14, 21–15 Gold

Mixed doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
2011 Sichuan Gymnasium, Chengdu, China Zhang Nan Xu Chen
Ma Jin
15–21, 21–15, 25–23 Gold
2012 Qingdao Sports Centre Conson Stadium, Qingdao, China Zhang Nan Xu Chen
Ma Jin
21–13, 21–12 Gold
2013 Taipei Arena, Taipei, Chinese Taipei Zhang Nan Ko Sung-hyun
Kim Ha-na
20–22, 17–21 Silver
2016 Wuhan Sports Center Gymnasium, Wuhan, China Zhang Nan Tontowi Ahmad
Liliyana Natsir
16–21, 21–9, 21–17 Gold

Asian Junior Championships

Girls' doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
2004 Hwacheon Indoor Stadium, Hwacheon, South Korea Ding Jiao Feng Chen
Pan Pan
5–15, 15–8, 15–12 Gold

BWF Superseries

The BWF Superseries, launched on 14 December 2006 and implemented in 2007,[4] is a series of elite badminton tournaments, sanctioned by Badminton World Federation (BWF). BWF Superseries has two level such as Superseries and Superseries Premier. A season of Superseries features twelve tournaments around the world, which introduced since 2011,[5] with successful players invited to the Superseries Finals held at the year end.

Women's doubles

Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result
2008 Japan Open Cheng Shu Chin Eei Hui
Wong Pei Tty
21–19, 5–21, 21–18 Winner
2008 China Masters Cheng Shu Zhang Dan
Zhang Zhibo
21–14, 21–11 Winner
2008 Hong Kong Open Cheng Shu Zhang Yawen
Zhao Tingting
14–21, 13–21 Runner-up
2009 All England Open Cheng Shu Zhang Yawen
Zhao Tingting
13–21, 15–21 Runner-up
2009 Indonesia Open Cheng Shu Chin Eei Hui
Wong Pei Tty
16–21, 16–21 Runner-up
2009 China Masters Cheng Shu Du Jing
Yu Yang
15–21, 15–21 Runner-up
2009 French Open Cheng Shu Ma Jin
Wang Xiaoli
13–21, 8–21 Runner-up
2010 Korea Open Cheng Shu Mizuki Fujii
Reika Kakiiwa
21–16, 21–15 Winner
2010 All England Open Cheng Shu Du Jing
Yu Yang
22–20, 16–21, 13–21 Runner-up
2010 Japan Open Cheng Shu Wang Xiaoli
Yu Yang
17–21, 6–21 Runner-up
2010 China Open Cheng Shu Ma Jin
Zhong Qianxin
Walkover Winner
2010 World Superseries Finals Cheng Shu Wang Xiaoli
Yu Yang
7–21, 17–21 Runner-up
2011 Malaysia Open Tian Qing Wang Xiaoli
Yu Yang
21–12, 6–21, 21–17 Winner
2011 Korea Open Tian Qing Wang Xiaoli
Yu Yang
18–21, 21–19, 4–21 Runner-up
2011 Singapore Open Tian Qing Ha Jung-eun
Kim Min-jung
21–13, 21–16 Winner
2011 Denmark Open Tian Qing Wang Xiaoli
Yu Yang
20–22, 16–21 Runner-up
2011 French Open Tian Qing Wang Xiaoli
Yu Yang
24–26, 15–21 Runner-up
2011 Hong Kong Open Tian Qing Wang Xiaoli
Yu Yang
12–21, 2–14 retired Runner-up
2012 Korea Open Tian Qing Ha Jung-eun
Kim Min-jung
21–18, 21–13 Winner
2012 All England Open Tian Qing Wang Xiaoli
Yu Yang
21–17, 21–12 Winner
2012 Indonesia Open Tian Qing Wang Xiaoli
Yu Yang
21–17, 9–21, 16–21 Runner-up
2012 Hong Kong Open Tian Qing Wang Xiaoli
Yu Yang
22–20, 14–21, 21–17 Winner
2013 All England Open Cheng Shu Wang Xiaoli
Yu Yang
18–21, 10–21 Runner-up
2013 Singapore Open Tian Qing Misaki Matsutomo
Ayaka Takahashi
21–19, 21–16 Winner
2013 French Open Tian Qing Bao Yixin
Tang Jinhua
13–21, 17–21 Runner-up
2014 Indonesia Open Tian Qing Ma Jin
Tang Yuanting
Walkover Winner
2014 Australian Open Tian Qing Misaki Matsutomo
Ayaka Takahashi
21–15, 21–9 Winner
2014 China Open Tian Qing Wang Xiaoli
Yu Yang
16–21, 21–19, 20–22 Runner-up
2014 Hong Kong Open Tian Qing Misaki Matsutomo
Ayaka Takahashi
21–13, 21–13 Winner
2014 Dubai World Superseries Finals Tian Qing Misaki Matsutomo
Ayaka Takahashi
17–21, 14–21 Runner-up
2015 Japan Open Zhong Qianxin Christinna Pedersen
Kamilla Rytter Juhl
21–12, 21–16 Winner
2015 Denmark Open Tian Qing Jung Kyung-eun
Shin Seung-chan
Walkover Runner-up
2015 Hong Kong Open Tian Qing Tang Yuanting
Yu Yang
21–15, 21–12 Winner

Mixed doubles

Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result
2008 China Open Xu Chen Lee Yong-dae
Lee Hyo-jung
16–21, 15–21 Runner-up
2010 All England Open Zhang Nan Nova Widianto
Lilyana Natsir
21–18, 23–25, 21–18 Winner
2010 Japan Open Zhang Nan Tao Jiaming
Tian Qing
21–19, 22–20 Winner
2010 China Open Zhang Nan Tao Jiaming
Tian Qing
18–21, 17–21 Runner-up
2010 Hong Kong Open Zhang Nan Joachim Fischer Nielsen
Christinna Pedersen
20–22, 21–14, 20–22 Runner-up
2010 World Superseries Finals Zhang Nan Sudket Prapakamol
Saralee Thungthongkam
21–17, 21–12 Winner
2011 Korea Open Zhang Nan Tao Jiaming
Tian Qing
21–17, 13–21, 21–19 Winner
2011 Indonesia Open Zhang Nan Tontowi Ahmad
Liliyana Natsir
20–22, 21–14, 21–9 Winner
2011 Hong Kong Open Zhang Nan Joachim Fischer Nielsen
Christinna Pedersen
15–21, 21–17, 21–17 Winner
2011 China Open Zhang Nan Joachim Fischer Nielsen
Christinna Pedersen
21–11, 21–14 Winner
2011 World Superseries Finals Zhang Nan Xu Chen
Ma Jin
21–13, 21–15 Winner
2012 Malaysia Open Zhang Nan Xu Chen
Ma Jin
21–12, 21–9 Winner
2012 Hong Kong Open Zhang Nan Xu Chen
Ma Jin
21–17, 21–17 Winner
2012 World Superseries Finals Zhang Nan Joachim Fischer Nielsen
Christinna Pedersen
21–17, 12–21, 14–21 Runner-up
2013 Korea Open Zhang Nan Xu Chen
Ma Jin
13–21, 21–16, 21–13 Winner
2013 All England Open Zhang Nan Tontowi Ahmad
Liliyana Natsir
13–21, 17–21 Runner-up
2013 Indonesia Open Zhang Nan Joachim Fischer Nielsen
Christinna Pedersen
24–22, 20–22, 21–12 Winner
2013 China Masters Zhang Nan Yoo Yeon-seong
Eom Hye-won
21–18, 21–12 Winner
2013 Japan Open Zhang Nan Xu Chen
Ma Jin
Walkover Winner
2013 Denmark Open Zhang Nan Tontowi Ahmad
Liliyana Natsir
21–11, 22–20 Winner
2013 French Open Zhang Nan Xu Chen
Ma Jin
28–26, 21–18 Winner
2013 World Superseries Finals Zhang Nan Joachim Fischer Nielsen
Christinna Pedersen
21–12, 19–21, 10–21 Runner-up
2014 Korea Open Zhang Nan Xu Chen
Ma Jin
21–18, 21–18 Winner
2014 All England Open Zhang Nan Tontowi Ahmad
Liliyana Natsir
13–21, 17–21 Runner-up
2014 Japan Open Zhang Nan Michael Fuchs
Birgit Michels
21–12, 21–16 Winner
2014 China Open Zhang Nan Yoo Yeon-seong
Eom Hye-won
23–25, 21–14, 21–18 Winner
2014 Hong Kong Open Zhang Nan Xu Chen
Ma Jin
21–14, 21–19 Winner
2014 Dubai World Superseries Finals Zhang Nan Liu Cheng
Bao Yixin
21–15, 21–12 Winner
2015 All England Open Zhang Nan Tontowi Ahmad
Liliyana Natsir
21–10, 21–10 Winner
2015 Malaysia Open Zhang Nan Xu Chen
Ma Jin
21–16, 21–14 Winner
2015 Singapore Open Zhang Nan Lu Kai
Huang Yaqiong
Walkover Winner
2015 Indonesia Open Zhang Nan Xu Chen
Ma Jin
17–21, 16–21 Runner-up
2015 Japan Open Zhang Nan Joachim Fischer Nielsen
Christinna Pedersen
21–17, 18–21, 21–23 Runner-up
2015 Korea Open Zhang Nan Tontowi Ahmad
Liliyana Natsir
21–16, 21–15 Winner
2015 China Open Zhang Nan Joachim Fischer Nielsen
Christinna Pedersen
21–19, 17–21, 21–19 Winner
2015 Hong Kong Open Zhang Nan Liu Cheng
Bao Yixin
21–17, 17–21, 21–17 Winner
  BWF Superseries Finals tournament
  BWF Superseries Premier tournament
  BWF Superseries tournament

BWF Grand Prix

The BWF Grand Prix had two levels, the BWF Grand Prix and Grand Prix Gold. It was a series of badminton tournaments sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) which was held from 2007 to 2017.

Women's doubles

Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result
2008 Macau Open Cheng Shu Ma Jin
Wang Xiaoli
21–15, 21–18 Winner
2009 German Open Cheng Shu Pan Pan
Tian Qing
18–21, 21–13, 21–16 Winner
2010 German Open Cheng Shu Ma Jin
Wang Xiaoli
22–24, 15–21 Runner-up
2011 Thailand Open Tian Qing Bao Yixin
Cheng Shu
21–7, 21–8 Winner
2016 Thailand Masters Tian Qing Tang Yuanting
Yu Yang
11–21, 21–12, 23–21 Winner

Mixed doubles

Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result
2008 Macau Open Xu Chen Yohan Hadikusumo Wiratama
Chau Hoi Wah
21–15, 21–16 Winner
2009 German Open Xu Chen Zheng Bo
Ma Jin
21–18, 23–21 Winner
2009 Malaysia Grand Prix Gold Xu Chen Zheng Bo
Ma Jin
5–5 retired Runner-up
2010 Bitburger Open Zhang Nan Michael Fuchs
Birgit Overzier
22–20, 21–9 Winner
  BWF Grand Prix Gold tournament
  BWF Grand Prix tournament

BWF International Challenge/Series

Women's doubles

Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result
2007 Austrian International Cheng Shu Pan Pan
Tian Qing
21–18, 21–13 Winner
  BWF International Challenge tournament
  BWF International Series tournament

References

  1. "Zhao Yunlei won 2 Olympic Gold Medals in London". en.hubei.gov.cn. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  2. Zhao Yunlei. sports-reference.com
  3. Jong (1 February 2018). "Zhao Yunlei to return…as coach". sportscn.com. Archived from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2021 via Badzine.net.
  4. "BWF Launches Super Series". Badminton Australia. 15 December 2006. Archived from the original on 6 October 2007.
  5. "Yonex All England Elevated To BWF Premier Super Series Event". www.ibadmintonstore.com. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
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