(Xports News Reporter Kim Hyun-ki) A badminton player is becoming a hot topic with more than 1.1 million followers on social media.
Then, the aftereffects of his popularity were also highlighted, with fans from that country mentioning past stalking incidents against him.
Chiharu Shida, a Japanese doubles professional female player who won a bronze medal in the badminton women’s doubles at the Paris Summer Olympics last year, is the main character with ‘1.1 million followers’.
Japan’s ‘The Digest’ recently said, “Sida’s number of Instagram followers has surpassed 1 million and has surpassed 1.1 million.” In fact, as of 00:00 on the 11th, his number of followers is around 1,121,000.
Of course, Danish star player Viktor Axelsen, who won two consecutive badminton men’s singles titles at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2024 Paris Olympics, has 1.26 million followers, but the media said, “Sida’s number of followers is increasing noticeably, so there is a high possibility that he will reach Axelsen’s level.”
This is because, right after the Paris Olympics, Shida has been enjoying the level of popularity as a celebrity representing Japanese sports.
Shida, who was seeded 4th in the women’s doubles group with Nami Matsuyama at the Paris Olympics, fell to the 3rd and 4th place match, but defeated the Pearly Tan-Tina Muralitharan (Malaysia) pair 2-0, winning one of the two bronze medals Japan won at the Paris Olympics.
Immediately after winning the Olympics, Shida’s popularity soared. He was also nicknamed ‘Shida Matsu’ after his and Matsumya’s last names.
In particular, Japanese media still regularly introduces Shida’s current status. It is known that he often appears in TV programs.
However, as the number of SNS followers skyrocketed, it is noteworthy that Shida complained that stalking against him, especially by Chinese fans, was extreme.
In April, Shida said on social media, “I’ve been stalked every time I play in China. It’s been going on for over a year. I’m so scared.”
He said, “I know that not all fans are like this. I really like China and am grateful for the fans’ support.” He expressed gratitude for the love of fans in China, where badminton is very popular, but also added, “Please stop stalking and similar actions from now on. If this situation continues, I think we will have to find a solution somehow.”
This is not the first time Shida has complained about stalking. During the China Masters (Super 750) held in Shenzhen, China in November 2023, she also complained, “I was subjected to unwanted contact and stalking. Please respect me.”
Shida plans to disband his doubles group with Matsuyama after the World Championships in Paris, France in August of last year, find a new partner, and diligently compete in international competitions again starting next year. This means that concerns about Sida, who is called a ‘badminton idol’, becoming a victim of stalking are increasing.
Photo = Chiharu Shida SNS
Reporter Kim Hyun-ki spitfire@xportsnews.com
