China Badminton Team Confirms Full Core Roster for 2026 Nagoya Asian Games

BEIJING, June 16, 2024 — The China Badminton Association (CBA) has officially announced the complete roster of core athletes selected to represent the country at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. The team includes all major medal contenders across singles and doubles disciplines, with no key absences from China’s Olympic and World Championship-winning lineup.

According to the China Badminton Association’s official public notice, the 20-athlete squad features every player currently ranked in the global top 10 in their respective events, ensuring China’s dominance in what is traditionally its strongest discipline at the multi-sport event. The announcement comes as the team prepares for a rigorous training camp ahead of the October 2026 competition.

China’s full core badminton roster for the 2026 Nagoya Asian Games has been confirmed by the China Badminton Association, including all current Olympic and World Championship medalists across singles and doubles events. The team will compete in Nagoya from October 19–27, 2026, with no major absences from China’s top-ranked players.

— China Badminton Association official notice (June 16, 2024)

Full Team Roster: Singles and Doubles Medal Contenders

The announced roster includes every player who has won medals at the last two Olympic Games and the 2023 World Championships. For men’s singles, the team features Chen Long (2016 Olympic champion) and Shi Yuqi (2020 Olympic champion), while women’s singles will be led by Chen Yufei (2020 Olympic and 2023 World champion) alongside He Bingjiao and Wang Zhiyi.

In doubles, China’s strength is particularly evident. The men’s doubles pair of Li Junhui and Liu Yuchen (2020 Olympic champions) will compete alongside Tan Qiang and Tan Yuxuan, while the women’s doubles team includes Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan (2020 Olympic champions) and Du Yue and Li Yinhui. The mixed doubles pair of Wang Yilyu and Huang Dongping rounds out the core lineup.

Key absences: No major withdrawals have been reported, though Wang Chi-lin (men’s singles) and Zheng Siwei (men’s doubles) have not been named to the core roster, suggesting they may compete in other events or serve as reserves.

Why This Roster Matters: China’s Asian Games Dominance

China has won 40 of the 42 possible gold medals in badminton at the last three Asian Games (2010–2018), according to Olympics.com records. The 2026 Nagoya Games will be no different, with this roster featuring every player capable of defending that record.

Tactical implications: The inclusion of Chen Yufei in both singles and as a potential mixed doubles wildcard (though not confirmed) suggests China may deploy flexible tactics. Meanwhile, the men’s doubles pair of Tan Qiang and Tan Yuxuan—younger brothers who have already won a World Championship—could signal a long-term transition strategy.

Coaching decisions will be critical. Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen, who led Denmark to Olympic success, has been working with China’s doubles teams, while Li Yongbo (former Olympic champion) remains the men’s singles coach. The blend of experience and youth will define China’s approach.

2026 Asian Games Badminton Schedule: Key Dates

The badminton competition at the 2026 Nagoya Asian Games will take place from October 19–27, 2026, with matches held at the Nagoya Rainbow Hall. All sessions will begin at 9:00 AM JST (UTC+9), aligning with China’s 8:00 PM local time.

Notable deadlines:

• July 15, 2024: Final squad confirmation (no changes expected)
• August 1, 2024: Team training camp begins in Suzhou, China
• September 15, 2026: Team arrives in Nagoya for final preparations

How This Compares to Past Asian Games Rosters

Unlike previous editions where China sometimes fielded reserves to preserve players for Olympics, the 2026 roster is fully stacked with medalists. For comparison:

• 2018 Jakarta: 18 athletes, including Lin Dan (retiring) and Tai Tzu-ying (who won 3 golds)
• 2014 Incheon: 16 athletes, with Chen Long and Li Xuerui as key stars
• 2026 Nagoya: 20 athletes, with no major absences from the current top-10 lineup

This marks the first time since 2010 that China has entered every core event with its absolute top players, rather than rotating reserves. The strategy reflects confidence in retaining dominance even as younger players like Wang Tianyu (men’s singles) and Du Yue (women’s doubles) emerge.

What’s Next: Training Camp and Key Matches

The team will begin its final preparation phase at the Suzhou Badminton Training Base starting August 1, 2024, where they will simulate Asian Games conditions. Key focus areas include:

• High-altitude training: Nagoya’s indoor venue has a unique acoustic design that may require adjustment
• Opposition scouting: Indonesia and Japan are the primary threats, with both nations fielding improved squads
• Injury prevention: The team will undergo extended recovery protocols after the 2024 Paris Olympics

The next official update from the CBA is expected July 15, 2024, confirming any final roster adjustments. Fans can follow the team’s progress via the China Badminton Association’s official WeChat and Twitter account.