Inside My Championship Mindset

As a professional badminton player, I’ve experienced almost everything this sport can offer. Olympic gold at Paris 2024, silver at Tokyo 2020 and three world titles in mixed doubles. But behind those results are years of challenges, doubts and growth. I’ve learnt winning is not only about physical strength or tactics. It’s about how you manage your mind.

When people see my ranking or titles, they assume confidence comes easily. The truth is, pressure is always there, especially at events such as the World Championships. To win a tournament like that, you need more than just form. You need to keep your ambition strong but stay mentally grounded. I never go into a match thinking ‘we are favourites’. That mindset can hold you back. I try to approach it like we are any other pair fighting through the draw. Humility keeps me focused.

I still remember my first World Championships title in 2018. We were already No.1 in the world but I felt completely overwhelmed. My coach could see the pressure building. He told me to stop training. For two days, I did nothing related to badminton. I watched a comedy and switched off. It seemed strange at the time but it worked. I went back on court clearer and calmer. That was the first time I realised how important mental balance is at this level.

After that, I changed how I prepare. I watch video of opponents over and over. I wanted to understand their habits, strengths and what they might try against us. If something happens in a match that surprises me, it means I wasn’t ready enough. Real preparation means knowing not just how you want to play, but how your opponents might try to stop you.

My most meaningful title was in 2022. After losing the Tokyo 2020 final, I had a difficult year. I doubted myself. The World Championships in 2022 brought me back. It reminded me of who I was as a player and why I loved competing.

Away from the court, I joined a reality show in China called ‘Daddy at Home’, where celebrity dads care for babies. It was fun and chaotic, a different kind of pressure.

An image from the ‘Daddy at Home’ programme.

After retirement, I started to think more about the next generation. I opened my own badminton academy ZSwing in June and already more than 200 kids have joined. It’s still early days but my goal is to create a space for serious training and growth. At the end of the year, we will run an international camp. I will be head coach, but we will set a high level – I’m not great at teaching beginners yet.

And then there’s Paris where the World Championships will be held later this month. Paris will always be special to me. It’s where I finally won Olympic gold. It’s my favourite city in the world.

As for this year’s World Championships, I think there are several strong contenders in mixed doubles. Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping are always a dangerous and great pair to watch. Jiang Zhen Bang/Wei Ya Xin too. They’re supreme players at the top of their game. Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran are incredibly consistent. Dechapol has the best footwork in mixed doubles right now. The way he moves is so smooth and balanced. He covers space like no one else.

I also believe French pair Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue have the potential to reach the final, especially with the crowd behind them. Home support can lift you if you see it as energy, not pressure. I should know as I experienced that against them during the group stages at Paris 2024. They had an advantage and they can get that again. Their first Super 1000 title earlier this year should help boost their confidence too.

If I could give all players advice, it would be simple: relax. Go to the cinema. Watch a comedy. It helped me when I needed it most. Because when your mind is clear, your body will follow. And of course, good luck to everyone competing.