Badminton superstar has golden farewell goal: There is no pity involved in my decision

WUHAN (CHN) - Chinese badminton superstar LI Xuerui is bowing out from the elite level of the sport at the Wuhan Military World Games.

The 2012 London Olympic gold medallist shocked the sport when she announced her retirement just a week ago after a three-year battle with a serious knee injury.

However she could not say ‘no’ to a home country performance at the Wuhan Games. On Thursday night she was first-up in the opening women’s singles group play stage at Wuhan University Student Sports Center, showing patches of her brilliant best in her 21-8, 21-6 win over Poland’s Olga MIKSZA.

LI said although she had retired from international tournaments she would continue to play at a domestic level.

“This will be my last international tournament,” she said. “But I am not sad, or disappointed. There is no pity involved in my decision.

“Although this will be my last elite competition, I am not emotional. I will treat it like any other tournament.”

The 28-year-old has been one of the most dominant women’s players across the past decade. She stormed onto the scene in 2010, winning the Asia Championships.

LI then went on to London Olympic gold in 2012, was judged Badminton World Federation Female Player of the Year in 2013 and went on to amass 14 Superseries titles.

However, disaster struck at the 2016 Rio Olympics when the celebrity shuttler collapsed to the floor after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee.

LI did make a successful comeback after a year out of the sport, winning a hat-trick of titles, including the US Open and the Canada Open, but struggled to consistently reclaim her stellar form, leading to her decision to retire.

LI said she was happy with her performance on Thursday night and was hopeful of a gold medal.

The men’s and women’s badminton singles, doubles and the mixed doubles continue Friday leading to medal matches at Wuhan University Student Sports Center on Saturday.

(Xinhua Info)