China launched its Sudirman Cup campaign with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Algeria on Sunday, showcasing their dominance in the world of badminton’s premier mixed-team championship. Hosted in Xiamen, Fujian Province, the defending champions delivered a flawless performance, leaving no doubt about their determination to retain the title.
The world’s top-ranked mixed doubles pair, Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin, set the tone with a commanding 21-11, 21-13 win against Algeria’s Koceila Mammeri and Tanina Violettle Mammeri. Wei highlighted the significance of team events, saying, "Every point matters for the squad"—a sentiment reflecting China’s collective focus.
World No. 2 Wang Zhiyi and men’s singles star Shi Yuqi extended the lead to 3-0 with decisive straight-game victories. Shi, a Sudirman Cup veteran, emphasized his longevity: "Playing my fifth Sudirman Cup shows I’ve maintained my level for a long time." The sweep was sealed by Olympic gold medalists Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan in women’s doubles, alongside debutants Chen Boyang and Liu Yi in men’s doubles.
Thailand claimed a 5-0 win against Hong Kong, China, in Group A, while South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Denmark, and Indonesia also secured early victories. The tournament, running through May 4, highlights Asia’s continued badminton supremacy, with six of the top eight seeds hailing from the region.
