Badminton Domination, Grand Slam Hopes, and Winter Universiade Delegation Announced

A Week in Review

With just 30 days until the 9th Asian Winter Games, host city Harbin is buzzing with excitement. The Games have attracted a record 1,275 athletes from 34 countries and regions across Asia. The competition schedule has been released, with ice hockey and curling events kicking off on February 3 and 4, respectively. The first gold medal will be awarded on the morning of February 8.

Chinese badminton players made a strong showing at the Malaysia Open, reaching the semifinals in all categories. Li Shifeng and Shi Yuqi both secured victories in the men's singles, while three Chinese pairs advanced to the women's doubles semifinals. Chen Boyang/Liu Yi and Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping also progressed to the semifinals in the men's and mixed doubles, respectively.

Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen is aiming to win her first Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open. Most of the 11 Chinese players have received a favorable draw, avoiding seeded players in the opening round. Zheng could face compatriot Yuan Yue in the third round before a potential quarterfinal clash with Aryna Sabalenka.

China has officially announced its delegation for the 2025 FISU Winter World University Games in Turin, Italy. The delegation includes 48 athletes from 13 universities, who will compete in various winter sports. The athletes' average age is 22, with 45 of them making their debut at a world multi-sport event.

Chinese freeskier Liu Mengting captured her first FIS Freeski World Cup victory in the women's big air event in Klagenfurt, Austria. Liu achieved a personal breakthrough with a total score of 170.60 points, edging out Flora Tabanelli of Italy. This is the second big air victory for a Chinese freeskier, following Gu Ailing's triumph in Steamboat, USA, during the 2020-21 season.