Source:REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
[Saba Sports News] With HU Zhean and ZHU Xuanchen rising to prominence, the competitive landscape in the Chinese men’s singles badminton team has changed. LU Guangzu and LEI Lianxi now find themselves in an awkward position within the team. Especially LEI Lianxi, whose performance in the 2025 season was poor. He withdrew from the Singapore Open before the warm-up and did not participate in the Indonesia Open, two 300-series events in June, and the Hong Kong Open in August. This led to rumors that he might leave the national team. Although the Chinese Badminton Association has not officially announced anything, based on his participation schedule, his future in the team looks uncertain. LU Guangzu’s situation is similar. With SHI Yuqi and LI Shifeng firmly occupying the main positions, and younger players such as WENG Hongyang, WANG Zhengxing, ZHU Xuanchen, and HU Zhean making a push, his chances in the team are becoming fewer. With increasing age, more injuries, and significant fluctuations in form this year, it has been reported that LU Guangzu and LEI Lianxi may both retire from the Chinese Badminton National Team by the end of the year.