Source: Sipa USA/Sports Press Photo
[Saba Sports News] In the men’s singles final at the 2025 Germany Youth Badminton International, young Chinese player Liu Yang Mingyu fought hard for three games to defeat Japanese player Hyuga Takano, claiming victory again after last week’s championship in the Netherlands. Reports indicate that both the Netherlands and Germany tournaments featured a men’s singles draw of 128 players, and Liu Yang Mingyu, as a non-seeded player, did not receive a bye. Starting from the first round, he has now achieved a 14-match winning streak, with some matches being easy sweeps and others requiring three grueling games to win. Regardless of the circumstances, Liu Yang Mingyu secured victories, showcasing a calmness and composure beyond his years. It’s noteworthy that, given that each tournament lasts five days, Liu Yang Mingyu often faces the challenge of double matches in a single day, requiring him to overcome both physical and mental strains. His outstanding performance in the first two youth international tournaments of 2025 is attributed to having a “mentor” behind him: Olympic champion Chen Long, who took over as coach of the Chinese Youth Badminton Team at the end of last year. As the men’s singles champion at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Chen Long is known for his excellent physical condition, solid defense, and strong ball control. Now, his protégé Liu Yang Mingyu has learned from Chen Long’s strengths, and it’s believed that he will become one of the brightest new stars in the badminton world as he transitions into the senior team.