[Saba Sports News] In the second round of the Thomas Cup group stage held in Denmark, Team China defeated Canada 4-1 to secure a spot in the knockout stage ahead of schedule. However, concerning news emerged as Shi Yuqi suffered a health issue.
According to Badminton Magazine, shortly after the team submitted the line-up the night before the match, Shi Yuqi suddenly came down with acute gastroenteritis in the middle of the night. He was plagued by severe abdominal pain, diarrhea and serious dehydration, leaving him extremely weak. His condition showed no improvement after arriving at the venue on match day, making it impossible for him to compete. Taking his physical condition and upcoming fixtures into comprehensive consideration, he decided to withdraw from the tie and return to the team hotel for rest. It remains uncertain whether he will be available for subsequent matches.
Under BWF regulations, team line-ups are final once submitted and cannot be altered. As Shi Yuqi fell ill only after the roster was confirmed, Team China was unable to make a last-minute replacement, resulting in a default 0-1 defeat in the opening men’s singles match. Fans familiar with Shi Yuqi are aware that gastroenteritis has been a recurring chronic health issue for him for years. It has flared up repeatedly in crucial tournaments, forcing him to stick to liquid foods such as millet congee in his daily diet, which has directly impaired his competitive form.
In my opinion, Shi Yuqi’s withdrawal is a helpless result caused by long-standing cumulative health problems. While it has dealt a short-term blow to the Chinese badminton team’s campaign, his timely withdrawal prevents his condition from worsening and serves the long-term interests of the athlete’s career. He has repeatedly competed through illness throughout his career, which reflects remarkable professionalism. Meanwhile, it also highlights the urgent need to strengthen health management for athletes amid the high-intensity global tournament schedule.