Source: REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad
[Saba Sports News] The Yiqiu Badminton Gym in Jiaxing welcomed a lively day — the Yonex store officially opened. As the manager of the gym, Wang Yilu personally presided over the event, and his national team teammates Han Chengkai and Ou Xuanyi also came specially to support him. They interacted with badminton fans on-site and exchanged skills. According to the information, Wang Yilu is from Jiaxing, Zhejiang, and is the first Olympic champion from Jiaxing. After retiring, Wang Yilu started his own Yiqiu Badminton Gym in his hometown. From the 12 standard courts on the first floor, to the championship corridor, book café, and gym on the second floor, and the office area on the third floor, every corner shows Wang Yilu’s touch. It can be said that this gym is Wang Yilu’s “base for his new career” and a personal space where he shares his passion for badminton. In the championship corridor on the second floor, there are his racket, jersey, and shoes that helped him win the mixed doubles title at the Tokyo Olympics, as well as many medals and trophies he has won through years of competition. Looking at these medals, one can almost see Wang Yilu’s past glory on the court. In addition to being the gym owner, Wang Yilu is now a teacher in the Department of Public Sports at Zhejiang University, responsible for badminton teaching and training the university team. Regarding this, Wang Yilu said that he has become a teacher who “pushes” students. Compared to his former self, who was fully immersed in training, he now understands the pressure of students’ studies and hopes they can gain something from badminton.