Paris 2024 badminton: All results, as Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong strike mixed doubles gold - and a wedding ring
An Olympic gold medal and a wedding ring on the same day. Life doesn’t get much better.
People’s Republic of China’s Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong took home badminton’s first gold medal of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Friday (2 August), in the mixed doubles over Seo Seungjae and Chae Yujung of the Republic of Korea.
There was virtually no stopping Zheng/Huang, who ran roughshod over their opponents 21-8, 21-11.
Seo and Chae were up very briefly early in the second game but apart from that, the Tokyo 2020 silver medallists never looked to be in doubt.
After the medal ceremony, Huang was proposed by team-mate and men’s doubles player, Liu Yuchen who got on his knees and popped the question before another full house at La Chapelle Arena that erupted at the surprise exchange on court.
“I cannot describe the feeling I have because I am happy, happy, happy,” said Huang, who was in tears as she nodded yes. “Getting the gold medal is recognition of our journey.
“I was surprised by the engagement ring. I’ve been focusing on training to become an Olympic champion. I never expected it.
“I haven’t thought about how we will celebrate.”
From left, mixed doubles silver medallists Kim Wonho/Jeong Naeun of the Republic of Korea; gold medallists Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong the People's Republic of China; bronze medallists Watanabe Yuta/Higashino Arisa.
Victory for the Chinese pair couldn’t have been sweeter after they were beaten in the Tokyo 2020 final by compatriots Wang Yilyu and Huang Dongping, who since have dissolved.
This past season, Zheng and Huang have not been as dominant as they were in 2022 but still remained the prohibitive favourites. The gold medal in Paris was for them to lose.
And they absolutely made sure they didn’t.
Despite being in total control of the match, Zheng/Huang did not take their foot off the pedal: “It may have seemed like we had it in the bag but we were not going to let up because we know the Koreans are a good team,” Zheng said. “No matter what the score was, we were not going to let up.”
Zheng, 27, said these Games would likely be his last, thanking his family who couldn’t be with them three years ago in Tokyo.
“This time I also brought my family and children to Paris, and they were there at the venue. I booked their tickets last year, as tickets could be hard to get if purchased late.
“But last year, when the Olympic qualifying was not yet settled, it was a bit risky. At that time, amid such intense competition, I couldn't be sure I would qualify.
“But no matter what, I think this might be my last Olympics, and I wanted to make the most of it because their presence really gives me a lot of strength. Besides our families, there were so many fans and friends at the venue.
“The support they gave us was much greater than we could have imagined. So I'm very, very grateful to them.”
Japan's Watanabe Yuta and Higashino Arisa held on to their bronze medal from Tokyo after beating the the Republic of Korea's Seo Seungjae and Chae Yujung 21-13, 22-20.
Badminton mixed doubles
Gold - Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong, People's Republic of China
Silver - Kim Wonho and Jeong Naeun, Republic of Korea
Bronze - Watanabe Yuta and Higashino Arisa, Japan