The Day of the Tournament
The opening day of the Asian Junior Championships buzzed with energy. The stadium in Beijing was filled to the brim, flags from various countries waving as fans cheered on their favorites. The Chinese national team, known for their dominance, entered with an air of confidence. All eyes were on them—not just for their skill, but for their potential to sweep the podiums.
Among them was Jian Chen, walking alongside his teammates. While the seeded players were calm and focused, Jian's mind was racing. This was his debut on an international stage. His match was the fourth in Group A for the men's singles, and while he wasn't seeded, he was ready to make a statement.
Match 1: Chinese Seeded Player 1 vs. Thai Opponent
The first match featured Zhang Weihao, China's top-seeded player, against a skilled opponent from Thailand. Zhang, known for his aggressive smashes and impeccable footwork, was expected to win handily.
The Thai player started strong, using deceptive net play and quick returns to keep Zhang on his toes. The first set was close, with Zhang narrowly winning 21-18 after a fierce exchange of smashes.
In the second set, Zhang shifted gears. His smashes became sharper, his placements more precise. The Thai player struggled to keep up as Zhang dominated, closing out the match 21-10. The crowd roared as Zhang walked off the court, his confidence unshaken.
Match 2: Chinese Seeded Player 2 vs. Malaysian Opponent
Next up was Liu Fang, the second seed from China, facing a tactical opponent from Malaysia. Liu's style was methodical, relying on long rallies and patience to wear down his rivals.
The first set showcased Liu's control of the game. He moved the Malaysian player across the court, forcing errors and taking the set 21-15.
However, the second set was a different story. The Malaysian player adjusted, launching a series of powerful smashes and aggressive net attacks. The set went into a tiebreak, but Liu held his nerve, winning 23-21. The Chinese team celebrated another victory.
Match 3: Chinese Seeded Player 3 vs. South Korean Opponent
The third match was a surprise upset. Wu Zhen, the third seed from China, faced a strong South Korean opponent who was unseeded but well-prepared.
Wu started confidently, using his sharp smashes to dominate early rallies. He took the first set 21-13, and it seemed like the match was his to lose.
But the South Korean player fought back in the second set, exploiting Wu's overconfidence with precise drop shots and sudden smashes. Wu faltered, losing the set 19-21.
In the final set, the South Korean player maintained his momentum. Wu, visibly frustrated, made unforced errors, ultimately losing the match 17-21. The Chinese team's winning streak was broken.
Match 4: Jian Chen vs. Japanese Opponent
The fourth match was Jian Chen's debut, and the crowd buzzed with anticipation. His opponent was Takahiro Yamamoto, a skilled player from Japan known for his defensive play and sharp counterattacks.
Both players were unranked, making the matchup unpredictable. As they stepped onto the court, Jian adjusted his weighted vest and ankle straps, the combined 40 kilograms barely slowing him down.
First Set:
The match began at a blistering pace. Jian's aggressive smashes tested Takahiro's defense, while Takahiro countered with pinpoint drop shots and deep clears.
At 10-10, Jian shifted tactics, mixing deceptive cross-court drops with sudden smashes. The Japanese player struggled to keep up as Jian pulled ahead, taking the first set 21-14.
Second Set:
Takahiro adjusted his game, playing longer rallies to tire Jian out. But Jian's conditioning—and his weighted training—shone through. Despite the grueling rallies, Jian maintained his precision and power.
At 15-13, Jian unleashed a series of unreturnable smashes, closing out the match 21-15. The crowd erupted as Jian walked off the court, his debut an undeniable success.
Watching Li Wei's Match
While his teammates returned to the hotel to rest, Jian stayed behind, blending into the crowd to watch Li Wei's first match. She was playing against an Indonesian opponent known for her aggressive net play.
Li Wei started strong, her graceful movements and precise smashes keeping her opponent on the backfoot. But midway through the first set, Li Wei's eyes caught Jian sitting in the stands.
Her expression shifted instantly from focused to furious. She tightened her grip on her racket, and her intensity skyrocketed.
The first set, initially close, ended 21-18 in Li Wei's favor. The second set was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Fueled by her irritation, Li Wei overwhelmed her opponent, winning 21-11.
As the match ended, Li Wei shot a glare at Jian, who smirked knowingly before slipping out of the stands.
The Reporters' Questions
Outside the stadium, a crowd of reporters waited for Jian. Cameras clicked, and microphones were shoved toward him as soon as he appeared.
"Chen Jian, incredible debut! How did it feel to play your first international match?"
"Are you still using the weighted gear we've heard so much about?"
"What's your take on the Chinese team's overall performance today?"
Jian raised a hand for silence before addressing the most persistent question.
"Yes, I'm still using weights," he said bluntly. "I've added another 20 kilograms, so it's 40 total now."
The reporters gasped, their murmurs filling the air. Jian, unbothered, gave a small nod. "That's all for now. I need to rest."
Returning to the Hotel
By the time Jian arrived at the hotel, exhaustion had finally caught up with him. As he flopped onto his bed, he replayed the day's events in his mind.
"40 kilograms," he muttered, smirking to himself. "They'll never let that go."
But as his eyes closed, his thoughts wandered to Li Wei's fiery glare and the way her game transformed when she saw him. He sighed, shaking his head.
"This tournament's going to be interesting," he murmured before drifting off to sleep, ready for whatever the next day would bring.
HOW HE JOINED THE NATIONAL TEAM
After his dominating performance at Nationals and the growing buzz surrounding his weighted training regimen, Jian Chen's name reached the upper echelons of Chinese badminton. The coaches of the Chinese National Junior Team had been keeping tabs on him, impressed by his rapid rise and unconventional methods.
It wasn't long before Jian received the call.
The Invitation
One crisp morning, Jian was in the middle of a brutal training session at the academy when Coach Liu approached him with an envelope.
"What's this?" Jian asked, pausing mid-drill, sweat dripping from his face.
"Open it," Liu said with a rare smile.
Jian tore open the envelope and scanned the contents. His eyes widened as he read the official letter:
"Congratulations, Chen Jian. You have been selected to join the Chinese National Junior Badminton Team for the upcoming Asian Junior Championships."
Jian's lips twitched into a small smile, but his response was characteristically blunt. "About time."
Coach Liu laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. "Don't get cocky. This is just the beginning. You're stepping onto a bigger stage now, and the competition will be even fiercer."
Jian nodded, folding the letter and tucking it into his bag. "Then I'll just have to train harder."
Training with the National Team
Joining the Chinese National Junior Team was like entering another world. The intensity was on an entirely different level. The coaches, led by Head Coach Zhang Qiang, were relentless in their pursuit of excellence.
Daily Regimen
Morning Conditioning: Every day began with a 10-kilometer run, followed by plyometric drills to build explosive power. Weighted vests were mandatory for all players, though Jian, already accustomed to them, increased his load to 40 kilograms.
Technical Drills: Hours were spent perfecting every stroke—smashes, drops, clears, and net play. The coaches demanded precision, repeating each movement until it became second nature.
Match Simulations: Players faced each other in high-pressure matches, with the coaches shouting instructions and critiques from the sidelines. The emphasis was on adaptability and mental toughness.
Strength Training: In the evenings, players hit the gym, lifting weights to build endurance and strength. Jian's weighted training gave him an edge, but even he felt the burn after hours of relentless workouts.
The Pressure
Coach Zhang Qiang was particularly tough on Jian, aware of the young player's potential but unwilling to let him rest on his laurels.
"You think talent is enough?" Zhang barked during one particularly grueling drill. "Talent is just the starting point. Champions are made through sweat, pain, and discipline!"
Jian, gasping for breath after a brutal round of reaction drills, met the coach's gaze with his usual calm demeanor. "Then give me more."
Zhang smirked, signaling the assistants to increase the shuttle feeder's speed. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
The other players watched in awe as Jian continued to push himself, his movements sharp despite the punishing pace.
Bonding with Teammates
Despite the intense training, Jian found moments to bond with his teammates.
Zhang Weihao and Liu Fang, the top two players, initially viewed Jian as competition but quickly grew to respect him after witnessing his dedication.
Jian's blunt personality often drew laughter, especially during team dinners. When one player complained about the workload, Jian simply said, "Then quit. The court doesn't care about your excuses."
The Final Test
A month before the Asian Junior Championships, the coaches organized an internal ranking tournament to finalize the team lineup. Jian faced off against the best players, including Zhang Weihao and Liu Fang, and proved his mettle.
In the final match, Jian faced Zhang Weihao. It was a fierce battle of smashes and tactical plays, but Jian's adaptability and relentless training shone through. He won the match 21-18, 21-17, securing his place as one of the top players on the team.
Preparation for the Asian Junior Championships
As the tournament approached, the intensity of training reached its peak.
Endurance Matches: Players were required to play back-to-back games without breaks to simulate the fatigue of a real tournament.
Pressure Drills: Coaches deliberately created high-pressure scenarios, forcing players to make split-second decisions under stress.
Mental Training: Meditation sessions were introduced to help players maintain focus and composure during matches.
Jian thrived under the pressure, his performance setting the standard for the rest of the team.
Coach Zhang's Final Words
On the eve of their departure for the tournament, Coach Zhang gathered the team for a final pep talk.
"Tomorrow, you step onto the court not just as individuals, but as representatives of China," he said, his voice firm. "The world will be watching. Give them a reason to remember your names."
He turned to Jian, his gaze sharp. "And you, Chen Jian. You've shown us what you're capable of. Now it's time to prove it on the biggest stage."
Jian met his coach's eyes and nodded. "I will."
Ready for the World
As the team boarded the bus to the airport, Jian felt a rare mix of nerves and excitement. The Asian Junior Championships awaited, and he was ready to show the world what he could do.
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