Source:
REUTERS/Arko Datta
[Saba
Sports News] He was once hailed as the rising star of Chinese badminton, having
clinched the mixed doubles championship in international competitions. However,
his career was tragically cut short by a heart disease, depriving him of the
opportunity to showcase his talent at the Olympics. His name is Xie Zhongbo, a
former national badminton player and world champion from Sichuan, China. Since
retiring, Xie Zhongbo has dedicated himself to the development of badminton in
his hometown, and his efforts have finally borne fruit. The Sichuan Provincial
Sports Bureau recently announced that Xie Zhongbo has been appointed as the
director of the Badminton Management Center at Sichuan Sports Vocational
College, with a one-year probationary period. Some fans have noted that Sichuan
Sports Vocational College is a department-level institution, and Xie Zhongbo’s
appointment as the director of the badminton management center signifies his
elevation to a deputy department-level official. Xie Zhongbo has embarked on a
new path in the realm of sports administration, and only he knows the
challenges he has faced along the way. Information reveals that Xie Zhongbo was
born in 1982 and specialized in mixed doubles. Standing at a height of nearly
1.90 meters, he possessed formidable offensive and defensive skills in the
backcourt. He secured the mixed doubles runner-up position at the 2004 Athens
Olympics, claimed the mixed doubles championship at the 2005 World
Championships and the 2005 World Cup, and stood on the podium twice at the
prestigious Thomas Cup. However, he fell short of capturing an Olympic gold
medal and achieving a Grand Slam due to his heart condition. Xie Zhongbo’s tall
stature placed strain on his heart during prolonged periods of intense physical
activity, making it an insurmountable obstacle to reaching higher goals.
Ultimately, he underwent heart surgery in 2008 and chose to retire, missing out
on the opportunity to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.