Hong Kong Badminton: Tse Ying Suet Pairs with 17-Year-Old Star Zhang Shicheng for Asian Games
AM730 · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong badminton veteran Tse Ying Suet will team up with 17-year-old prodigy Zhang Shicheng for mixed doubles at the 2026 Nagoya Asian Games after her long-time partner Tang Chun Man was ruled out with a serious knee injury. The new pairing, announced at a press conference held by the Hong Kong Sports Institute and Hong Kong Badminton Association on August 28, faces the challenging task of reaching the quarterfinals. Zhang, who turns 18 in September, has shown significant promise, clinching silver in the mixed doubles at last year's Asian Youth Games and gold at the Indonesia Junior International Grand Prix in June 2024.
Key Points
- Tang Chun Man suffered an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) rupture during training, forcing him out of his fifth Asian Games campaign
- Tse Ying Suet, at 35 years old, is approximately twice the age of her new partner Zhang Shicheng, who stands 1.90 metres tall
- The Hong Kong squad comprises 10 male and 10 female athletes competing across singles, doubles, and team events
- Men's singles will feature Lee Cheuk Yiu, who turned 30 on August 28, and Ng Ka Long, with Lee adopting a more aggressive playing style
- The women's doubles pair Yang Ya-ting and Yang Pei-lin reached the World Championships quarterfinals earlier this year, providing a confidence boost
Why It Matters
This partnership marks a significant generational transition for Hong Kong badminton, as Tse Ying Suet takes on a mentorship role in what is likely her final Asian Games appearance, while Zhang Shicheng represents the next generation of Hong Kong talent aiming to establish themselves on the international stage .
This partnership marks a significant generational transition for Hong Kong badminton, as Tse Ying Suet takes on a mentorship role in what is likely her final Asian Games appearance, while Zhang Shicheng represents the next generation of Hong Kong talent aiming to establish themselves on the international stage .