Xing a world champ on return to badminton

More than a decade after injuries forced her to walk away from the sport, former national badminton player Xing Aiying is rediscovering the thrill of competition again.

- Kimberly Kwek

Her professional career ended in 2013 when she was just 24, cutting short a journey that had already seen her become a multiple SEA Games medallist, a member of the women's team who clinched bronze at the 2006 Asian Games and an Olympian at Beijing 2008.

But the competitive streak in her remained. On Sept 14, Xing captured the women's singles 35+ title at the Badminton World Federation World Senior Championships after beating Japan's Konomi Nomura 21-18, 21-13 in the final.

The 36-year-old private coach said: "Twenty years ago, I won my first open championship (in the US), and 20 years later, I've won my first senior championship. I'm truly happy for myself."

It was her maiden appearance at the World Senior Championships, open to players aged 35 and above.

At the Eastern National Sports Training Centre in Pattaya, Thailand, Xing blazed through the field without dropping a game.

After receiving a bye in the round of 64 and a walkover against India's Sonal Kapil Jagdale in the next round, Xing swept Ukraine's Olha Buvaieva 21-8, 21-3 in the last 16, before easing past Japan's Yorika Kawata 21-4, 21-6 in the quarter-finals.