Coaching bringing out different emotions in Chen

THE adrenaline rush that comes with success, the heart-wrenching feeling that fills the mind after a loss, Chen Long, considered to be one of the badminton GOATS, experienced different shades of emotions here at the BWF World Junior Championships.

- ANMOL GURUNG

Known to be stoic during his playing career, Chen, who was here as one of the coaches of the China junior badminton team, had endured some testing moments in his role, which he had taken up soon after his playing career in 2023. Dissecting the matches from coaches' designated chairs, Saturday was one such instance when the celebrated Chen was subjected to almost two hours of absolute rollercoaster.

In what was a mixed day for China in the men's singles discipline, Li Zhi Hang, lost a gruelling battle that lasted an hour while Liu Yang Ming Yu brought some cheers to the team camp by battling his way into the final. It was certainly a tough watch for the former Olympic champion. "It's more stressful as a coach for now.