Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong Write New Legend at Indonesian Masters
At the Istola Stadium at the Indonesia Badminton Masters last week, the world badminton mixed doubles legend and former Indonesian national player Nasir presented the championship-winning national badminton mixed doubles team Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong with their award. The “IELTS” combination was thrilled after receiving the trophy from Nasir. This is their fifth time winning the Indonesian Masters, making them the combination that has won the tournament the most times. Having worked together for over six years, Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong are writing their own legendary stories along the way.
The partnership between Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong is seen as unique, with their cooperation regarded as a perfect match. In their first full season together in 2018, they won 9 championships and have maintained their top level ever since. Despite a brief separation after the Tokyo cycle, the duo regrouped and won 10 championships in 2022. Over the past six years, the “IELTS” combination has won three world championships and has been ranked first in the world five times. They are also the longest-lasting world No. 1 holders among active players.
As of the 2024 Indonesian Masters, the “IELTS” combination has participated in Indonesia 10 times and won 9 times, including 4 Indonesian Open championships and 5 Indonesian Masters championships. Zheng Siwei has won 39 championships in high-level tournaments, surpassing Lin Dan’s 38 championships, making him the first male player in the history of national badminton to achieve this. In addition, the “IELTS” combination has participated in a total of 305 international competitions, with a winning rate of 90.49%.
Behind these accolades is the “IELTS” combination’s fearless and tenacious struggle, never admitting defeat. They have faced adversity multiple times but always managed to come out on top. After playing in the Indonesia Masters, both Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong expressed their reluctance to leave the Istola Stadium, marking the end of an era for the legendary duo.
The “IELTS” combination currently ranks first in the Paris Olympics and continues to be a dominant force in the world of badminton. Their outstanding achievements place them on the honor list of winners of prestigious championships, solidifying their status as legends in the sport.