Bhubaneswar: Guwahati is witnessing a unique blend of experience and youth as Chinese badminton legend Chen Long takes on the role of mentor at the BWF World Junior Championships 2025. The 36-year-old Olympic medalist—gold in 2016, silver in 2021, and bronze in 2012—has shifted from dominating courts to shaping future champions.
Long, who won both World Junior and senior titles, knows what it takes to transition from promising junior to elite senior player. “It’s a great opportunity for them if they win gold; if not, they have a last chance. It depends on how they perform in the future,” he said. Under his guidance, the focus is on hunger and determination, not just raw talent.
China has a storied history at the World Juniors, but recent years have seen more competition from Indonesia and other nations. Rising star Xu Wenjing, 17, is among the juniors to watch, having already claimed an individual gold earlier this year.
After retiring in 2021, Long embraced coaching to stay connected to the sport, now guiding his protégés through intense training and the challenges of the new 45-point two-set relay format. His aim: to maintain China’s supremacy while nurturing the next generation of badminton stars.
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