上海
Shanghai Badminton Gateway 羽球门道
Chinese-International
Badminton Exchange
Badminton Exchange
DATES
09.08 → 09.16
Location
Shanghai, China
Camp fee
1890 USD
For the last thirty years, China has been the most dominant badminton country. The Chinese pro player development pipeline is the most competitive in the world. "National institution." "Athlete factories." "Endless talent pool." These are some of the ways in which other countries describe the Chinese system.
In big provinces where badminton is popular, a provincial champion is one in a million. If your goal is to become a professional player, China is the place to be.
Yet badminton in China isn't just for future Olympians. China has 250 million recreational players. Every weekend, there's a major open tournament happening here in Shanghai, plus dozens of weeklies and monthlies scattered all over the city. It's a completely different world compared to many other countries where badminton is a niche sport. Every badminton lover should experience it at least once.
But for foreigners, training here has always been inaccessible. You have to know a guy who knows a guy who knows a coach. And even then, you don't know what you're going to get: the quality of training, the club and living arrangements, navigating the language barrier. Most people can't find a way in.
I've spent years playing at a high level and living in China, and I've always wanted to share this world with others who love the sport as much as I do. That's why I'm organizing this training camp and more to come.
Hope to see you there!
Your host,
Louis
What I'll be doing:
My first impression of Li Qihang was watching him compete at a high-level tournament here in Shanghai.
He was already retired by then, so he wasn't in peak form. And he's not a player with crazy physical gifts, like a Viktor Axelsen or Anthony Ginting. Yet every stroke was powerful when it needed to be and always efficient. His footwork was the same, zero wasted effort. I could see immediately that he was playing badminton differently from everybody else.
A few months later, when my friend Josh came to Shanghai for a month and asked me to help him coordinate his training, I took him to Coach Li.
Josh is a SU5 category Paralympic player. He's missing his left arm, which changes his footwork, balance, stroke mechanics, everything. Coach Li studied Josh's gameplay, figured out exactly what he needed, and tailored a training regimen just for him.
In two weeks, he completely transformed Josh's form and footwork.
Over the course of 2 hours translating and recording for Josh, I learned more than I had in all of my years training as a junior player back in the USA.
I've worked with many Chinese coaches, but I didn't feel any of them were worth flying across the world for, that they could teach you something you couldn't get at home. Coach Li was different. I wanted other badminton lovers to experience his training for themselves.
Group discounts are available. Contact Louis with player details to discuss.
Budget additional cash for dinners and evening activities.
Shanghai is a beautiful city and you'll want to explore it.
China has a 30-day visa-free agreement with 50 countries. Be sure to check if your country requires a visa before your trip and arrange accordingly.
