THE countdown is now officially on as we nearly reach 100 days to go until the 2017 TOTAL BWF World Championships! Over 350 competitors from over 50 countries will make their way to Glasgow’s Emirates Arena this August for the seven day knock-out tournament.

Among the countries competing will be China, the most successful country ever to have competed in the Badminton World Championships. China has won a total of 167 medals since the tournament began in 1977, and 61 of those were gold. At the 2015 World Championships, which took place in Jakarta, China took home six medals including Chen Long’s second consecutive gold in the Men’s Singles. 

The last time China competed in a world tournament in Scotland was in 2007, when Glasgow hosted the Sudirman Cup. The Chinese team beat Indonesia in the Finals, and won the tournament for the sixth time. This is the only time Lin Dan has played in Scotland, although he remembers it fondly saying, “In my memory, Scotland is a beautiful country.”

The 1997 IBF World Championships were also held in Glasgow, where China won nine medals in total; three gold, three silver and three bronze. All three of the medal positions in Women’s Singles were held by China that year; Ye Zhaoying won gold, Gong Zhichao won silver, and Han Jingna and Wang Chen both won bronze.

And now, in just 100 days, the World Championships will return to Glasgow and China promises to be a dominant force yet again, with strong competitors in all disciplines.

Defending Men’s Singles champion Chen Long has fallen short of automatic qualification for the TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017, so his fate lies in the hands of the Chinese Badminton Association and whether they will allow him to take another’s place in order to play for a hat-trick. China has three players above Chen in the Men’s Singles rankings – Shi Yuqi (No.5), Tian Houwei (No.7) and Lin Dan (No.8). Chen is short of the No.8 ranking by 1,404 points.

In the Women’s Singles, China will be represented by Sun Yu (No.6), He Bingjiao (No.7) and Chen Yufei, who won gold at last year’s World Junior Championships and is currently No.12.  World No.2 pair Li Junhui and Liu Yuchen will lead in Men’s Doubles, while Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan (No.5) will be amongst those to compete in Women’s Doubles. Chen Qingchen will also play in Mixed Doubles with partner, Zheng Siwei; they are currently ranked World No.1.

Tickets are selling quickly for what promises to be an exciting tournament, full of the finest badminton action. Head to www.glasgow2017.com today and secure your seat!