Tian Bingyi

Li Yongbo and Tian Bingyi won two World Championship titles (1987, 1989), making them the first men’s doubles pair to successfully defend their world title. They also won three consecutive Thomas Cups (1986, 1988, 1990) with the Chinese team. They competed and won at Seoul 1988 where badminton was a demonstration sport. In 1992, when badminton was added to the Olympic programme for the first time, Li / Tian earned the bronze medal, to mark the end of their playing careers.

After retirement, Tian remained Li’s best partner. In 1993, when Li took charge of the national team, Tian became the head coach of women’s doubles of Chinense national team. Later, he became the vice-chief coach of the national team, serving as Li’s right-hand man. In 1998, when coaches of the national team, including Li Mao and Li Lingwei, expressed strong disssatifaction towards Li Yongbo and resigned, Tian kept standing by Li Yongbo’s side. In 2017, when Li left the national team, Tian left gone together.

Tian Bingyi was inducted into the BWF Hall of Fame in 2011, together with Li Yongbo, of course.