During a group-stage men’s doubles match at the BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China, a pro-China spectator shouted, “Taiwan is part of China,” according to Taiwan News.
The Match and Comeback
Taiwan’s Olympic gold medalists, Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin, were facing fellow Taiwanese players Yang Po-hsuan and Lee Jhe-huei. After losing the first set 16-21, Lee and Wang made a strong comeback, winning the next two sets 21-16 and 21-18 to reach the semi-finals.
Chants and Tension in the Crowd
During a timeout, the woman’s comment sparked a clash of chants. Some spectators cheered, while others, likely Taiwanese fans, responded with chants of “Taiwan,” Taiwan News reported.
Staying Focused Despite Disruption
Despite the disruption, Lee and Wang remained focused on the match. They smiled while waiting for the results of a challenge.
Post-Match Reflection
After the match, neither athlete commented directly on the incident. They chose to focus on the game and their teamwork. Lee later posted on social media, expressing his gratitude: “Each match I play now is one less, and every match everyone watches is one less. Like everyone, I cherish every moment on the court. Thank you, Chi-lin, Jhe-huei, and Po-hsuan. We agreed to play with joy and smile more on the court.”
Gratitude for the ‘Lin-Yang Duo’
Lee also added, “Even though our first match was an internal battle, it felt great to be back on the court with you all.” Wang echoed Lee’s sentiments, saying, “This familiar feeling makes me cherish every moment of the ‘Lin-Yang duo.'”