CHENGDU: Chinese shuttler Shi Yuqi is out to make up for lost time after missing the last Thomas Cup Finals.
Yuqi was serving a 10-month ban from the Chinese Badminton Association (CBA) for misconduct and was forced to sit out the prestigious team meet in Bangkok in 2022.
In his absence, China suffered a quarter-final exit after losing 0-3 to eventual runners-up Indonesia.
Yuqi made his return to competitive action towards the end of 2022 and has swiftly regained his best form.
The 28-year-old moved up to No. 2 in the world rankings after capturing the Indian and French Open titles in January and March respectively.
Yuqi now has his sights set firmly on helping China regain the Thomas Cup crown that they last won in 2018 in Bangkok.
“I could not play in the last Thomas Cup and I was sad to see China lose in the last eight,” said Yuqi.
“It feels good to be back in the team this time and I want to help the team win the title. We have a strong team and we want to do well here.”
China are one of the favourites to win the title with Yuqi joined by the likes of Hangzhou Asian Games gold medallist and 2023 All-England champion Li Shifeng, world No. 1 doubles pair Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang and world No. 8 Liu Yuchen-Ou Xuanyi in the team.
They will be ably supported by Weng Hongyang (No. 16), Lu Guangzu (No. 19) and He Jiting-Ren Xiangyu (No. 11) in the doubles.
The team will also have the advantage of playing at home at the Hi Tech Zone Sports Center in Chengdu.
Yuqi and Yuchen are the only two members of the current team that were also part of the 2018 title winning team.
China have made it into the quarter-finals after easily beating Australia and Canada 5-0 in their opening two Group A matches.
