Japan’s Badminton Stars Part Ways After 2025 World Championships, Eyeing New Challenges
All good things must come to an end, and for badminton fans, that reality struck on July 8 when women’s doubles partners Chiharu Shida and Nami Matsuyama announced they would be going their separate ways after the conclusion of the 2025 Badminton World Championships in Paris (August 25-31).
The Japanese duo, who celebrated their most recent title at the 2025 All England Open in March, has enjoyed immense success together since joining forces in their teenage years, winning 12 BWF World Tour titles and 14 runner-up finishes.Currently ranked No. 2 in the world, Shida and Matsuyama will team up with new partners after the Paris tournament, with their final competition together being in Paris – the city where they earned a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics.
Badminton Stars Seek New Challenges
- Shida aims to become the best in the world and has paired up with Arisa Igarashi, who switches from mixed doubles to women’s doubles. Shida is motivated to bring her new partner glory and is determined to win the world championship in Paris.
- Matsuyama, feeling she has reached her peak level in women’s doubles, will shift to mixed doubles, hoping to find renewed success in the new format after parting ways with her long-time partner.
related:
- Baseball:三名日本选手入选MLB明星队
- Soccer:Initialized }.jpg” alt=”Japan’s Michael Leitch tries to run past a Wales player in the first half of a test match on July 12 in Kobe. (KYODO)” width=”1024″ height=”957″ />
Japan’s Michael Leitch tries to run past a Wales player in the first half of a test match on July 12 in Kobe. (KYODO)
Wales Topples Japan, Ends 18-Match Losing Streak
In a test match held on July 12 in Kobe, Wales snapped a 18-match losing streak by defeating Japan 31-22, thanks in part to a strong first-half performance that put them ahead 21-3.
The Brave Blossoms fought back in the second half, with tries from Shuhei Takeuchi and Seungsin Lee, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a determined Welsh squad. The loss marked Japan’s second consecutive defeat after losing to Wales 24-19 in Kitakyushu on July 5.
related:
- Auto Racing: mediante su página de Facebook, escribió: “Este año es un nuevo desafío para el equipo 63 @AkinoriPerformance14, pero estoy ganando experiencia y organizando el equipo mientras nos preparamos para la segunda mitad de la temporada y el 2026.” El veterano piloto de carreras Akinori Ogata, de 51 años, compite en la NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series y la NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
- Golf:En el último ranking mundial de golf femenino de Rolex del 7 de julio, siete japonesas figuran entre las 50 primeiras: Mao Saigo (9ª), Rio Takeda (13ª), Ayaka Furue (16ª), Miyuu Yamashita (18ª), Akie Iwai (25ª), Chisato Iwai (28ª) y Nasa Hataoka (48ª).