Beijing: The Chinese badminton world was rocked by a major development this week—World No. 5 men’s doubles duo He Jiting and Ren Xiangyu have officially removed from the 2025 Badminton Asia Championships (BAC). The pair, originally seeded No. 4 in the tournament, abruptly pulled out amid escalating controversy surrounding He Jiting’s personal conduct, which has sent shockwaves throughout the sport.
A Rising Star in Crisis
Born in 1998, He Jiting was once hailed as one of China’s most promising doubles specialists. He began his career with the Fujian provincial team in 2008, joined the national youth squad in 2014, and rose to the China national senior team by 2016. Over the years, he captured numerous titles including the World Junior Championships, the Sudirman Cup in 2021, and the Asian Mixed Team Championships in 2023. His partnership with Ren Xiangyu yielded quick success with their fast-paced attacking play and tight net control, earning them a career-high World No. 5 ranking.
However, He’s meteoric rise is now in jeopardy.
Scandal Unfolds: Gambling, Match-Fixing Allegations, and More
On April 1, He Jiting’s ex-girlfriend released a trove of chat logs that painted a disturbing picture. The allegations include:
Gambling and Potentially Match-Fixing: Screenshots reveal He participated in online gambling, reportedly losing over 30,000 Yuan between December 2022 and April 2023. Alarming claims surfaced that he even placed bets during the BWF World Championships.
Disrespect Toward Teammates and Officials: The chat logs show He using derogatory language towards several teammates, including Ren Xiangyu, Liu Yi, and Zhou Haodong, as well as insulting Chinese Badminton Association (CBA) president Zhang Jun.
Ethical Violations in Personal Conduct: He was accused of cheating during his relationship and allegedly accepted a Rolex watch from a female fan, citing a preference for “wealthy women who could benefit his career.”
The revelations have caused widespread outrage and triggered an internal investigation within the CBA. The Chinese General Administration of Sport has long maintained a zero-tolerance policy on gambling and match-fixing. Under national team rules, such violations could result in immediate expulsion.
Fallout and Withdrawals Confirmed
On April 7, the CBA unveiled its squad for the 2025 Sudirman Cup, He Jiting and Ren Xiangyu were notably removed from that squad. Just days later, the duo withdrew from the Badminton Asia Championships, further indicating disciplinary action may already be in motion.
For Ren Xiangyu, the consequences are collateral. Despite maintaining a strong performance record, his partnership with He has now been suspended, sidelining him from top-tier tournaments and disrupting his competitive momentum.
Implications and a Wake-Up Call for Chinese Badminton
This incident has ignited debate about athlete conduct and the need for stronger personal management in elite sports. The CBA held a meeting on April 7 emphasizing the importance of ethical conduct, team unity, and cracking down on toxic “fan culture” and external distractions.
“We must guide players—especially high-profile ones—to resist fame-driven pressure and uphold moral integrity both on and off the court,” said CBA President Zhang Jun.
He Jiting’s future remains uncertain. If the allegations are confirmed, he could face permanent expulsion from the China national badminton team. His rapid downfall serves as a cautionary tale and a critical reminder that no title outweighs the responsibility athletes carry as public figures and national representatives.
China’s Official 2025 Sudirman Cup Squad
Men’s Team: Shi Yuqi, Li Shifeng, Weng Hongyang, Liang Weikeng, Wang Chang, Liu Yi, Chen Boyang, Jiang Zhenbang, Guo Xinwa, Feng Yanzhe
Women’s Team: Chen Yufei, Wang Zhiyi, Han Yue, Tan Ning, Liu Shengshu, Jia Yifan, Chen Qingchen, Zhang Shuxian, Huang Dongping, Wei Yaxin
As the scandal continues to unfold, all eyes will be on the CBA’s next move—and whether He Jiting’s once-promising career has now come to an end.
