Zhao Yunlei
Zhao Yunlei is a mixed and women's doubles badminton athlete from China. She graduated with a BA from Huazhong University of Science and Technology. She is the first and only badminton player to have ever won two Gold medals in the same Olympic edition, winning in both the Mixed and Women's Doubles categories in 2012. Zhao joins the ranks with nine other players with two Olympic Gold Medals, the highest number of Gold Medals won by any badminton athlete. Through her performance at the 2014 and 2015 BWF World Championships, she became the first player to win two consecutive gold medals in two consecutive BWF World Championships.
As of the 2015 BWF World Championships, she has become the most successful player in World Championship medal count, with a total of ten medals, overtaking Gao Ling, who has a total of nine. In addition, by winning the 2015 BWF World Championships Mixed Doubles title, she and partner Zhang Nan have won three World Championship Mixed Doubles titles, the first pairing ever to have done so. By winning the Asian Games Mixed Doubles Gold Medal in 2014, Zhao completed the record of winning the Double "Grand Slam" – winning the Olympics, World Championships, Asian Games, Asia Championships, and All-England Championships in both the Mixed Doubles and Women's Doubles categories, as well as the World Mixed Team Championships, World Women's Team Championships, Asian Games Women's Team Gold Medal, and Asia Women's Team Championships.
She is regarded by many as one of the best female doubles players in the history of badminton alongside past greats, such as former teammate Gao Ling. Zhao has achieved massive overall success in both the Mixed and Women's Doubles categories, having won a total of 63 individual career titles. Among these 63 individual titles, 42 of them are Super Series titles, making her the third most successful player in terms of overall Super Series achievements, and the most-successful female player in this regard as well. After the 2016 Olympics, Zhao retired from international badminton competition.
Career
Zhao played with Tian Qing in the women's doubles and with Zhang Nan in the mixed doubles. She and Zhang Nan were the World Ranked Number One pairing in Mixed Doubles. In Women's Doubles, she and Tian Qing were World Number One's in Women's Doubles. She had been Cheng Shu's women's doubles partner before pairing with Tian Qing. She is the first and only badminton player to win two gold medals in the same Olympic edition.2010
Zhao and Zhang won the 2010 All England Open Mixed Doubles title, being the first players and pairing to have ever won the title through beginning at the qualifying stage. Zhao and Tian won the 2010 Asian Games gold medal after vanquishing compatriots Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang 20–22, 21–15, and 21–12. Zhao also participated in China's women's team which gain a gold medal too.2011
In January, Zhao and Zhang won the 2010 VICTOR-BWF World Super Series Finals in Taiwan, in the Mixed Doubles category, after defeating Sudket Prapakamol and Saralee Thungthongkam of Thailand 21–17, 21–12 in the final. Zhao also reached the final in the Women's Doubles category with Cheng. Two weeks later, they triumphed at Seoul by winning the Korea Open Super Series Premier. In the final, they conquered compatriots Tao Jiaming and Tian Qing. Zhao and Tian reached the women's doubles final as well. In August, at the 2011 BWF World Championships in London, Zhao and Zhang won the Mixed Doubles title, with this being Zhao's first ever overall World Championship Gold Medal and first ever Mixed Doubles World Championship Gold Medal. She also won a silver medal in the Women's Doubles category with Tian as well. In October, Zhao Yunlei and Zhang Nan reached the Denmark Open Super Series Premier Mixed Doubles semi-final but they lost to Denmark's Joachim Fischer Nielsen and Christinna Pedersen 12–21, 21–14, and 20–22. However, Zhao and Zhao managed to reverse this, by winning against Nielsen and Pedersen in the Mixed Doubles finals at both the Hong Kong Open Super Series and China Open Super Series Premier. In December, Zhao and Zhang won the 2011 BWF World Super Series Finals Mixed Doubles title, successfully defending the title first won in January of the 2011 year.2012
In July–August at the London Olympics, she won two gold medals for China: Mixed Doubles with Zhang Nan and Women's doubles with Tian Qing.2013
In August at the 2013 BWF World Championships in Guangzhou, she won bronze in both the Mixed doubles with Zhang and the Women's doubles with Tian.2014
In August at the 2014 BWF World Championships in Copenhagen, she won both the Mixed doubles with Zhang and the Women's doubles with Tian, with this being Zhao's first World Championship Women's Doubles Gold Medal. In September, Zhao and Zhang won the 2014 Asian Games Mixed Doubles title, avenging the loss from four years ago. In December, Zhao and Zhang won the 2014 BWF World Super Series Finals Mixed Doubles title. Zhao was also awarded the 2014 BWF Female Player of the Year Award.2015
In August at the 2015 BWF World Championships in Jakarta, she successfully defended her titles in both the Mixed doubles with Zhang and the Women's doubles with Tian.2016
In April–May, Zhao and Zhang won the 2016 Asian Championships Mixed Doubles title. In August, Zhao and Zhang won a bronze medal in Mixed Doubles at the 2016 Olympic Games. This is her third Olympic medal in addition to the two golds won four years ago.Personal life
She was in a relationship with her mixed doubles partner, Zhang Nan. But just before the 2016 Olympic Games, she announced that they had parted ways. In 2018, she married Hong Wei, another former national teammate and men doubles' shuttler.Achievements
Olympic Games
Women's Doubles| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 2012 | Wembley Arena, London, England |  Tian Qing |  Mizuki Fujii Reika Kakiiwa | 21–10, 25–23 | Gold |
Mixed Doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 2016 | Riocentro - Pavilion 4, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Zhang Nan | Xu Chen Ma Jin | 21–7, 21–11 | Bronze |
| 2012 | Wembley Arena, London, England | Zhang Nan | Xu Chen Ma Jin | 21–11, 21–17 | Gold |
BWF World Championships
Women's Doubles| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 2015 | Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | Tian Qing |  Christinna Pedersen Kamilla Rytter Juhl | 23–25, 21–8, 21–15 | Gold |
| 2014 | Ballerup Super Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark | Tian Qing | Wang Xiaoli Yu Yang | 21–19, 21–15 | Gold |
| 2013 | Tianhe Sports Center, Guangzhou, China | Tian Qing |  Eom Hye-won Chang Ye-na | 16–21, 19–21 | Bronze |
| 2011 | Wembley Arena, London, England | Tian Qing | Wang Xiaoli Yu Yang | 20–22, 11–21 | Silver |
| 2010 | Stade Pierre de Coubertin, Paris, France | Cheng Shu | Ma Jin Wang Xiaoli | 21–10, 10–21, 13–21 | Bronze |
| 2009 | Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, Hyderabad, India | Cheng Shu | Zhang Yawen Zhao Tingting | 21–17, 17–21, 16–21 | Silver |
Mixed Doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 2015 | Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | Zhang Nan | Liu Cheng Bao Yixin | 21–17, 21–11 | Gold |
| 2014 | Ballerup Super Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark | Zhang Nan | Xu Chen Ma Jin | 21–12, 21–23, 21–13 | Gold |
| 2013 | Tianhe Sports Center, Guangzhou, China | Zhang Nan |  Tontowi Ahmad Liliyana Natsir | 21–15, 18–21, 13–21 | Bronze |
| 2011 | Wembley Arena, London, England | Zhang Nan |  Chris Adcock  Imogen Bankier | 21–15, 21–7 | Gold |
Asian Games
Women's Doubles| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 2014 | Gyeyang Gymnasium, Incheon, South Korea | Tian Qing | Nitya Krishinda Maheswari Greysia Polii | 17–21, 21–19, 17–21 | Bronze |
| 2010 | Tianhe Gymnasium, Guangzhou, China | Tian Qing | Wang Xiaoli Yu Yang | 20–22, 21–15, 21–12 | Gold |
Mixed Doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 2014 | Gyeyang Gymnasium, Incheon, South Korea | Zhang Nan | Tontowi Ahmad Liliyana Natsir | 21–16, 21–14 | Gold |
| 2010 | Tianhe Gymnasium, Guangzhou, China | Zhang Nan | Shin Baek-cheol Lee Hyo-jung | 19–21, 14–21 | Silver |
Asian Championships
Women's Doubles| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 2012 | Qingdao Sports Centre Conson Stadium, Qingdao, China | Tian Qing | Bao Yixin Zhong Qianxin | 21–14, 21–15 | Gold |
| 2011 | Sichuan Gymnasium, Chengdu, China | Tian Qing | Wang Xiaoli Yu Yang | 13–21, 10–21 | Silver |
| 2007 | Bandaraya Stadium, Johor Bahru, Malaysia | Cheng Shu | Yang Wei Zhao Tingting | 10–21, 11–21 | Silver |
Mixed Doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 2016 | Wuhan Sports Center Gymnasium, Wuhan, China | Zhang Nan | Tontowi Ahmad Liliyana Natsir | 16–21, 21–9, 21–17 | Gold |
| 2013 | Taipei Arena, Taipei, Chinese Taipei | Zhang Nan | Ko Sung-hyun Kim Ha-na | 20–22, 17–21 | Silver |
| 2012 | Qingdao Sports Centre Conson Stadium, Qingdao, China | Zhang Nan | Xu Chen Ma Jin | 21–13, 21–12 | Gold |
| 2011 | Sichuan Gymnasium, Chengdu, China | Zhang Nan | Xu Chen Ma Jin | 15–21, 21–15, 25–23 | Gold |
Asian Junior Championships
Girls' Doubles| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 2004 | Hwacheon Indoor Stadium, Hwacheon, South Korea | Ding Jiao | Feng Chen Pan Pan | 5–15, 15–8, 15–12 | Gold |
BWF Superseries
The BWF Superseries has two level such as Superseries and Superseries Premier. A season of Superseries features twelve tournaments around the world, which introduced since 2011, with successful players invited to the Superseries Finals held at the year end.Women's Doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 2015 | Hong Kong Open | Tian Qing | Tang Yuanting Yu Yang | 21–15, 21–12 | Winner |
| 2015 | Denmark Open | Tian Qing | Jung Kyung-eun Shin Seung-chan | Walkover | Runner-up |
| 2015 | Japan Open | Zhong Qianxin | Christinna Pedersen Kamilla Rytter Juhl | 21–12, 21–16 | Winner |
| 2014 | Dubai World Superseries Finals | Tian Qing | Misaki Matsutomo Ayaka Takahashi | 17–21, 14–21 | Runner-up |
| 2014 | Hong Kong Open | Tian Qing | Misaki Matsutomo Ayaka Takahashi | 21–13, 21–13 | Winner |
| 2014 | China Open | Tian Qing | Wang Xiaoli Yu Yang | 16–21, 21–19, 20–22 | Runner-up |
| 2014 | Australian Open | Tian Qing | Misaki Matsutomo Ayaka Takahashi | 21–15, 21–9 | Winner |
| 2014 | Indonesia Open | Tian Qing | Ma Jin Tang Yuanting | Walkover | Winner |
| 2013 | French Open | Tian Qing | Bao Yixin Tang Jinhua | 13–21, 17–21 | Runner-up |
| 2013 | Singapore Open | Tian Qing | Misaki Matsutomo Ayaka Takahashi | 21–19, 21–16 | Winner |
| 2013 | All England Open | Cheng Shu | Wang Xiaoli Yu Yang | 18–21, 10–21 | Runner-up |
| 2012 | Hong Kong Open | Tian Qing | Wang Xiaoli Yu Yang | 22–20, 14–21, 21–17 | Winner |
| 2012 | Indonesia Open | Tian Qing | Wang Xiaoli Yu Yang | 21–17, 9–21, 16–21 | Runner-up |
| 2012 | All England Open | Tian Qing | Wang Xiaoli Yu Yang | 21–17, 21–12 | Winner |
| 2012 | Korea Open | Tian Qing | Ha Jung-eun Kim Min-jung | 21–18, 21–13 | Winner |
| 2011 | Hong Kong Open | Tian Qing | Wang Xiaoli Yu Yang | 12–21, 2–14 Retired | Runner-up |
| 2011 | French Open | Tian Qing | Wang Xiaoli Yu Yang | 24–26, 15–21 | Runner-up |
| 2011 | Denmark Open | Tian Qing | Wang Xiaoli Yu Yang | 20–22, 16–21 | Runner-up |
| 2011 | Singapore Open | Tian Qing | Ha Jung-eun Kim Min-jung | 21–13, 21–16 | Winner |
| 2011 | Korea Open | Tian Qing | Wang Xiaoli Yu Yang | 18–21, 21–19, 4–21 | Runner-up |
| 2011 | Malaysia Open | Tian Qing | Wang Xiaoli Yu Yang | 21–12, 6–21, 21–17 | Winner |
| 2010 | World Superseries Finals | Cheng Shu | Wang Xiaoli Yu Yang | 7–21, 17–21 | Runner-up |
| 2010 | China Open | Cheng Shu | Ma Jin Zhong Qianxin | Walkover | Winner |
| 2010 | Japan Open | Cheng Shu | Wang Xiaoli Yu Yang | 17–21, 6–21 | Runner-up |
| 2010 | All England Open | Cheng Shu | Du Jing Yu Yang | 22–20, 16–21, 13–21 | Runner-up |
| 2010 | Korea Open | Cheng Shu | Mizuki Fujii Reika Kakiiwa | 21–16, 21–15 | Winner |
| 2009 | French Open | Cheng Shu | Ma Jin Wang Xiaoli | 13–21, 8–21 | Runner-up |
| 2009 | China Masters | Cheng Shu | Du Jing Yu Yang | 15–21, 15–21 | Runner-up |
| 2009 | Indonesia Open | Cheng Shu |  Chin Eei Hui Wong Pei Tty | 16–21, 16–21 | Runner-up |
| 2009 | All England Open | Cheng Shu | Zhang Yawen Zhao Tingting | 13–21, 15–21 | Runner-up |
| 2008 | Hong Kong Open | Cheng Shu | Zhang Yawen Zhao Tingting | 14–21, 13–21 | Runner-up |
| 2008 | China Masters | Cheng Shu |  Zhang Dan Zhang Zhibo | 21–14, 21–11 | Winner |
| 2008 | Japan Open | Cheng Shu | Chin Eei Hui Wong Pei Tty | 21–19, 5–21, 21–18 | Winner |
Mixed Doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 2015 | Hong Kong Open | Zhang Nan | Liu Cheng Bao Yixin | 21–17, 17–21, 21–17 | Winner |
| 2015 | China Open | Zhang Nan | Joachim Fischer Nielsen Christinna Pedersen | 21–19, 17–21, 21–19 | Winner |
| 2015 | Korea Open | Zhang Nan | Tontowi Ahmad Liliyana Natsir | 21–16, 21–15 | Winner |
| 2015 | Japan Open | Zhang Nan | Joachim Fischer Nielsen Christinna Pedersen | 21–17, 18–21, 21–23 | Runner-up |
| 2015 | Indonesia Open | Zhang Nan | Xu Chen Ma Jin | 17–21, 16–21 | Runner-up |
| 2015 | Singapore Open | Zhang Nan | Lu Kai Huang Yaqiong | Walkover | Winner |
| 2015 | Malaysia Open | Zhang Nan | Xu Chen Ma Jin | 21–16, 21–14 | Winner |
| 2015 | All England Open | Zhang Nan | Tontowi Ahmad Liliyana Natsir | 21–10, 21–10 | Winner |
| 2014 | Dubai World Superseries Finals | Zhang Nan | Liu Cheng Bao Yixin | 21–15, 21–12 | Winner |
| 2014 | Hong Kong Open | Zhang Nan | Xu Chen Ma Jin | 21–14, 21–19 | Winner |
| 2014 | China Open | Zhang Nan | Yoo Yeon-seong Eom Hye-won | 23–25, 21–14, 21–18 | Winner |
| 2014 | Japan Open | Zhang Nan |  Michael Fuchs Birgit Michels | 21–12, 21–16 | Winner |
| 2014 | All England Open | Zhang Nan | Tontowi Ahmad Liliyana Natsir | 13–21, 17–21 | Runner-up |
| 2014 | Korea Open | Zhang Nan | Xu Chen Ma Jin | 21–18, 21–18 | Winner |
| 2013 | World Superseries Finals | Zhang Nan | Joachim Fischer Nielsen Christinna Pedersen | 21–12, 19–21, 10–21 | Runner-up |
| 2013 | French Open | Zhang Nan | Xu Chen Ma Jin | 28–26, 21–18 | Winner |
| 2013 | Denmark Open | Zhang Nan | Tontowi Ahmad Liliyana Natsir | 21–11, 22–20 | Winner |
| 2013 | Japan Open | Zhang Nan | Xu Chen Ma Jin | Walkover | Winner |
| 2013 | China Masters | Zhang Nan | Yoo Yeon-seong Eom Hye-won | 21–18, 21–12 | Winner |
| 2013 | Indonesia Open | Zhang Nan | Joachim Fischer Nielsen Christinna Pedersen | 24–22, 20–22, 21–12 | Winner |
| 2013 | All England Open | Zhang Nan | Tontowi Ahmad Liliyana Natsir | 13–21, 17–21 | Runner-up |
| 2013 | Korea Open | Zhang Nan | Xu Chen Ma Jin | 13–21, –16, 21–13 | Winner |
| 2012 | World Superseries Finals | Zhang Nan | Joachim Fischer Nielsen Christinna Pedersen | 21–17, 12–21, 14–21 | Runner-up |
| 2012 | Hong Kong Open | Zhang Nan | Xu Chen Ma Jin | 21–17, 21–17 | Winner |
| 2012 | Malaysia Open | Zhang Nan | Xu Chen Ma Jin | 21–12, 21–9 | Winner |
| 2011 | World Superseries Finals | Zhang Nan | Xu Chen Ma Jin | 21–13, 21–15 | Winner |
| 2011 | China Open | Zhang Nan | Joachim Fischer Nielsen Christinna Pedersen | 21–11, 21–14 | Winner |
| 2011 | Hong Kong Open | Zhang Nan | Joachim Fischer Nielsen Christinna Pedersen | 15–21, 21–17, 21–17 | Winner |
| 2011 | Indonesia Open | Zhang Nan | Tontowi Ahmad Liliyana Natsir | 20–22, 21–14, 21–9 | Winner |
| 2011 | Korea Open | Zhang Nan | Tao Jiaming Tian Qing | 21–17, 13–21, 21–19 | Winner |
| 2010 | World Superseries Finals | Zhang Nan |  Sudket Prapakamol Saralee Thungthongkam | 21–17, 21–12 | Winner |
| 2010 | Hong Kong Open | Zhang Nan | Joachim Fischer Nielsen Christinna Pedersen | 20–22, 21–14, 20–22 | Runner-up |
| 2010 | China Open | Zhang Nan | Tao Jiaming Tian Qing | 18–21, 17–21 | Runner-up |
| 2010 | Japan Open | Zhang Nan | Tao Jiaming Tian Qing | 21–19, 22–20 | Winner |
| 2010 | All England Open | Zhang Nan | Nova Widianto Lilyana Natsir | 21–18, 23–25, 21–18 | Winner |
| 2008 | China Open | Xu Chen | Lee Yong-dae Lee Hyo-jung | 16–21, 15–21 | Runner-up |
BWF Grand Prix
The BWF Grand Prix has two levels, the Grand Prix Gold and Grand Prix. It is a series of badminton tournaments, sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation since 2007.Women's doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 2016 | Thailand Masters | Tian Qing | Tang Yuanting Yu Yang | 11–21, 21–12, 23–21 | Winner |
| 2011 | Thailand Open | Tian Qing | Cheng Shu Bao Yixin | 21–7, 21–8 | Winner |
| 2010 | German Open | Cheng Shu | Ma Jin Wang Xiaoli | 22–24, 15–21 | Runner-up |
| 2009 | German Open | Cheng Shu | Pan Pan Tian Qing | 18–21, 21–13, 21–16 | Winner |
| 2008 | Macau Open | Cheng Shu | Ma Jin Wang Xiaoli | 21–15, 21–18 | Winner |
Mixed Doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 2010 | Bitburger Open | Zhang Nan | Michael Fuchs Birgit Overzier | 22–20, 21–9 | Winner |
| 2009 | Malaysia Masters | Xu Chen | Zheng Bo Ma Jin | 5–5 Retired | Runner-up |
| 2009 | German Open | Xu Chen | Zheng Bo Ma Jin | 21–18, 23–21 | Winner |
| 2008 | Macau Open | Xu Chen |  Yohan Hadikusumo Wiratama Chau Hoi Wah | 21–15, 21–16 | Winner |
BWF International Challenge/Series
Women's Doubles| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 2007 | Austrian International | Cheng Shu | Pan Pan Tian Qing | 21–18, 21–13 | Winner |