Yu Yaodong

Yu Yaodong (; 1951–2012) was a badminton player from People's Republic of China.

Career Yu Yaodong was born in 1951 in Dongguan, Guangdong. He entered the Guangzhou Amateur Sports School in 1961 then entered the Guangdong team in 1965 and was finally selected for the national team in 1972. At the second ever Badminton World Championships (first by World Badminton Federation) held in Thailand in 1978, Yaodong defeated his teammate Han Jian in the men's singles final and became the first ever badminton world champion in Chinese history. Later, he along with Hou Jiachang won the title of men's doubles World Champion as well. On the day of the final, Deng Xiaoping came to the scene to watch the game and presented the award to Yu Yaodong. After retiring, Yu Yaodong served as the coach of the Guangdong Province badminton team, cultivating famous badminton players such as Xie Xingfang, Zhang Jiewen and Fu Haifeng.

Achievements World Championships + Men's singles Year Venue Opponent Score Result 1978 Bangkok, Thailand Han Jian 15–11, 15–11 Gold Gold

+ Men's doubles Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result 1978 Bangkok, Thailand Hou Jiachang Sawei Chanseorasmee Sarit Pisudchaikul 18–15, 15–12 Gold Gold 1979 Hangzhou, China Luan Jin Sun Zhian Yao Ximing 9–15, 3–15 Silver Silver

Asian Games + Men's doubles Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result 1978 Bangkok, Thailand Hou Jiachang Ade Chandra Christian Hadinata 14–17, 7–15 Bronze Bronze

+ Mixed doubles Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result 1978 Bangkok, Thailand Li Fang Hariamanto Kartono Theresia Widiastuti 8–15, 11–15 Bronze Bronze

Invitational tournament + Men's singles Year Tournament Opponent Score Result 1977 Asian Invitational Championships Luan Jin 15–6, 15–8 Gold Gold 1978 World Invitational Championships Chen Tianlong 13–18, 8–15 Silver Silver 1978 Asian Invitational Championships Chen Tianlong 12–15, 15–13, 15–10 Gold Gold

+ Men's doubles Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result 1978 World Invitational Championships Hou Jiachang Lin Shiquan Tang Xianhu 7–15, 1–15 Silver Silver