Zhang Nan (simplified Chinese: 张楠; traditional Chinese: 張楠; pinyin: Zhāng Nán; born 1 March 1990) is a retired Chinese badminton player who specializes in both men's and mixed doubles. He found much success in mixed doubles with his former partner Zhao Yunlei. They won gold in 2012 Summer Olympics, 3 golds in BWF World Championships in 2011, 2014 and 2015 and a gold at the 2014 Asian Games. Having won all major events as a pair, they are considered one of the most successful mixed doubles pairs of all time. Zhang Nan himself is considered to be one of the all-time greats of badminton.[2]
Having found huge success in mixed doubles with Zhao, Zhang partnered Fu Haifeng with whom he won gold in 2016 Summer Olympics. After this, Fu retired and Zhang partnered Liu Cheng and became World Champion in the men's doubles at the 2017 BWF World Championships.
Zhang Nan is a badminton player who has achieved success in both men's and mixed doubles. In the men's doubles he has been paired with Chai Biao, Fu Haifeng, Lu Kai, Liu Cheng and Ou Xuanyi; while in the mixed doubles he has been paired with Lu Lu, Tang Jinhua, Zhao Yunlei and Li Yinhui.
He participated in the 2010 Thomas Cup in Kuala Lumpur, playing for China. He also played in 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.
Zhang has achieved one of the three most prestigious badminton titles, winning the All England Open that year with Zhao Yunlei, winning over Nova Widianto and Liliyana Natsir of Indonesia, 21–18, 23–25, 21–18, the first pair to win the title as qualifiers.
Zhang has a larger achievement with Zhao in the mixed doubles event rather than with Chai. Zhang and Zhao won the Japan Open title, beating compatriots Tao Jiaming and Tian Qing in the final, 21–19, 22–20. Meanwhile, Zhang and Chai's journey in Tokyo was ended by seniors Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng in the semi-finals, losing 17–21 and 16–21.
In China Open, Zhang attended the men's and mixed doubles finals but he lost in both events. In the men's doubles, South Korea's Jung Jae-sung and Lee Yong-dae emerged as the winners as they downed Zhang and Chai in straight sets, 21–15 and 21–12. In the mixed doubles final, Tao Jiaming and Tian Qing took revenge with a 21–18, 21–17 triumph over Zhang and Zhao.
Zhang only played in mixed doubles in the last Super Series tournament of 2010, Hong Kong Open. Seeded fifth, he and Zhao reached the final but lost in a long three-set match against Joachim Fischer Nielsen and Christinna Pedersen of Denmark 20–22, 21–14, and 20–22.
Zhang and Zhao were qualified to play in the 2010 Super Series Finals Taiwan. They became the winner by beating Thailand's Sudket Prapakamol and Saralee Thungthongkam 21–17, 21–12 in the final. Zhang and Chai also played in the Super Series Finals, yet both were conquered by Jung Jae-sung and Lee Yong-dae in the last four 15–21 and 11–21 in just 30 minutes.
Once again, Zhang and Zhao met Tao Jiaming and Tian Qing, now in Korea Open final. Zhang and Zhao vanquished their teammates 21–17, 13–21, and 21–19 to become the first winners of a Super Series Premier.
In July–August at the London Olympics, he won the gold medal at the mixed doubles event with Zhao Yunlei, beating compatriots Xu Chen and Ma Jin in the gold medal match, 21–11, 21–17.[3]
At the 2016 Olympics, Zhang and Zhao, the defending champions in the mixed doubles event, lost in the semi-final, but successfully clinched a bronze medal after winning a rematch of the last edition's final, beating Xu Chen and Ma Jin in straight games again. On the other hand, Zhang won the gold medal with Fu Haifeng in the men's doubles event, beating Malaysians Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong in a tightly-fought match, 16–21, 21–11, 23–21. They saved two gold medal points during the third game, and eventually converted one on their first opportunity.[4]
Zhang won the World Championships in the men's doubles event with Liu Cheng, defeating Indonesians Mohammad Ahsan and Rian Agung Saputro in the final, 21–10, 21–17 to win the gold medal.[5]
Zhang announced his resignation from the Chinese national team in late August on his Weibo account,[6] stating that he would continue to play badminton as an independent player with the permission of the Chinese Badminton Association.[7]
Zhang made his return to the international badminton circuit as an independent player by participating in the men's and mixed doubles events in the 2023 Ruichang China Masters.[8]
Men's doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | Riocentro - Pavilion 4, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | ![]() |
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16–21, 21–11, 23–21 | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012 | Wembley Arena, London, Great Britain | ![]() |
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21–11, 21–17 | ![]() |
2016 | Riocentro - Pavilion 4, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | ![]() |
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21–7, 21–11 | ![]() |
Men's doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | Emirates Arena, Glasgow, Scotland | ![]() |
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21–10, 21–17 | ![]() |
2018 | Nanjing Youth Olympic Sports Park, Nanjing, China |
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15–21, 13–21 | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | Wembley Arena, London, England | ![]() |
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21–15, 21–7 | ![]() |
2013 | Tianhe Sports Center, Guangzhou, China | ![]() |
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21–15, 18–21, 13-21 | ![]() |
2014 | Ballerup Super Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark | ![]() |
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21–12, 21–23, 21–13 | ![]() |
2015 | Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | ![]() |
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21–17, 21–11 | ![]() |
2018 | Nanjing Youth Olympic Sports Park, Nanjing, China |
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21–19, 12–21, 10–21 | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | Tianhe Gymnasium, Guangzhou, China | ![]() |
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19–21, 14–21 | ![]() |
2014 | Gyeyang Gymnasium, Incheon, South Korea | ![]() |
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21–16, 21–14 | ![]() |
Men's doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | Sichuan Gymnasium, Chengdu, China |
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19–21, 15–21 | ![]() |
2016 | Wuhan Sports Center Gymnasium, Wuhan, China |
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21–23, 19–21 | ![]() |
2018 | Wuhan Sports Center Gymnasium, Wuhan, China |
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21–14, 12–21, 23–25 | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | Sichuan Gymnasium, Chengdu, China |
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15–21, 21–15, 25–23 | ![]() |
2012 | Qingdao Sports Centre Conson Stadium, Qingdao, China |
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21–13, 21–12 | ![]() |
2013 | Taipei Arena, Taipei, Taiwan |
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20–22, 17–21 | ![]() |
2016 | Wuhan Sports Center Gymnasium, Wuhan, China |
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16–21, 21–9, 21–17 | ![]() |
2018 | Wuhan Sports Center Gymnasium, Wuhan, China |
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21–18, 18–21, 17–21 | ![]() |
Men's doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2009 | Queen Elizabeth Stadium, Hong Kong | ![]() |
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18–21, 16–21 | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Badminton Hall, Pune, India |
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19–21, 15–21 | ![]() |
Boys' doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2007 | Stadium Juara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
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10–21, 13–21 | ![]() |
2008 | Stadium Juara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
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17–21, 18–21 | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | Stadium Juara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
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14–21, 21–15, 24–22 | ![]() |
The BWF World Tour, which was announced on 19 March 2017 and implemented in 2018,[9] is a series of elite badminton tournaments sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). The BWF World Tour is divided into levels of World Tour Finals, Super 1000, Super 750, Super 500, Super 300, and the BWF Tour Super 100.[10]
Men's doubles
Year | Tournament | Level | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Akita Masters | Super 100 | ![]() |
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21–14, 21–19 | ![]() |
2019 | Indonesia Masters | Super 100 | ![]() |
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11–21, 21–10, 22–20 | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Tournament | Level | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | China Open | Super 1000 | ![]() |
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16–21, 9–21 | ![]() |
The BWF Superseries, which was launched on 14 December 2006 and implemented in 2007,[11] was a series of elite badminton tournaments, sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). BWF Superseries levels were Superseries and Superseries Premier. A season of Superseries consisted of twelve tournaments around the world that had been introduced since 2011.[12] Successful players were invited to the Superseries Finals, which were held at the end of each year.
Men's doubles
Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | China Open | ![]() |
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15–21, 12–21 | ![]() |
2012 | China Masters | ![]() |
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21–18, 21–17 | ![]() |
2014 | Denmark Open | ![]() |
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21–13, 25–23 | ![]() |
2015 | All England Open | ![]() |
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17–21, 20–22 | ![]() |
2015 | Singapore Open | ![]() |
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15–21, 21–11, 14–21 | ![]() |
2015 | Indonesia Open | ![]() |
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16–21, 21–16, 19–21 | ![]() |
2015 | Japan Open | ![]() |
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19–21, 27–29 | ![]() |
2016 | Singapore Open | ![]() |
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21–11, 22–20 | ![]() |
2017 | Denmark Open | ![]() |
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21–16, 22–24, 21–19 | ![]() |
2017 | Dubai World Superseries Finals | ![]() |
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16–21, 15–21 | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | All England Open | ![]() |
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21–18, 23–25, 21–18 | ![]() |
2010 | Japan Open | ![]() |
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21–19, 22–20 | ![]() |
2010 | China Open | ![]() |
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18–21, 17–21 | ![]() |
2010 | Hong Kong Open | ![]() |
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20–22, 21–14, 20–22 | ![]() |
2010 | World Superseries Finals | ![]() |
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21–17, 21–12 | ![]() |
2011 | Korea Open | ![]() |
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21–17, 13–21, 21–19 | ![]() |
2011 | Indonesia Open | ![]() |
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20–22, 21–14, 21–9 | ![]() |
2011 | Hong Kong Open | ![]() |
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15–21, 21–17, 21–17 | ![]() |
2011 | China Open | ![]() |
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21–11, 21–14 | ![]() |
2011 | World Superseries Finals | ![]() |
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21–13, 21–15 | ![]() |
2012 | Malaysia Open | ![]() |
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21–12, 21–9 | ![]() |
2012 | Hong Kong Open | ![]() |
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21–17, 21–17 | ![]() |
2012 | World Superseries Finals | ![]() |
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21–17, 12–21, 14–21 | ![]() |
2013 | Korea Open | ![]() |
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13–21, 21–16, 21–13 | ![]() |
2013 | All England Open | ![]() |
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13–21, 17–21 | ![]() |
2013 | Indonesia Open | ![]() |
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24–22, 20–22, 21–12 | ![]() |
2013 | China Masters | ![]() |
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21–18, 21–12 | ![]() |
2013 | Japan Open | ![]() |
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Walkover | ![]() |
2013 | Denmark Open | ![]() |
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21–11, 22–20 | ![]() |
2013 | French Open | ![]() |
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28–26, 21–18 | ![]() |
2013 | World Superseries Finals | ![]() |
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21–12, 19–21, 10–21 | ![]() |
2014 | Korea Open | ![]() |
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21–18, 21–18 | ![]() |
2014 | All England Open | ![]() |
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13–21, 17–21 | ![]() |
2014 | Japan Open | ![]() |
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21–12, 21–16 | ![]() |
2014 | China Open | ![]() |
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23–25, 21–14, 21–18 | ![]() |
2014 | Hong Kong Open | ![]() |
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21–14, 21–19 | ![]() |
2014 | Dubai World Superseries Finals | ![]() |
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21–15, 21–12 | ![]() |
2015 | All England Open | ![]() |
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21–10, 21–10 | ![]() |
2015 | Malaysia Open | ![]() |
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21–16, 21–14 | ![]() |
2015 | Singapore Open | ![]() |
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Walkover | ![]() |
2015 | Indonesia Open | ![]() |
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17–21, 16–21 | ![]() |
2015 | Japan Open | ![]() |
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21–17, 18–21, 21–23 | ![]() |
2015 | Korea Open | ![]() |
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21–16, 21–15 | ![]() |
2015 | China Open | ![]() |
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21–19, 17–21, 21–19 | ![]() |
2015 | Hong Kong Open | ![]() |
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21–17, 17–21, 21–17 | ![]() |
2016 | China Open | ![]() |
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13–21, 22–20, 16–21 | ![]() |
The BWF Grand Prix had two levels, the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Gold. It was a series of badminton tournaments sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and played between 2007 and 2017.
Men's doubles
Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | German Open | ![]() |
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17–21, 21–13, 21–15 | ![]() |
2014 | Swiss Open | ![]() |
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20–22, 14–21 | ![]() |
2015 | Chinese Taipei Open | ![]() |
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21–13, 21–8 | ![]() |
2016 | Macau Open | ![]() |
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21–17, 18–21, 19–21 | ![]() |
2017 | Swiss Open | ![]() |
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21–13, 16–21, 15–21 | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2009 | Philippines Open | ![]() |
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22–20, 21–19 | ![]() |
2010 | Bitburger Open | ![]() |
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22–20, 21–9 | ![]() |
2013 | Swiss Open | ![]() |
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20–22, 19–21 | ![]() |
2016 | Macau Open | ![]() |
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21–19, 21–15 | ![]() |
2017 | Thailand Masters | ![]() |
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21–11, 20–22, 21–13 | ![]() |
2017 | German Open | ![]() |
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22–20, 21–11 | ![]() |
Men's doubles
Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Belarus International | ![]() |
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21–15, 21–15 | ![]() |
He started a relationship with his mixed doubles partner Zhao Yunlei in 2010. However, before 2016 Summer Olympics, Zhao Yunlei announced that she and Zhang Nan were no longer together. He later married another Chinese badminton player Tian Qing in November 2018.[13]