"The Chinese youth badminton team has by outstanding success in World Badminton Championships demonstrated that China has made big progress in training world top shutters and that we are assured of our fine prospect in developing China's badminton," said Li Yongbo, head coach of the Chinese youth badminton team.

Li said the Chinese youth team had all played well in world championships. Though his teammates had fought against many odds yet most of them have proved themselves qualified shutters in fighting finals to have six titles swept.

Li said that China's training system and his 18-year old shutters are better than those of other countries. So he is proud of his young shutters he has trained, fighting in a way even better than Ji Xinpeng and Xia Xuanze, famous shutters of the Chinese team. But the strength of a shutter relies not only on his skills but also on his psychology, which should be adjusted for some of his shutters, he added.

Li also said his young shutters have all fought in good form and at a high tactic level. But he further reminded relentless efforts are still needed for them to fight with a will to become world star shutters.

(People's Daily 11/15/2000)