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Gao Fangjie

Gao Fangjie is a Chinese badminton player who achieved success in women's singles, including junior team gold medals, a 2017 China Open final appearance, and a 2023 Asia Mixed Team Championships gold.

1. Overview

Gao Fangjie, born on September 29, 1998, in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, is a prominent Chinese badminton player known for her powerful play in the women's singles discipline. Standing at 5.8 ft (1.78 m), she has achieved significant success throughout her career, particularly in team competitions and major individual tournaments. Her highest ranking was world number 13, achieved on September 20, 2018. Gao Fangjie has earned multiple gold medals at the junior level in team events, including the BWF World Junior Championships in 2015 and 2016, and the Badminton Asia Junior Championships in 2016. In her senior career, she notably reached the final of the 2017 China Open Superseries Premier and contributed to China's gold medal victory at the 2023 Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships.

2. Early Life and Background

Gao Fangjie was born on September 29, 1998, in Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province, China. She developed into a professional badminton player, recognized for her right-handed playing style and formidable presence on the court. Her height is 5.8 ft (1.78 m).

3. Career

Gao Fangjie's career in badminton began at the junior level, where she quickly established herself as a key player for the Chinese national team, before transitioning to a successful senior career marked by both team and individual achievements in various international tournaments.

3.1. Junior Career

Gao Fangjie demonstrated her potential early in her career as a junior player. She was an integral part of the Chinese junior national team that secured consecutive gold medals in the mixed team events at the BWF World Junior Championships in 2015 in Lima, Peru, and in 2016 in Bilbao, Spain. Further solidifying her junior team credentials, she also won a gold medal in the mixed team event at the 2016 Badminton Asia Junior Championships held in Bangkok, Thailand. In addition to her team successes, Gao Fangjie also earned an individual bronze medal in the girls' singles event at the 2016 Asia Junior Championships in Bangkok.

3.2. Major Team Achievements

Gao Fangjie has been a significant contributor to the Chinese national badminton team in various major international team competitions, securing several medals.

  • At the 2018 Uber Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, she was part of the Chinese women's team that earned a bronze medal.
  • She contributed to the Chinese women's team's silver medal win at the 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta-Palembang, Indonesia.
  • Gao Fangjie played a crucial role in the Chinese mixed team's gold medal victory at the 2023 Asia Mixed Team Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
  • She was also a member of the Chinese women's team that secured a silver medal at the 2018 Asia Team Championships in Alor Setar, Malaysia.

3.3. Individual Achievements

Gao Fangjie has achieved notable results in individual competitions across various tiers of BWF-sanctioned tournaments, including the BWF World Tour, BWF Superseries, BWF Grand Prix, and BWF International Challenge/Series.

3.3.1. BWF World Tour

The BWF World Tour, established in 2018, is a series of elite badminton tournaments sanctioned by the BWF, comprising different levels such as Super 1000, Super 750, Super 500, Super 300, and Super 100. Gao Fangjie has won two titles and been a runner-up three times in the women's singles category on this tour.

Women's singles

YearTournamentLevelOpponentScoreResult
2018Singapore OpenSuper 500高橋 沙也加Sayaka TakahashiJapanese23-25, 14-21Runner-up
2022Indonesia MastersSuper 100郡司 莉子Riko GunjiJapanese21-10, 21-12Winner
2023U.S. OpenSuper 300ศุภนิดา เกตุทองSupanida KatethongThai15-21, 16-21Runner-up
2024Macau OpenSuper 300林湘緹Lin Hsiang-tiChinese21-23, 21-9, 21-11Winner
2024China MastersSuper 750안세영An Se-youngKorean12-21, 8-21Runner-up

3.3.2. BWF Superseries

The BWF Superseries, active from 2007 to 2017, was a prestigious series of tournaments sanctioned by the BWF, with levels including Superseries and Superseries Premier. Gao Fangjie reached one final in this series. In 2017, she made a remarkable run at the China Open, entering the tournament from the qualification rounds and defeating several highly seeded players, including Nozomi Okuhara, P. V. Sindhu, and Carolina Marín, before reaching the final.

Women's singles

YearTournamentOpponentScoreResult
2017China Open山口 茜Akane YamaguchiJapanese13-21, 15-21Runner-up

3.3.3. BWF Grand Prix

The BWF Grand Prix series, which operated between 2007 and 2017, consisted of Grand Prix and Grand Prix Gold levels. Gao Fangjie secured one title in the women's singles discipline during this period.

Women's singles

YearTournamentOpponentScoreResult
2017Korea Masters이장미Lee Jang-miKorean21-19, 21-5Winner

3.3.4. BWF International Challenge/Series

The BWF International Challenge and BWF International Series are lower-tier international tournaments sanctioned by the BWF. Gao Fangjie has achieved two titles and one runner-up finish in these events.

Women's singles

YearTournamentOpponentScoreResult
2016China International惠夕蕊Hui XiruiChinese11-21, 21-19, 17-21Runner-up
2022 (II)Indonesia International郡司 莉子Riko GunjiJapanese21-9, 21-11Winner
2022Malaysia International邱品蒨Chiu Pin-chianChinese21-10, 21-16Winner