Zhang Jun (badminton)

2.1. Career Summary

As a solidly built doubles specialist, Zhang Jun accumulated numerous international titles throughout his career. While he also found success in men's doubles, the majority of his most prestigious victories came in mixed doubles alongside his formidable partner, Gao Ling. Their partnership was characterized by their ability to perform under pressure, often winning very close matches, and established them as one of the most dominant mixed doubles pairs of their era.

2.2. Major Partnerships

Zhang Jun's career was defined by his successful collaborations in doubles.
His most notable partnership was in mixed doubles with Gao Ling. Together, they won two Olympic gold medals, a World Championship title, and three All-England Championships. Their other significant victories include the 2002 Badminton Asia Championships, the 2005 China Masters, the China Open in 2002 and 2003, the 2003 Japan Open, the 2004 Indonesia Open, the Malaysia Open in 2004 and 2006, the 2005 Thailand Open, the 2005 Singapore Open, and the 2006 German Open.

In men's doubles, Zhang Jun partnered with Zhang Wei. Their achievements included titles at the 1998 Swiss Open, the 2001 China Open, and the 2005 Thailand Open.

2.3. Olympic Games

Zhang Jun is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in mixed doubles with Gao Ling.

At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, they secured their first gold medal. Their journey to the gold was particularly challenging, as they reportedly survived a number of very close matches, including being on the verge of elimination in the semifinals. In the final, they defeated the Indonesian pair of Trikus Haryanto and Minarti Timur with a score of 1-15, 15-13, 15-11.

They successfully defended their title at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. In the final match, they overcame the British duo of Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms with a score of 15-1, 12-15, 15-12, earning their second consecutive Olympic gold medal.

2.4. World Championships

Zhang Jun achieved significant success at the BWF World Championships, securing one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal.

In 1999, at the World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, he earned a bronze medal in men's doubles with Zhang Wei. They were defeated by the South Korean pair of Ha Tae-kwon and Kim Dong-moon with a score of 6-15, 15-17.

His most notable World Championship victory came in 2001 in Seville, Spain, where he and Gao Ling won the mixed doubles gold medal. In a tightly contested final, they squeezed past the formidable South Korean duo of Kim Dong-moon and Ra Kyung-min with a score of 15-10, 12-15, 17-16.

In 2003, at the World Championships in Birmingham, England, Zhang and Gao Ling reached the mixed doubles final again but settled for a silver medal after losing to Kim Dong-moon and Ra Kyung-min with a score of 7-15, 8-15.

Men's doubles

Mixed doubles

2.5. Asian Games

Zhang Jun also earned medals at the Asian Games. In 1998, at the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, he secured a silver medal in the men's team event and a bronze medal in mixed doubles with Qin Yiyuan. In the mixed doubles bronze medal match, they were defeated by Kim Dong-moon and Ra Kyung-min with a score of 3-15, 6-15.

At the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea, he contributed to China's bronze medal in the men's team event.

Mixed Doubles

2.6. Asian Championships

Zhang Jun achieved multiple successes at the Badminton Asia Championships, securing two gold medals and two silver medals.

In 1997, in Bangkok, Thailand, he won his first gold medal in mixed doubles with Liu Lu, defeating fellow Chinese pair Yang Ming and Qian Hong with a score of 15-12, 17-16.

He won his second Asian Championships gold medal in 2002, also in Bangkok, this time with Gao Ling in mixed doubles. They defeated the Thai pair of Khunakorn Sudhisodhi and Saralee Thungthongkam with a score of 11-7, 11-8.

In men's doubles, partnering with Zhang Wei, he earned two silver medals. The first was in 1998 in Bangkok, where they lost to Ha Tae-kwon and Kang Kyung-jin of South Korea (15-12, 11-15, 13-15). The second silver came in 1999 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where they were defeated by Ha Tae-kwon and Kim Dong-moon (6-15, 4-15).

Men's doubles

Mixed doubles

2.7. IBF World Grand Prix and Other Tournaments

Zhang Jun achieved significant success in various international open tournaments sanctioned by the International Badminton Federation (IBF), accumulating 16 titles and 11 runner-up finishes across men's and mixed doubles events.

In men's doubles, with Zhang Wei, he won the 1998 Swiss Open, the 2000 Thailand Open, and the 2001 China Open. He was also a runner-up at the 1998 Swedish Open with Yang Ming.

His mixed doubles record with Gao Ling is particularly extensive. They secured titles at the 2000 Thailand Open, 2001 All England Open, 2002 China Open, 2003 Japan Open, 2003 All England Open, 2003 China Open, 2004 Malaysia Open, 2004 Indonesia Open, 2005 Singapore Open, 2005 China Masters, 2006 German Open, 2006 All England Open, and 2006 Malaysia Open. They were also runners-up at the 1999 China Open, 1999 Denmark Open, 2000 Swiss Open, 2001 Korea Open, 2003 Indonesia Open, 2003 German Open, 2003 Hong Kong Open, 2004 Swiss Open, 2006 China Masters, and 2006 Macau Open.

Men's doubles

Mixed doubles

3.1. Coaching Career

Following his playing career, Zhang Jun joined the coaching staff of the Chinese national badminton team. His dedication and expertise led to his promotion to head coach of the national badminton doubles team in 2017. In this capacity, he was responsible for guiding and developing China's top doubles players.

3.2. Administrative Career

Zhang Jun's involvement in badminton administration began with his selection as vice chairman of the Chinese Badminton Association (CBA) in 2018. His leadership qualities were further recognized when he was elected as the chairman of the CBA on January 28, 2019, taking on a pivotal role in governing badminton in China.

In 2019, Zhang Jun, in his capacity as president of the Chinese Badminton Association, also ran for the position of BWF deputy president. However, he was unsuccessful in his bid, with Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, president of the Badminton Association of Thailand, being elected to the position in May 2019 during the Sudirman Cup tournament held in Nanning, China.