Gao Fangjie’s BAC 2026 run came to an end in the quarterfinals. Missing out on her last chance to compete at the upcoming Thomas Cup, the Chinese star bid a final, emotional yet inspiring message.

X user @zhiyiilyy shared Fangjie’s emotional reaction. "I've fought, endured, and persevered. I've left all my passion and dedication on this court that I love most," said the 27-year-old.

"Although I missed out on the Uber Cup, I feel that my hard work and perseverance have earned me a championship that belongs to me. I accept the results that I can't control, and I choose to look forward. I hope my strength and perseverance can inspire everyone," Gao Fangjie said as she bid her final goodbye to competitive badminton.

The 27-year-old had previously won the bronze medal in the Asian Championships. She has been a staple member of the women’s circuit for a long time now.

However, she has struggled with consistency after the 2019 Achilles tendon injury sidelined Fangjie for three years. She couldn't return until 2022 and has chosen to step away from the sport.

Where it went Wrong for Gao Fangjie in the BAC

Gao’s exclusion from China’s Uber Cup squad emerged in a very tough internal competition in the women’s singles category. The qualification for this ran through the Badminton Asia Team Championships, which was a continental qualifier for the Uber Cup.

Even though Gao was previously considered for the team, her recent performances didn't suffice. She did make a comeback against Indonesia's P. K. Wardani, but that momentum didn't last.

Gao’s final match at the BAC ended 23–21, 11–21, 13–21 against Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi, who made it to the final four.

In her absence, Chen Yufei, Wang Zhiyi, Han Yue, and He Bingjiao will carry China's hopes of securing a Thomas Cup title.

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Written by

Aadhya Nalla

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi