Chinese badminton has been hit by another major development after former world champion Xia Xuanze was placed under disciplinary and supervisory investigation.
The 48-year-old, who currently serves as vice-president of the Chinese Badminton Association, is suspected of serious violations of discipline and law, according to an announcement by China’s anti-corruption authorities on Monday.
Xia is undergoing a disciplinary review by the discipline inspection and supervision team of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision stationed at the General Administration of Sport of China. He is also being investigated by supervisory authorities in Nantong, Jiangsu.
No further details about the allegations have been released.
Xia is a highly respected figure in Chinese badminton, having enjoyed a successful playing career before moving into coaching and administration.
He won the men’s singles bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics before claiming the world title in 2003. He retired from competitive badminton in 2007 and later took on a coaching role with the Chinese national team, eventually becoming head coach of the singles division.
Xia was elected as a vice-president of the Chinese Badminton Association in 2023, moving into a senior administrative position within the sport after years of involvement with the national team.
His investigation comes during a turbulent period for the Chinese badminton administration. Earlier this year, CBA president Zhang Jun was also placed under disciplinary review and supervisory investigation over suspected serious violations of discipline and law.
Former CBA vice-president and secretary-general Wang Wei was also announced to be under supervisory investigation on the same day as Xia. Wang is suspected of serious violations of national law, with authorities also yet to disclose further details.
The developments mean several senior figures with deep connections to Chinese badminton are now facing investigations.
For Xia, the probe marks a dramatic turn in a career that took him from Olympic and world championship success to prominent coaching and administrative roles.
He remains under investigation, and no findings or conclusions have been announced at this stage.
