Chiharu Shida, Japanese badminton star, has urged her Chinese fans to "stop stalking" her during tournaments in China after experiencing uncomfortable and intrusive behavior for over a year. (More Badminton News)
The 27-year-old, who won a bronze medal in women라이브 바카라 doubles at the 2024 Paris Olympics alongside partner Nami Matsuyama, has become a fan favorite in China, where she is often dubbed one of the most beautiful shuttlers and even referred to as a "Badminton Goddess."
Currently competing in the Badminton Asia Championships 2025 in Ningbo, China, Shida shared her concerns with her followers on Instagram, asking for respect for her personal space.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Shida said in chinese, "Thank you to everyone for your continued support, but I would like to request something from all my fans."
She continued, "We have been stalked every time we compete in China, and it has already been going on for a year and a half. Recently, we’ve been feeling very uncomfortable and scared."
“I know it라이브 바카라 not all fans that are like this, and I really like China and I’m thankful for all the support from fans. Starting now, please immediately stop the stalking and similar behaviour,” she added. “If this type of situation continues, I will have to think of a way to handle it. Finally, please focus on us in the stadium, not on our private lives. Thanks again.”
This public request comes after a troubling incident at the 2023 China Masters tournament, when Shida revealed she had been stalked and inappropriately touched by fans, leading her to call for respect for her personal space.
The Chinese Olympic Committee later responded, calling the behavior "obsessive fan culture".
They said, "This kind of ‘low-level fan’ seems to act out of love for their idol....But they make irrational actions that endanger the normal order of the competition, public order and good customs, and endanger the spirit of sports and social morality.”
Nevertheless, issue of fans crossing personal boundaries isn't just limited to badminton. Also, the tennis star Emma Raducanu experienced an inappropriate incident during the Dubai Championships in February 2025.
One of the fans approached the British shuttler during the round 2 match, left a note, and took her photograph, engaging in a fixated behavior. She was visibly upset, even breaking down in tears, struggling to breathe at the court.
However, the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) responded to that incident by banning the individual from all WTA events pending a threat assessment, while ensuring the safety and privacy for all players.
Despite the off-court struggles, Shida and Matsuyama are keeping their focus on the game. The pair recently advanced to the Round of 16 at the 2025 Badminton Asia Championships, defeating the duo of M. Takahashi and M. Otake 21-13, 21-18.
