Swinging Strong at 35
At 35 years old, when many athletes have begun to quiet the ambitions of their youth, Chou Tien Chen is preparing for yet another HSBC BWF World Tour Finals – his eighth, if you trace the arc of his long and eventful…
At 35 years old, when many athletes have begun to quiet the ambitions of their youth, Chou Tien Chen is preparing for yet another HSBC BWF World Tour Finals – his eighth, if you trace the arc of his long and eventful career.
For the Chinese Taipei star, qualifying again isn’t just a line on his CV; it’s a reminder of the improbable journey he has taken to stand among the world’s best.
This season alone has been one of his most productive in years. Chou successfully defended the Arctic Open title, finished runner-up at two other events and marched into five semifinals. The consistency not only earned him a ticket to Hangzhou but placed him in the running for the Men’s Singles Player of the Year at Monday’s HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2025 Gala Dinner. Not bad for a man who first played the season finale as a 25-year-old back in 2015.