China’s Badminton Chief Faces Corruption Probe in Expanding Sports Crackdown

1. China's anti-corruption campaign in sports targets Zhang Jun, two-time Olympic champion and head of the Chinese Badminton Association.[para. 1]

2. On Wednesday, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and National Supervisory Commission announced Zhang, also vice president of Nanjing Sport Institute, is under investigation for severe violations; he faces review by anti-graft group at General Administration of Sport and probe by Nantong supervisory commission.[para. 2]

3. Speculation arose on April 24 when Economic Observer reported anti-graft probe into Zhang, who had been out of contact over 10 days.[para. 3]

4. Caixin learned mid-April of circulating probe news in sports circles; by April 25 morning, Zhang's name remained on badminton association website as president, but removed from Nanjing Sport Institute leadership.[para. 4]

5. Probe follows March 31 badminton association video conference where Zhang vowed to crack down on match-fixing, gambling, corrupt refereeing as "malignant tumors," urging education as "vaccine" against misconduct.[para. 5]

6. Chinese Badminton Association is national non-profit by provincial associations, independent legal entity representing China in international events under General Administration of Sport and Ministry of Civil Affairs.[para. 6]

7. Born November 1977 in Suzhou, Jiangsu, 48-year-old Zhang joined national team late 1990s, won mixed doubles gold with Gao Ling at 2000 Sydney (China's first) and 2004 Athens Olympics.[para. 7]

8. With multiple world titles, Zhang retired 2007, coached national men's doubles from 2008 (mentored Olympic champs Cai Yun, Fu Haifeng, Zhang Nan), promoted to national doubles head coach 2017.[para. 8]

9. Elected Chinese Badminton Association vice president March 2018; leadership shift gave association more power in athlete registration, assessments, tournaments, big data.[para. 9]

10. General Administration of Sport under Gou Zhongwen decoupled associations from management centers, separating government from operations; pre-reform, badminton under Table Tennis and Badminton Center led by officials.[para. 10]

11. Elected association president Jan. 28, 2019, launching reforms; prioritized Tokyo Olympics preparation.[para. 11]

12. Reelected August 2023, focusing on Olympics, national fitness, industry regulations.[para. 12]

13. Under Zhang, team won 2 golds/4 silvers at 2021 Tokyo Olympics (podium all events), 2 golds/3 silvers at 2024 Paris (no men's singles medal).[para. 13]

14. Named Nanjing Sport Institute vice president August 2023; joined its team 1991, later deputy director of training/badminton departments; institute is Jiangsu's sole sports higher education academy.[para. 14]

15. Anti-corruption campaign unrelenting; Zhang's probe expands to badminton.[para. 15]

16. Began November 2022 with Li Tie (ex-national men's soccer coach); engulfed soccer, downing executives like Chen Xuyuan (ex-Football Association president), Du Zhaocai.[para. 16]

17. Soccer showed systemic corruption; many sentenced to prison.[para. 17]

18. Targeted Olympic prep, reforms, winter sports under Gou; probes into Hu Guangyu, Liu Aijie, Cao Weidong; Gou fell May 30, 2024.[para. 18]

19. 2025: Jan. 10 probe into Li Quanqiang (ex-Volleyball Center director); April 7 sentenced to 10 years 3 months, 800,000 yuan fine ($117,000), gains confiscated.[para. 19]

20. Oct. 11, 2025: Probe into Chen Yingbiao, ex-National Olympic Sports Center director.[para. 20]