Zhang Ning

Zhang Ning is a Chinese badminton player, born on 19 May 1975, who won the Olympic gold medal in women's singles in both 2004 and 2008 and is the only woman to win consecutive Olympic singles golds. She became World champion in 2003 and collected five World Championships medals of all colours. She was especially successful from 2002 onward, late for a top singles player developed in the Chinese system, and was known for her consistency of shot, her deception and the constant pressure she put on opponents in all four corners of the court. She first played for China in the Uber Cup in 1994 and last in 2006, the longest span of any Chinese player in that event.