A major chapter in the history of world badminton is coming to a close. Spain’s Carolina MARÍN, an iconic figure in the sport, announced the end of her professional career on March 26.
Her record speaks for itself: a gold medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, three-time world champion, and eight-time European champion, she has established herself as one of the greatest players of all time.
She will be remembered in particular as the only non-Asian player to win the Olympic gold medal in women’s singles, as well as for holding the world No. 1 ranking for 66 weeks.
The Spanish badminton player also left her mark on the Orléans Masters Badminton by winning the 2023 women’s singles title. She defeated American Beiwen ZHANG in the final after an intense and hard-fought match (25-23, 9-21, 21-10) that lasted 1 hour and 5 minutes.
Beyond her exceptional record, Carolina Marín leaves behind the image of an extraordinary competitor, whose dedication and passion will continue to inspire future generations.
The entire Orléans Masters Badminton organization wishes her all the best in this new chapter.
