Badminton Star Chiharu Shida Calls Out Stalking by Fans
NINGBO, China — Japanese badminton player Chiharu Shida, a bronze medalist at the Paris Olympics, has publicly requested that some of her Chinese fans cease stalking her. The world No. 3 doubles player expressed feeling “very scared” due to the persistent adn unwanted attention.
Shida, 27, and her doubles partner Nami Matsuyama, are currently competing in the Asia Championships in Ningbo.
“Badminton Goddess” Targeted by Overzealous Fans
Nicknamed “Badminton Goddess” by Chinese fans and media, Shida has gained popularity in China, partially due to her engagement with Chinese culture.
In an instagram post on Tuesday, Shida accused some fans of crossing the line. “Every time we compete in China we always experience the harm of stalkers,” Shida wrote in Chinese. “It has already gone on for a year and a half, and recently I have felt very uncomfortable and very scared.”
She firmly requested, “From now on, please immediatly stop stalking me… but if the situation continues, I will think of a way to handle it.”
Gratitude Amidst Concerns
Shida clarified that the issue pertains to a minority of supporters. “Not all fans are like this,” she stated, thanking the majority for their encouragement.
Shida and Matsuyama recently defeated their compatriots, Mizuki Otake and Miyu Takahashi, in Ningbo on Wednesday.
Crackdown on Extreme Fandom in China
In recent years, the chinese government has been attempting to curb extreme fan behavior, after celebrities and athletes have been subjected to stalking and other forms of abuse.
According to state broadcaster CCTV, the country’s cyber watchdog recently shut down nearly 4,000 online accounts and removed 1.6 million posts from Chinese internet platforms in an effort to “create a good public opinion surroundings for athletes.”
How has chiharu Shida’s engagement with Chinese culture contributed to her popularity there?
Badminton Star Chiharu Shida Calls Out Stalking by Fans: Q&A
Q: Who is Chiharu Shida?
A: Chiharu Shida is a Japanese badminton player, currently ranked world No. 3 in doubles,and a bronze medalist from the Paris olympics.She and her doubles partner are competing in the Asia championships in Ningbo, China.
Q: What is shida’s specific complaint?
A: shida is asking some Chinese fans to stop stalking her. She has expressed feeling “very scared” due to their persistent and unwanted attention, which has been ongoing for about a year and a half.
Q: why is Shida popular in China?
A: She is nicknamed “badminton Goddess” by Chinese fans and media and has gained popularity, in part, as of her engagement with Chinese culture.
Q: Did Shida clarify anything about her concerns?
A: Yes, she made it clear that the stalking behavior is limited to a minority of fans. She thanked the majority for their support.
Q: How is the Chinese government addressing extreme fan behavior?
A: The Chinese government has been cracking down on extreme fandom, including stalking and abuse. They’ve shut down thousands of online accounts and removed millions of posts to protect athletes and create a better online habitat.
Q: What can fans do to support athletes respectfully?
A: Fans should respect personal boundaries, avoid stalking or harassing behavior, and focus on showing support through appropriate channels like cheering at events and offering encouraging messages without crossing the line. Remember an athlete’s life off the court is just as critically important.
Chiharu Shida’s experience highlights the importance of respecting athletes’ personal space. Let’s all be mindful of our behavior and contribute to a positive environment for sports!
