Gao Ling - Career

Career

Noted for her consistency, anticipation, forecourt prowess, and sporting smile, Gao is unarguably, to many fans, the most successful doubles specialists in the history of women's badminton. In addition, she earned the most Olympic medals in recorded history in badminton. At one time or another she has won titles at almost every top tier tournament in the world. Gao has earned four gold medals (among nine medals in total) at the BWF World Championships, three of them in women's doubles with Huang Sui (2001, 2003, and 2006) and one of them in mixed doubles with Zhang Jun (2001). She and Zhang Jun also won consecutive gold medals in mixed doubles at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, overcoming severe tests in both. Gao has not earned an Olympic gold medal in women's doubles, a relative gap in her resume, but earned a bronze medal in 2000 with Qin Yiyuan, and a silver medal with Huang Sui in 2004. From 2001 through 2006 she and Huang also captured a record six consecutive women's doubles titles at the venerable All-England Championships. Their All-England streak was finally broken in the semifinals of the 2007 tournament by fellow countrywomen Zhang Yawen and Wei Yili. Gao has also shared five All-England mixed doubles titles, three with Zhang Jun (2001, 2003, and 2006), and two with Zheng Bo (2007 and 2008). She has been a member of the perennial world champion Chinese Uber Cup (women's international) team since 2000.