Overview

• Chiharu Shida, a top-ranked Japanese badminton player, has publicly called on her Chinese fans to stop stalking her, citing fear and discomfort during competitions.
• The harassment, which has persisted for over a year and a half, resurfaced during the ongoing Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, where Shida is competing.
• Shida's Instagram post expressed gratitude to supportive fans but warned that continued stalking may lead her to take further action to protect her privacy.
• This issue is part of a broader crackdown by Chinese authorities on extreme fan behavior, with thousands of online accounts shut down and millions of posts removed recently.
• Shida, a bronze medalist at the Paris Olympics and ranked third globally in women's doubles with partner Nami Matsuyama, remains a popular figure in China, where she is nicknamed the 'Badminton Goddess.'