On the evening of 25/8, thousands of fans flocked to Tay Ho Gymnasium to witness Japanese player Chiharu Shida's return to Vietnam after 10 years.

Born on 29/4/1997, Shida stands 1,62 m tall and is right-handed. Despite coming from a non-athletic family, she displayed talent and an intense passion for badminton from the age of 6.

Thanks to her graceful smile, the media dubbed her the "Japan's badminton goddess".

In 2016, at the age of 19, Shida visited Hanoi to compete in the Vietnam International. She won the women's doubles event, marking the first international championship of her career.

Shida's career subsequently flourished, leading to many international successes. At one point, she was ranked second in the world, secured two All England Championships, and earned bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics and the 2025 World Championships.

Fans love her for her approachable image, endearing expressions, and the positive energy she generates. In Vietnam, fans affectionately call her "Chi Deo".

After a long time, having the opportunity to meet Vietnamese fans again, Shida was touched by their affection and messages. "This is a motivation for me to continue striving in the future. I am truly very happy", she said.

Shida is currently experiencing a back issue. Despite this, she made an effort to participate in exhibition matches such as mixed doubles, 3-on-3, and 11-point singles, to reciprocate the fans' affection.

During the exchange, the Japanese player shared insights into her competitive journey and life off the court, while also playing directly with the audience.

"I hope badminton enthusiasts in Vietnam always find joy when holding a racket, confidently pursue what they love, and continuously challenge themselves. Who knows, from today's passion, new journeys may begin and propel Vietnamese badminton further in the future", Shida said during an exchange with fans in Hanoi.

Shida received gifts from fans, including a conical hat adorned with Vietnamese and Japanese cultural symbols such as lotus flowers, Mount Fuji, cherry blossoms, and an image of Shida. These images symbolize the connection between the two cultures and the affection of Vietnamese fans for the Japanese player.

The 29-year-old player was delighted to receive gifts from Vietnamese fans, including a guestbook filled with messages written directly during the exchange.

Duc Dong - Tung Dinh