Wang Yihan

Yihan was first included in China's junior side in 2004 before making it to the senior side two years later. In 2006, she won the girls' singles at both the Asian Junior and the World Junior Championships. In open international competition she captured the Badminton World Cup in 2006, and the Bitburger and Russian Opens in 2007. She caught everyone's attention when she won the Badminton world cup in 2006 as an 18-year-old beating her then teammate the "veteran" Zhang Ning on her way to the finals and Xie Xingfang in the finals . In September 2008 she defeated the Chinese-Hong Kong "veteran" Zhou Mi in the final of the Japan Open. The tourney is one of the Badminton World Federation's Super Series events which carry the highest level of prize money in the sport.

In 2009, Yihan won the Yonex German Open singles competition against fellow countrywoman Zhu Lin, and just one week later, at the age of 21, the prestigious All-England Championships against Denmark's Tine Rasmussen. Wang then went on to win the Wilson Swiss Open against compatriot Jiang Yanjiao (21–17, 17–21, 21–13). Wang won the Macau Open time in August 2009 when she again beat Jiang Yanjiao (16–21, 22–20, 21–12). In September 2009, Wang won her second YONEX Open Japan title by beating Wang Xin (21–8, 21–9). Wang then won the French Super Series in November when she emphatically beat top seed, and defending champion, Wang Lin (21–9, 21–12). Wang won her second title in a row, and her fifth BWF Super Series tournament of the year, when she beat Jiang Yanjiao (21–13, 21–15) in the Yonex Sunrise Hong Kong Open. This was also her seventh title overall in 2009. Wang is still the most successful women's singles badminton player in winning titles. To date, Wang has won thirty singles titles, including four Super Series Premier titles, fifteen Super Series titles, and one Super Series Finals title. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Yihan was defeated in the quarter-final by India's P. V. Sindhu. Following the loss, she announced her retirement from professional badminton.

Wang is an only child. Wang credited her Mother for her badminton journey. Wang's mother used to play badminton with her just outside their home, seeing her as an energetic child, Wang's parents decided to send her to a badminton academy which eventually led to Wang's successful career. Prior to badminton, she was also recommended by her teachers to play volleyball due to her height. Wang is a native Shanghainese and speaks fluent Shanghainese.

When asked about her relationship status, Wang stated that she is single and is currently focusing on her career. Wang is good friends with teammates such as Li Xuerui, Tian Qing, Fu Haifeng, Lin Dan and so on.

Head-to-head records against Olympic quarterfinalists, World Championship semifinalists, Superseries finalists, plus all Olympic opponents.