Twenty-seven tournaments, 72 matches, three finals, one title – that was how busy Chou Tien Chen was in 2025. At age 35, Chou Tien Chen’s appetite for competition shows no sign of diminishing.

The 27 tournaments spanned three continents, and Chou played an average of over two tournaments a month. In contrast, Anders Antonsen played 18, while Kunlavut Vitidsarn played 19.

It’s about a man deeply in love with the sport, who just doesn’t want to stay away too long away from the action – for he believes that could affect his momentum.

“Because I really, really want to play, even to (age) 40, so I need to keep this tempo of tournament play; I don’t want to lose this tempo, this rhythm. So I need to keep training and even if I lose, I need to play.”

But what’s as important is that Chou is not just competing – he’s still driven to be among the best, and he’s still pushing the envelope. A good example was his three-game loss to Shi Yu Qi at the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2025 – the match went 75 minutes, Shi had to dig deep.

“Even if I lost it’s good to play a top player, and of course Shi Yu Qi is world No.1. I’m, very happy to play here, it’s unbelievable I can come back. So I really appreciate the opportunity.

“I still have a high level here, and if I lose, I know how I lost the match. Every time I lose, I need to prepare for the next one. It’s not easy. Every athlete needs to do that; it’s painful, but you need to do it.”

In recent times Chou has reinvented his game – he now forces the pace with a more attacking game, reluctant to be drawn into long rallies. It’s a reinvention that has served him well.

“I need to make some differences. Every time I need to learn some new skill for everything to work, stamina and attitude as well. Maybe next year the points system will change to 15, so maybe I will have better chance. Maybe I will play till 50 and everyone will get bored of me!”

His performances apart, Chou continues to set a high standard as an ambassador of the game, setting an example for his fans. He reflected on the warm hug Shi gave him at the end of their long match.

For Chou, the gesture was special for it reiterated what badminton was about.

“We respect each other, and that’s what this sport needs to show everyone. It’s not just about a win or loss. Even if you win, if you don’t have good attitude, you don’t get respect from everyone. That’s why I pray, from my younger days to now… sometimes maybe I get very angry but then I know something wrong with me, and I need to change. Maybe I’m too serious about everything.”