Chiharu Shida Urges Fans to Respect Her Privacy Amid Stalking Incidents
Japanese badminton player Chiharu Shida has issued an emotional appeal to her fans—especially those in China—to stop stalking her during tournaments. The 27-year-old athlete, who is currently competing at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, opened up about a disturbing pattern of harassment that has continued for over 18 months.
Ongoing Harassment at Tournaments
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Shida expressed her growing discomfort.
“We get stalked every time we compete in China. It’s been happening for over a year and a half. Recently, we’ve felt extremely uncomfortable and scared,” she wrote.
Clearly, this is not a one-time issue. Instead, it has become a repeated problem, particularly during her visits to China, where she is often referred to as the “most beautiful player.”
Support Appreciated, But Boundaries Are Needed
While Shida acknowledged the support from many of her fans, she made it clear that there are limits.
“Please focus on us in the stadium, not on our private lives,” she urged.
She added, “If this continues, I’ll need to find another way to protect myself.”
Importantly, Shida emphasized that not all fans are responsible for the harassment. In fact, she thanked the majority who continue to cheer her on respectfully.
Despite Distractions, Shida and Matsuyama Continue to Perform
Despite these challenges off the court, Shida and her doubles partner Nami Matsuyama continue to thrive.
The pair recently earned a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Additionally, they currently rank No. 3 in the world in women’s doubles.
Thanks to their consistent performance, they remain a dominant force in international badminton.
The 2023 China Masters Incident Sparks Concern
This issue gained wider attention after Shida shared details about a disturbing incident from the 2023 China Masters.
According to her, a few fans not only stalked her but also touched her inappropriately.
Understandably, this behavior raised serious concerns about athlete safety and event security.
Chinese Olympic Committee Takes Action
In response, the Chinese Olympic Committee issued a strong statement condemning obsessive fan culture.
They highlighted that such behavior not only violates an athlete’s personal space but also threatens the spirit of fair competition and public order.
As a result, officials are now under pressure to improve protection for players and uphold a respectful environment at all tournaments.
Key Takeaways:
The Chinese Olympic Committee has condemned inappropriate fan behavior and promised action.
Chiharu Shida has spoken out about long-term stalking issues, especially in China.
She asks fans to respect her privacy and focus on her performance during matches.
Despite the challenges, she and partner Nami Matsuyama continue to succeed on the global stage.
An incident at China Masters 2023 raised alarms about athlete safety.