Former badminton world champion Xia Xuanze under investigation in China

Former world badminton champion and Chinese Badminton Association (CBA) vice-president Xia Xuanze is under investigation for suspected serious violations of discipline and law. 

The announcement was published on the website of the General Administration of Sport of China on Monday (Aug 31), according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua. 

Xia, 48, is reportedly undergoing disciplinary review by a team from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. The probe also involves local authorities in Nantong, Jiangsu province.

No details of the allegations have been released, with authorities only stating that Xia is suspected of "serious violations of discipline and law".

Xia was a prominent figure in Chinese badminton, winning the men's singles bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics before claiming the world championship title in 2003.

He retired from competitive badminton in 2007 and subsequently moved into coaching, eventually becoming head coach of the Chinese national team's singles division before being appointed CBA vice-president in 2018.

His investigation comes after CBA president Zhang Jun was placed under disciplinary review and supervisory investigation in April. Authorities have yet to announce the outcome of that case, reported China Daily. 

Meanwhile, former CBA vice-president and secretary-general Wang Wei was also announced on Monday as being under investigation for suspected serious violations of national laws.

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xingying.koh@asiaone.com