Zhou Mi (; born 18 February 1979) is a Chinese badminton player. During much of her career she represented the People's Republic of China, but since 2007 she has represented Hong Kong which has a sports program and teams independent from those of the mainland. In 2010, she received a 2-year ban, for failing a drugs test.
Career
Since 1998 Zhou has won more than twenty international singles titles on the world circuit and has achieved number one world rankings at various times. She was a silver medalist behind compatriot Gong Ruina at the 2001 IBF World Championships and was a bronze medalist at the 2003 Championships. She won women's singles at the quadrennial Asian Games in 2002, defeating Gong Ruina in the final. Zhou is a three-time finalist at the prestigious All-England Championships where she captured the title in 2003. She played singles for world champion Chinese Uber Cup (women's international) teams in 2002 and 2004.
Olympic controversy
At the 2004 Athens Olympics Zhou reached the semifinal round where she was eliminated from gold medal contention by fellow countrywoman Zhang Ning. She then defeated Gong Ruina in the playoff for the bronze medal. The circumstances behind Zhou's semifinal defeat are controversial, however, because China's national coach Li Yongbo later confirmed rumors that he had instructed Zhou not to fight hard after she had dropped the first game to Zhang. His rationale was that a fresh Zhang Ning would have a better chance to defeat a non-Chinese opponent, the Netherlands' Mia Audina, in the final.
"Retirement" and comeback
Whether the Olympic episode or subsequent injury and poor performance was the primary cause, Zhou apparently retired from badminton during the 2005 season. She played no tournaments in 2006 but secured residence in Hong Kong through its Quality Migration program. Zhou then reemerged on the world badminton circuit during the 2007 season. From a weak start at the Singapore Open her results dramatically improved to the point where she had regained a number one world ranking as of the end of the year 2008. Since launching her comeback Zhou's titles have included the New Zealand and Philippines Opens in 2007, and the South Korea, India, Macau Opens, and China Masters in 2008. In December, Zhou ended the 2008 season by winning the BWF Super Series Masters Finals, the biggest prize money event in the sport.
Positive clenbuterol test and two years ban
The BWF announced on 4 September 2010 that a BWF Doping Hearing conducted in Copenhagen on Monday 23 August has banned Zhou Mi for 2 years from participation in badminton, following an Adverse Analytical Finding. A sample taken from her in late June as part of the BWF's 'out-of-competition' testing programme. Zhou tested positive to clenbuterol, a Class 1 Anabolic Agent on the WADA Prohibited List of substances.
On 27 October 2011, more than one year after she was handed a two-year ban for testing positive for clenbuterol, former badminton world No. 1 Zhou Mi reiterated her innocence. "At the time of the test, I was not competing or preparing to compete. There was not even the slightest reason or incentive for me to take any performance-enhancing substance," said Zhou. Regardless of the incident, Zhou, now 32, added it was time for her to retire from the sport. Clenbuterol can be consumed from eating contaminated food.
Achievements
Olympic Games
Women's singles
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
! Year
! Venue
! Opponent
! Score
! Result
|- style="background:#F3E6D7"
| align="center" | 2004
| align="left" | Goudi Olympic Hall, Athens, Greece
| align="left" | Gong Ruina
| align="left" | 11–2, 8–11, 11–6
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Bronze Bronze
|}
World Championships
Women's singles
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
! Year
! Venue
! Opponent
! Score
! Result
|- style="background:#F3E6D7"
| align="center" | 2001
| align="left" | Palacio de Deportes de San Pablo, Seville, Spain
| align="left" | Gong Ruina
| align="left" | 9–11, 4–11
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Silver Silver
|- style="background:#F3E6D7"
| align="center" | 2003
| align="left" | National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, England
| align="left" | Gong Ruina
| align="left" | 2–11, 4–11
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Bronze Bronze
|}
Asian Games
Women's singles
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
! Year
! Venue
! Opponent
! Score
! Result
|- style="background:#FFB069"
| align="center" | 2002
| align="left" | Gangseo Gymnasium, Busan, South Korea
| align="left" | Gong Ruina
| align="left" | 11–1, 11–1
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Gold Gold
|}
Asian Championships
Women's singles
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
! Year
! Venue
! Opponent
! Score
! Result
|- style="background:#ECF2FF"
| align="center" | 2002
| align="left" | Nimibutr Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
| align="left" | Zhang Ning
| align="left" | 6–11, 11–3, 11–8
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Gold Gold
|- style="background:#ECF2FF"
| align="center" | 2010
| align="left" | Siri Fort Indoor Stadium, New Delhi, India
| align="left" | Liu Xin
| align="left" | 15–21, 18–21
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Bronze Bronze
|}
East Asian Games
Women's singles
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
! Year
! Venue
! Opponent
! Score
! Result
|- style="background:#FFAAAA"
| align="center" | 2009
| align="left" | Queen Elizabeth Stadium, Hong Kong
| align="left" | Yip Pui Yin
| align="left" | 21–15, 13–21, 10–17 retired
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Silver Silver
|}
World Junior Championships
Mixed doubles
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
! Year
! Venue
! Partner
! Opponent
! Score
! Result
|- style="background:#98FB98"
| align="center" | 1996
| align="left" | Silkeborg Hallerne, Silkeborg, Denmark
| align="left" | Zhu Feng
| align="left" | Cheng Rui <br /> Gao Ling
| align="left" | 8–15, 14–17
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Bronze Bronze
|}
Asian Junior Championships
Girls' singles
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
! Year
! Venue
! Opponent
! Score
! Result
|- style="background:#AABBCC"
| align="center" | 1997
| align="left" | Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Manila, Philippines
| align="left" | Gong Ruina
| align="left" | 5–11, 5–11
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Silver Silver
|}
Girls' doubles
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
! Year
! Venue
! Partner
! Opponent
! Score
! Result
|- style="background:#AABBCC"
| align="center" | 1997
| align="left" | Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Manila, Philippines
| align="left" | Yu Hua
| align="left" | Chor Hooi Yee <br /> Lim Pek Siah
| align="left" | 10–15, 6–15
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Bronze Bronze
|}
BWF Superseries
The BWF Superseries, which was launched on 14 December 2006 and implemented in 2007, is a series of elite badminton tournaments, sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). BWF Superseries levels are Superseries and Superseries Premier. A season of Superseries consists of twelve tournaments around the world that have been introduced since 2011. Successful players are invited to the Superseries Finals, which are held at the end of each year.
Women's singles
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
! Year
! Tournament
! Opponent
! Score
! Result
|- style="background:#FFFFCC"
| align="center" | 2008
| align="left" | Korea Open
| align="left" | Lu Lan
| align="left" | 21–18, 15–21, 21–15
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|- style="background:#FFFFCC"
| align="center" | 2008
| align="left" | Singapore Open
| align="left" | Tine Rasmussen
| align="left" | 19–21, 17–21
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Runner-up
|- style="background:#FFFFCC"
| align="center" | 2008
| align="left" | Japan Open
| align="left" | Wang Yihan
| align="left" | 19–21, 21–17, 15–21
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Runner-up
|- style="background:#FFFFCC"
| align="center" | 2008
| align="left" | China Masters
| align="left" | Wang Lin
| align="left" | 21–19, 19–21, 21–16
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|- style="background:#FFFFCC"
| align="center" | 2008
| align="left" | Denmark Open
| align="left" | Wang Lin
| align="left" | 18–21, 10–21
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Runner-up
|- style="background:#B0C4DE"
| align="center" | 2008
| align="left" | World Superseries Masters Finals
| align="left" | Wang Chen
| align="left" | 21–14, 21–18
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|- style="background:#FFFFCC"
| align="center" | 2009
| align="left" | Malaysia Open
| align="left" | Tine Rasmussen
| align="left" | 17–21, 21–15, 16–21
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Runner-up
|- style="background:#FFFFCC"
| align="center" | 2009
| align="left" | Singapore Open
| align="left" | Xie Xingfang
| align="left" | 21–19, 18–21, 21–10
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|}
: BWF Superseries Finals tournament
: BWF Superseries tournament
BWF Grand Prix
The BWF Grand Prix had two levels, the BWF Grand Prix and Grand Prix Gold. It was a series of badminton tournaments sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) which was held from 2007 to 2017. The World Badminton Grand Prix sanctioned by International Badminton Federation (IBF) from 1983 to 2006.
Women's singles
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
! Year
! Tournament
! Opponent
! Score
! Result
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 1998
| align="left" | Brunei Open
| align="left" | Gong Ruina
| align="left" | 7–11, 4–11
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Runner-up
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 1998
| align="left" | Dutch Open
| align="left" | Yao Jie
| align="left" | 10–13, 13–11, 11–4
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 1999
| align="left" | Korea Open
| align="left" | Gong Ruina
| align="left" | 11–6, 13–12
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 1999
| align="left" | Chinese Taipei Open
| align="left" | Dai Yun
| align="left" | 5–11, 8–11
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Runner-up
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 1999
| align="left" | Denmark Open
| align="left" | Camilla Martin
| align="left" | 11–8, 3–11, 1–11
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Runner-up
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 1999
| align="left" | China Open
| align="left" | Gong Ruina
| align="left" | 11–6, 11–5
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 2000
| align="left" | Thailand Open
| align="left" | Ye Zhaoying
| align="left" | 5–11, 0–11
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Runner-up
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 2000
| align="left" | Dutch Open
| align="left" | Gong Ruina
| align="left" | 11–7, 9–11, 11–8
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 2000
| align="left" | Denmark Open
| align="left" | Camilla Martin
| align="left" | 1–11, 11–6, 11–7
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|- style="background:#C3F6D7"
| align="center" | 2000
| align="left" | World Grand Prix Finals
| align="left" | Gong Zhichao
| align="left" | 7–5, 5–7, 7–1, 7–0
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 2001
| align="left" | All England Open
| align="left" | Gong Zhichao
| align="left" | 7–11, 3–11
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Runner-up
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 2001
| align="left" | Japan Open
| align="left" | Gong Ruina
| align="left" | 11–8, 11–0
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 2001
| align="left" | Malaysia Open
| align="left" | Gong Ruina
| align="left" | 3–7, 2–7, 4–7
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Runner-up
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 2001
| align="left" | China Open
| align="left" | Gong Ruina
| align="left" | 7–2, 7–0, 7–4
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 2002
| align="left" | Japan Open
| align="left" | Dai Yun
| align="left" | 7–1, 7–0, 7–1
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 2002
| align="left" | Singapore Open
| align="left" | Zhang Ning
| align="left" | 11–6, 11–3
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 2003
| align="left" | All England Open
| align="left" | Xie Xingfang
| align="left" | 11–6, 11–5
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 2003
| align="left" | Singapore Open
| align="left" | Zhang Ning
| align="left" | 0–11, 8–11
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Runner-up
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 2003
| align="left" | Malaysia Open
| align="left" | Camilla Martin
| align="left" | 11–1, 7–11, 11–5
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 2003
| align="left" | Denmark Open
| align="left" | Gong Ruina
| align="left" | 11–4, 10–13, 3–11
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Runner-up
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 2003
| align="left" | China Open
| align="left" | Gong Ruina
| align="left" | 13–10, 11–1
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 2004
| align="left" | All England Open
| align="left" | Gong Ruina
| align="left" | 7–11, 7–11
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Runner-up
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 2004
| align="left" | Malaysia Open
| align="left" | Zhang Ning
| align="left" | 11–9, 7–11, 8–11
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Runner-up
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 2004
| align="left" | Singapore Open
| align="left" | Zhang Ning
| align="left" | 8–11, 1–11
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Runner-up
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 2005
| align="left" | Singapore Open
| align="left" | Zhang Ning
| align="left" | 5–11, 7–11
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Runner-up
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 2005
| align="left" | China Masters
| align="left" | Zhang Ning
| align="left" | 3–11, 11–5, 3–11
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Runner-up
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 2007
| align="left" | New Zealand Open
| align="left" | Chie Umezu
| align="left" | 21–13, 21–10
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|- style="background:#FFFF67"
| align="center" | 2007
| align="left" | Thailand Open
| align="left" | Zhu Lin
| align="left" | 22–20, 5–21, 14–21
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Runner-up
|- style="background:#FFFF67"
| align="center" | 2007
| align="left" | Philippines Open
| align="left" | Zhu Jingjing
| align="left" | 21–18, 21–12
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|- style="background:#FFFF67"
| align="center" | 2008
| align="left" | India Open
| align="left" | Lu Lan
| align="left" | 21–14, 21–14
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|- style="background:#FFFF67"
| align="center" | 2008
| align="left" | Macau Open
| align="left" | Julia Wong Pei Xian
| align="left" | 21–13, 21–19
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 2008
| align="left" | New Zealand Open
| align="left" | Rachel Hindley
| align="left" | 21–10, 21–15
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|- style="background:#FFFF67"
| align="center" | 2009
| align="left" | Philippines Open
| align="left" | Wang Xin
| align="left" | 10–21, 21–12, 21–23
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Runner-up
|- style="background:#FFFF67"
| align="center" | 2010
| align="left" | Malaysia Grand Prix Gold
| align="left" | Yip Pui Yin
| align="left" | 16–21, 21–14, 19–21
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Runner-up
|}
Women's doubles
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
! Year
! Tournament
! Partner
! Opponent
! Score
! Result
|-
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 1999
| align="left" | Dutch Open
| align="left" | Tang Chunyu
| align="left" | Chen Lin <br /> Jiang Xuelian
| align="left" | 9–15, 4–15
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Runner-up
|}
Mixed doubles
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
! Year
! Tournament
! Partner
! Opponent
! Score
! Result
|-
|- style="background:#D4F1C5"
| align="center" | 1996
| align="left" | Brunei Open
| align="left" | Yang Ming
| align="left" | Sandiarto <br /> Vera Octavia
| align="left" | 13–18, 12–15
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Runner-up
|}
: BWF Grand Prix Gold tournament
: BWF & IBF Grand Prix tournament
BWF International Challenge/Series
Women's singles
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
! Year
! Tournament
! Opponent
! Score
! Result
|- style="background:#D5D5D5"
| align="center" | 1999
| align="left" | French International
| align="left" | Aparna Popat
| align="left" | 11–0, 11–2
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|- style="background:#E9E9E9"
| align="center" | 2007
| align="left" | Miami Pan Am International
| align="left" | Lucía Tavera
| align="left" | 21–7, 21–6
| style="text-align:left; background:white" | Winner
|}
: BWF International Challenge tournament
: BWF International Series tournament
: BWF Future Series tournament
Record against selected opponents
Record against year-end Finals finalists, World Championships semi-finalists, and Olympic quarter-finalists.
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center; font-size:small"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Players
! rowspan="2" | Matches
! colspan="2" | Results
! rowspan="2" | Difference
|-
! Won
! Lost
|-
| align="left" | Petya Nedelcheva
| 4 || 4 || 0 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +4
|-
| align="left" | Dai Yun
| 6 || 3 || 3 || bgcolor="#fffff0" | 0
|-
| align="left" | Gong Ruina
| 24 || 12 || 12 || bgcolor="#fffff0" | 0
|-
| align="left" | Gong Zhichao
| 3 || 2 || 1 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +1
|-
| align="left" | Han Jingna
| 1 || 1 || 0 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +1
|-
| align="left" | Li Xuerui
| 1 || 0 || 1 || bgcolor="#ffddee" | –1
|-
| align="left" | Lu Lan
| 7 || 6 || 1 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +5
|-
| align="left" | Wang Lin
| 4 || 3 || 1 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +2
|-
| align="left" | Wang Shixian
| 1 || 0 || 1 || bgcolor="#ffddee" | –1
|-
| align="left" | Wang Xin
| 2 || 0 || 2 || bgcolor="#ffddee" | –2
|-
| align="left" | Wang Yihan
| 4 || 0 || 4 || bgcolor="#ffddee" | –4
|-
| align="left" | Xie Xingfang
| 12 || 9 || 3 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +6
|-
| align="left" | Ye Zhaoying
| 2 || 0 || 2 || bgcolor="#ffddee" | –2
|}
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center; font-size:small"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Players
! rowspan="2" | Matches
! colspan="2" | Results
! rowspan="2" | Difference
|-
! Won
! Lost
|-
| align="left" | Zhang Ning
| 20 || 12 || 8 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +4
|-
| align="left" | Zhu Lin
| 6 || 1 || 5 || bgcolor="#ffddee" | –4
|-
| align="left" | Huang Chia-chi
| 1 || 1 || 0 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +1
|-
| align="left" | Tai Tzu-ying
| 1 || 1 || 0 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +1
|-
| align="left" | Tine Baun
| 12 || 8 || 4 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +4
|-
| align="left" | Camilla Martin
| 8 || 4 || 4 || bgcolor="#fffff0" | 0
|-
| align="left" | Mette Sørensen
| 1 || 1 || 0 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +1
|-
| align="left" | Tracey Hallam
| 4 || 4 || 0 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +4
|-
| align="left" | Pi Hongyan
| 7 || 4 || 3 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +1
|-
| align="left" | Juliane Schenk
| 4 || 3 || 1 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +2
|-
| align="left" | Xu Huaiwen
| 7 || 4 || 3 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +1
|-
| align="left" | / Wang Chen
| 11 || 7 || 4 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +3
|-
| align="left" | Yip Pui Yin
| 3 || 2 || 1 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +1
|}
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center; font-size:small"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Players
! rowspan="2" | Matches
! colspan="2" | Results
! rowspan="2" | Difference
|-
! Won
! Lost
|-
| align="left" | Saina Nehwal
| 4 || 3 || 1 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +2
|-
| align="left" | Lindaweni Fanetri
| 1 || 1 || 0 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +1
|-
| align="left" | Maria Kristin Yulianti
| 3 || 2 || 1 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +1
|-
| align="left" | Yasuko Mizui
| 2 || 1 || 1 || bgcolor="#fffff0" | 0
|-
| align="left" | Wong Mew Choo
| 3 || 3 || 0 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +3
|-
| align="left" | / Mia Audina
| 11 || 6 || 5 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +1
|-
| align="left" | Bae Yeon-ju
| 2 || 0 || 2 || bgcolor="#ffddee" | –2
|-
| align="left" | Kim Ji-hyun
| 2 || 1 || 1 || bgcolor="#fffff0" | 0
|-
| align="left" | Sung Ji-hyun
| 2 || 1 || 1 || bgcolor="#fffff0" | 0
|-
| align="left" | Porntip Buranaprasertsuk
| 2 || 2 || 0 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +2
|-
| align="left" | Ratchanok Intanon
| 1 || 1 || 0 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +1
|-
| align="left" | Somharuthai Jaroensiri
| 1 || 0 || 1 || bgcolor="#ffddee" | –1
|}