Sport
Japanese Badminton Star Chiharu Shida Announces Split from Partner Arisa Igarashi
Chiharu Shida has officially announced the end of her partnership with Arisa Igarashi after nearly one year of competing together.
According to a report by Khaosod Online Thailand, Japanese badminton player Chiharu Shida has announced that she and her current partner, Arisa Igarashi, will cease competing as a pair. The two athletes began playing together in September 2025, following Shida’s separation from her long-term partner of ten years, Nami Matsuyama.
Currently ranked 15th in the world for women’s doubles, the pair struggled to secure a title during their time together. Their most notable performance occurred at the 2026 Indonesia Masters, where they reached the final but ultimately finished as runners-up. Shida shared the official statement from their management agency via her personal Instagram account, noting that the pair had been working to find their best playing style before deciding to part ways.
For fans and followers of the sport in Thailand, this news marks a significant shift in the international badminton landscape. While the professional split is confirmed, details regarding Shida’s future career plans or the identity of any potential new partners remain unannounced. Observers of the sport will be watching to see how this change impacts the upcoming tournament circuit and whether Shida will return to the court with a new teammate in the near future.
Translated from Thai.
SawaLife is not a news organisation. We classify and translate source material using automated processing and editorial controls; the original publication remains the authoritative context.