# Hu Zhe'an

Hu Zhe'an (Chinese: 胡哲安; pinyin: Hú Zhé'ān; born 27 July 2006) is a Chinese badminton player. He clinched the boys' singles gold medal at the 2024 World Juniors. He is also a two-time Asian Junior champion, having won in 2023 and 2024. Hu won his first senior title at the 2024 Baoji China Masters.

## Background

Hu was born on 27 July 2006 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. He began badminton training in first grade at Wentao Primary School under the guidance of Jin Hong, a former shuttler. He was later selected by Chen Jinglun Sports School to join the Zhejiang provincial team. Lin Dan is his role model.

## Career

Hu made his international debut in 2022 where he competed at the Slovenia Junior International, reaching the semi-finals.

### 2023

In March, he made the final of the Dutch Junior International but had to retire due to injury.
In July, he defeated Yudai Okimoto in the boys' singles final and was crowned the champion at the 2023 Asian Junior Championships.
At the inaugural edition of the East Asian Youth Games the following month, he won gold and bronze medals in the boys' singles and boys' doubles events, respectively.
In September, he competed at the 2023 World Junior Championships, where he helped China win the mixed team event. He also won a silver medal in the boys' singles event after losing to Alwi Farhan.

### 2024

In March, Hu made his second final appearance at the Dutch Junior International but lost out to teammate Zhang Zhijie.
In July, he won a gold medal in the mixed team event at the 2024 Asian Junior Championships. In the following week, he successfully defended his boys' singles crown, beating Yoon Ho-seong in three games.
In August, he participated in his first senior tournament at the Baoji China Masters. He defeated compatriot Wang Zhengxing in the final and won the title as a qualifier.
He won a silver medal as a part of China's mixed team at the 2024 World Junior Championships in October. He then advanced to the boys' singles event final. He overcame his fellow countryman Wang Zijun 21–15, 21–18, thus improving his result from last year.
In December, Hu took part in the King Cup, an invitational tournament hosted by Lin Dan. He advanced to the final after defeating Loh Kean Yew in the first round and Lakshya Sen in the semi-finals. In the final, he lost to Anders Antonsen and finished as the runner-up.

## Achievements
### World Junior Championships

Boys' singles
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Ref |
| 2023 | The Podium, Spokane, United States | Alwi Farhan | 19–21, 21–19, 15–21 | Silver | |
| 2024 | Nanchang International Sports Center, Nanchang, China | Wang Zijun | 21–15, 21–18 | Gold | |

### Asian Junior Championships

Boys' singles
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Ref |
| 2023 | Among Rogo Sports Hall, Yogyakarta, Indonesia | Yudai Okimoto | 13–21, 21–14, 21–14 | Gold | |
| 2024 | Among Rogo Sports Hall, Yogyakarta, Indonesia | Yoon Ho-seong | 13–21, 21–14, 21–14 | Gold | |

### East Asian Youth Games

Boys' singles
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 2023 | Futsal Hall, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia | Wang Zijun | 21–18, 21–15 | Gold |
Boys' doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 2023 | Futsal Hall, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia | Liao Pinyi | Lee Jong-min Park Beom-su | 22–24, 19–21 | Bronze |

### BWF World Tour (1 title)

The BWF World Tour, which was announced on 19 March 2017 and implemented in 2018, is a series of elite badminton tournaments sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). The BWF World Tour is divided into levels of World Tour Finals, Super 1000, Super 750, Super 500, Super 300, and the BWF Tour Super 100.
Men's singles
| Year | Tournament | Level | Opponent | Score | Result | Ref |
| 2024 | Baoji China Masters | Super 100 | Wang Zhengxing | 21–18, 11–21, 21–14 | Winner | |

### BWF Junior International (2 runners-up)

Boys' singles
| Year | Tournament | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 2023 | Dutch Junior International | Yudai Okimoto | 7–21, 21–11, 3–14 retired | Runner-up |
| 2024 | Dutch Junior International | Zhang Zhijie | 10–21, 21–11, 13–21 | Runner-up |
    BWF Junior International Grand Prix tournament
    BWF Junior International Challenge tournament
    BWF Junior International Series tournament
    BWF Junior Future Series tournament