With just days left for the start of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, what portent does their recent form hold for the title frontrunners? Here’s a glimpse at the fortunes of five standout pairs since January:

Zheng Si Wei/Huang Ya Qiong (China)

Born: 1997/1994. Right/Right

The world No.1 have had another strong season – starting with a title at the Indonesia Masters, a third crown at the All England, and then the Singapore Open, before an unexpected loss in the Indonesia Open final. With only the Olympic gold missing from their vast collection, Zheng and Huang will have ticked all boxes in preparation.

Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping (China)

Born: 2001/1995. Right/Right

Defending champion Huang returns to the Olympics with new partner Feng; in their short stint together they have already scaled some of the biggest summits. This year saw them win the French Open and the Badminton Asia Championships.

Seo Seung Jae/Chae Yu Jung (Korea)

Born: 1997/1995. Left/Left

The Koreans have had an up-and-down season, with highlights being runner-up finishes at the French Open and the Badminton Asia Championships. However, having shown previously that they can come good on the biggest stages – they won the World Championships last year – few will bet against the Koreans going all the way in Paris.

Yuta Watanabe/Arisa Higashino (Japan)

Born: 1997/1996. Left/Right

The early part of the season couldn’t have gone better for Watanabe/Higashino, bronze medallists at the last Olympics. They won the Malaysia Open and were in the All England final. After a quarterfinal in the Badminton Asia Championships, they played only two more tournaments, failing to cross the opening round of either.

Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai (Thailand)

Born: 1997/1992. Right/Right

The 2021 world champions won back-to-back titles in India and Thailand early in the season and made the semifinals in France beating Zheng/Huang in a thriller. After a brief slump, they were in the title round of the Thailand Open and the semifinals in Indonesia.