One day, Zhang Weidao, a physical education teacher, approached him and informed him that he was selected to go to Nanjing for a training camp.

In 1971, 14-year-old Sun Zhian became the youngest member of the first batch of players in the Jiangsu provincial badminton team after three months of intensive training and selection.

He was felicitated by Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping after the match due to his World Championship victory in Hangzhou earlier in the year.

With his long time partner Yao Ximing, he played two matches in the final clash against the defending champions Indonesia.

They won one match which proved instrumental in Chinese victory and hence claiming the Thomas Cup for the very first time which according to Sun Zhian himself was the most memorable moment of his entire career.