‘Age is just a number’ is an age-old cliche but cliche exists for a reason.

Chinese Taipei shuttler Chou Tien Chen proved the saying right on Friday after he took down 21-year-old Alwi Farhan of Indonesia in straight games 21-15, 21-15 to enter the semi-final of the World Championships.

The 36-year-old Chou became the oldest World Championships medallist after confirming his bronze medal in the men’s singles. This is his second medal after he won bronze at the 2022 World Championships.

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Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia held the record when he won the silver in men’s doubles at the 2022 World Championships.

Chou, who recently won his first-ever Super 1000 tournament at China Open, has the chance to become the oldest ever shuttler to win the men’s singles title beating the record of Lin Dan who won it as a 30-year-old in 2013.

“I don’t know what’s the secret but I think he keeps going because of his belief. He is a very focussed guy and that is what makes him different,” his physio Victoria Kao said in the mixed zone.

Chou was at his imperious best when he took on 11th-seed Alwi, who was coming on the back of a confidence boosting win against home favourite Ayush Shetty.

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He matched the youngster shot by shot and didn’t give him any inch to bring out his speedy shots. “Alwi is a good player and I wanted to make sure that I don’t give him a chance to use his speed on me,” said Chou.

With Chou defeating Alwi, the line-up for semi-final is set with Alex Lanier of France, Kodai Naraoka of Japan, and Victory Lai of Candan featuring tomorrow.

Chou will face Kodai tommorow while Victor will go up against Lanier.

The world is set to have a new world champion in men’s singles as none of these shuttlers have won the world title before.