Christo Popov wins BWF World Tour Finals, sets an unprecedented record

The final showdown featured a high-stakes clash between the rising French star and China’s world number 1, Shi Yuqi. Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, Popov displayed remarkable composure. The first set was a tactical battle, with both players trading powerful smashes and delicate net shots. Despite the immense pressure, Popov remained disciplined to secure the opening set 21-19.

Moving into the second set, the momentum shifted entirely. While Shi Yuqi appeared to struggle with physical fatigue after a grueling week, Popov’s superior fitness and "steel wall" defense became solid. 

The Frenchman dominated the court with his signature left-handed play, forcing errors from Shi Yuqi. The match concluded with a decisive 21-9 victory in the second set, sparking emotional celebrations for the European underdog.

This triumph is more than just a personal win; it is a record-breaking achievement for French sports. Popov is now the first Frenchman ever to win the men's singles title at the season-ending championships. Furthermore, for European badminton, this victory reaffirms the continent's growing dominance, proving that Europe can consistently challenge and defeat Asia's best on their own turf.

Popov’s 2025 season has been nothing short of miraculous. Before this tournament, he had already surged into the world top 10, showing incredible consistency. Interestingly, the World Tour Finals crown is his first title of the year and only the third BWF title of his career, following 2 previous Super 300 victories. This win marks his first major success in Asia and stands as the most prestigious trophy in his professional journey to date.

While Popov grabbed the headlines, other categories also saw fierce competition. In the women’s singles, South Korea's An Se-young successfully defended her title after a tough battle against Wang Zhiyi. 

South Korea continued their dominance as Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae claimed the men’s doubles title, while Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee took home the women’s doubles trophy. The host nation, China, secured one title through Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping in the mixed doubles category.