It was a day of milestones and contrasting emotions at the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals as South Korea emerged as the biggest winners in Hangzhou.
At the same time, France’s Christo Popov produced a stunning upset to rewrite history on badminton’s season-ending stage.
South Korea captured three of the five titles, headlined by another record-breaking performance from An Se Young, while China and Europe shared the remaining honours.
Women’s Singles: An Se Young Equals Momota’s Record
South Korea’s An Se Young capped a remarkable season by claiming her 11th title of the year, defeating China’s Wang Zhi Yi 21-13, 18-21, 21-10 in a bruising 96-minute final.
The victory sees An drawing level with Japanese great Kento Momota for the most titles won in a single season, underlining her dominance across the 2025 campaign.
“I’m truly happy and proud of myself to have won these titles,” said An, who battled through visible discomfort late in the match after sustaining a leg injury.
Wang pushed the Olympic champion hard, forcing errors from An in the second game before fading in the decider. “My energy dropped in the third game, and I made too many mistakes,” Wang admitted.
Men’s Singles: Popov Stuns Shi to Make History
The shock of the day came in the men’s singles final, where France’s Christo Popov dismantled reigning world champion Shi Yu Qi 21-19, 21-9 to become the first Frenchman to win the BWF World Tour Finals title.
Popov edged a tight opening game before producing a breathtaking second-game display, controlling the rallies with fearless attacking play and crisp net exchanges to silence the home crowd.
Shi, who struggled physically in the latter stages, was gracious in defeat.
“I have some limitations with my physique,” the 29-year-old admitted. “Sometimes it was hard for me to reach the shuttle.”
Popov historic run included victories over Antonsen, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Jonatan Christie, Kodai Naraoka and Shi Yu Qi, earning him the USD240,000 winner’s cheque and signalling a breakthrough moment for French badminton.
Men’s Doubles: Korea Complete Record Treble
South Korea completed a golden day as Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae claimed the men’s doubles crown with a commanding 21-18, 21-14 win over China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang.
The victory marked the pair’s 11th title of the season, making them the most successful men’s doubles partnership in a single year, surpassing legendary pairs including Li Yongbo/Tian Bingyi, Ge Fei/Gu Jun and Yu Yang/Wang Xiaoli.
Women’s Doubles: Baek–Lee Defend Crown
Korea’s Baek Ha Na/Lee So Hee successfully defended their women’s doubles title, overpowering Japan’s Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto 21-17, 21-11 in a controlled performance.
It was their second consecutive World Tour Finals triumph and their third win over the Japanese pair in four meetings, reaffirming their standing as one of the most reliable partnerships on the circuit.
Mixed Doubles: China Close Season in Style
China rounded off the tournament with mixed doubles gold as Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping defeated compatriots Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin 21-12, 21-17.
The victory marked Feng and Huang’s eighth title of the season and their first World Tour Finals crown together, capping a year in which they reached 10 finals.
FINAL RESULTS
Men’s Singles
Christo Popov (FRA) bt Shi Yu Qi (CHN) 21-19, 21-9
Women’s Singles
An Se Young (KOR) bt Wang Zhi Yi (CHN) 21-13, 18-21, 21-10
Men’s Doubles
Kim Won Ho / Seo Seung Jae (KOR) bt Liang Wei Keng / Wang Chang (CHN) 21-18, 21-14
Women’s Doubles
Baek Ha Na / Lee So Hee (KOR) bt Yuki Fukushima / Mayu Matsumoto (JPN) 21-17, 21-11
Mixed Doubles
Feng Yan Zhe / Huang Dong Ping (CHN) bt Jiang Zhen Bang / Wei Ya Xin (CHN) 21-12, 21-17
