Hangzhou, Dec 22 — When Christo Popov arrived in Hangzhou as the world No.8, few expected the Frenchman to leave as World Tour Finals Badminton Championship. By Sunday night, Popov had not only lifted the most prestigious trophy of his career, but also rewritten French badminton history.
Popov defeated China’s world No.1 and reigning champion Shi Yuqi 21–19, 21–9, silencing the home crowd and denying Shi a successful title defence.
A Breakthrough Years in the Making
The victory was historic. Popov became the first French player to win the World Tour Finals, delivering France its maiden title at badminton’s highest level and signalling a new era for French men’s singles.
The triumph was especially remarkable given that Popov had never progressed beyond Super 300 success prior to this season-ending event.
Five Wins, No Weak Links
Popov’s campaign was defined by consistency and resilience. He went undefeated in all five matches, overcoming the world’s toughest opposition.
His run included wins over Shi Yuqi, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, and Anders Antonsen — the world’s top three — as well as Jonatan Christie and Kodai Naraoka, leaving no doubt about the championship’s credibility.
“I stayed focused throughout the week and never allowed myself to relax,” Popov said. “Winning undefeated makes this title even more special.”
Final Turns After the Opening Game
The men’s singles final was evenly balanced early on, with both players trading points in a tense opening game. Once Popov secured the first game, momentum swung decisively.
Shi appeared physically hampered in the second game, later admitting that blisters under his big toe limited his movement. Popov capitalised by increasing the tempo and opening up the court to seal the match convincingly.
Shi Reflects, Popov Ascends
Despite the defeat, Shi rated his 2025 season positively, saying he had achieved several goals and experimented with new approaches. He noted that the rising depth of men’s singles competition meant future title defences would only become tougher.
For Popov, however, Hangzhou will be remembered as the moment he transformed promise into proof — and placed French badminton firmly among the sport’s elite.