History turned into triumph on finals day at the 2025 BWF World Tour Finals, as Christo Popov crowned an unforgettable week by lifting the biggest title of his career in Hangzhou.
The 23-year-old Frenchman followed up his landmark semifinal performance by defeating reigning champion Shi Yu Qi of China, 21-19, 21-9, in front of a passionate home crowd. It was a performance of composure, physical excellence and belief from Popov, who becomes the first French player to win the BWF World Tour Finals men’s singles title.
After a demanding week, Shi Yu Qi appeared to struggle physically, particularly in the second game, but that should not detract from Popov’s achievement. The left-hander stayed laser-focused, handled the occasion superbly and took control as the match progressed, sealing victory in emphatic fashion.
Popov leaves Hangzhou undefeated, having navigated one of the toughest groups imaginable before producing back-to-back dominant performances in the knockout rounds. His consistency and physical preparation stood out across the week, and the reward is not only his first World Tour title of 2025, but also his first career victory in Asia, and by far the biggest win of his career.
For European badminton, it is another landmark moment. Popov now joins Viktor Axelsen and Anders Antonsen as the only Europeans to have claimed the prestigious season-ending title, underlining the continued strength and depth of the continent’s men’s singles.
A day of records
The women’s singles final delivered another chapter in a remarkable season for An Se Young. The Korean superstar claimed her 11th title of the year after another marathon encounter, overcoming China’s Wang Zhi Yi 21-13, 18-21, 21-10. With the victory, An joins Kento Momota as the most successful singles player over a single season.
In women’s doubles, reigning champions Baek Ha Na / Lee So Hee successfully defended their crown with a commanding 21-17, 21-11 win over Japan’s Yuki Fukushima / Mayu Matsumoto. It marked a third World Tour Finals title for Lee So Hee, who also lifted the trophy five years ago in Bangkok alongside Shin Seung Chan.
China maintained their dominance in mixed doubles as Feng Yan Zhe / Huang Dong Ping defeated compatriots Jiang Zhen Bang / Wei Ya Xin 21-12, 21-17 in a powerful display. For Huang Dong Ping, it was a special moment, her second World Tour Finals title, coming seven years after her first in 2018 with Wang Yi Lyu.
The men’s doubles final produced yet another record-breaking performance. Korea’s Seo Seung Jae / Kim Won Ho secured their 11th title of the season, a new record, by beating Liang Wei Keng / Wang Chang 21-18, 21-14.
Remarkably, Seo Seung Jae has now accumulated 12 men’s doubles titles in 2025, having also won the Thailand Masters with Jin Yong, more than any player in any discipline.
