Shi crowned in men's singles, China claims two titles at BWF World Championships

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2025-09-01 11:31:17

Shi Yuqi hits a return during the men's singles final against Kunlavut Vitidsarn at the 2025 BWF World Championships in Paris, France, on Aug. 31, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

PARIS, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- China claimed two titles, including Shi Yuqi's maiden world singles trophy, as the 2025 BWF World Championships concluded here on Sunday.

In a grueling three-game men's final, Shi rallied past Thailand's defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn 19-21, 21-10, 21-18. Coming back from 8-3 down, the Chinese forced Kunlavut's return to go out of bounds to take his long-awaited first major title.

Shi greets spectators in tears after the final. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

"Every match at this World Championships was tough. In the final, I gave it 120 percent - I adopted a very positive mindset, focusing solely on winning, and not dwelling on the possibility of losing. It paid off with my first world championships gold medal," Shi said after the match.

In the women's doubles final, Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning of China and Malaysia's Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan showcased high-quality offense and defense in a highly competitive match, before Liu and Tan prevailed 21-14, 20-22, 21-17 to clinch their first-ever world championships title.

Gold medalists Liu Shengshu (top L) and Tan Ning (below C) of China, silver medalists Pearly Tan(below L) and Thinaah Muralitharan (middle L) of Malaysia, and bronze medalists Rin Iwanaga (middle C) and Kie Nakanishi (top C), and Nami Matsuyama (top R) and Chiharu Shida of Japan pose for photos during the women's doubles award ceremony. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

"We both wanted this title so much. It ultimately came down to willpower. We prepared intensively for this event, and the win validates all our hard work," commented Liu.

In the women's singles title contention, China's Chen Yufei was affected by her ankle injury sustained in the semifinals, losing to Japan's Akane Yamaguchi 21-9, 21-13. Yamaguchi dominated with aggressive play and precision for her third world singles title after victories in 2021 and 2022.

Top-seeded pair Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae of South Korea defeated China's world championships debutants Chen Boyang and Liu Yi in straight games, 21-17, 21-12, to claim the men's doubles gold medal.

Jiang Zhenbang (L) and Wei Yaxin of China in action against Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei of Malaysia during the mixed doubles final. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

In the mixed doubles, China's Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin fell 21-15, 21-14 to Malaysia's Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, whose victory marked Malaysia's first-ever world championships gold in the event. ■