Badass Shi Claims First World Title, Defeating Kunlavut, While Yamaguchi Secures Women's Championship

China's Shi Yu Qi Claims Maiden World Championships Title

In a thrilling finale at the 2025 Badminton World Championships in Paris, China's Shi Yu Qi emerged victorious, defeating defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand. This marked Shi's first world championships crown, a significant addition to his already impressive career.

Shi's journey to the final was not easy. He battled through six tough matches, many of which he nearly lost but managed to turn around. His determination and focus were evident, with his mindset firmly set on winning, rather than dwelling on the outcome.

Kunlavut, on the other hand, claimed silver 12 months on from defeat in the 2024 Olympics final at the same venue. His road to the final was equally challenging, having outlasted opponents in three-game matches from the third round onwards.

The championship game was a closely contested affair. Shi stretched ahead, only for Kunlavut to surge late in the first game to seize the advantage. However, Shi's resilience shone through, and he managed to turn the tide, eventually sealing the match with a well-placed shot that left Kunlavut hitting long on match point.

Meanwhile, in the women's doubles, the top seeds from China, Tan Ning and Liu Shengshu, clinched the title. They overcame the second seeded Malaysians Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan in a hard-fought match.

Chen Yufei, an injured opponent, battled through to the final despite a nasty-looking ankle twist in the semi-final against An Se-young. However, she was unable to repeat her success from previous years, losing to Japan's Akane Yamaguchi for the second time. Yamaguchi, who was the fifth seed, added to her gold medals from 2021 and 2022 with this third world title.

The mixed doubles final was won by Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, the fourth seeds from Malaysia. In the men's doubles, the first seeds from South Korea, Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae, took the crown.

Shi's victory in Paris adds to two other Super 1000 triumphs this season, further cementing his status as a formidable player in the world of badminton. His win also marked a significant milestone, as it was his only medal in a world championships or Olympic Games, breaking his previous 'hoodoo' at these prestigious events.

The 2025 Badminton World Championships was a testament to the skill, determination, and resilience of the players. With exciting matches and nail-biting finishes, it was a tournament that will long be remembered in the annals of badminton history.

Badass Shi Claims First World Title, Defeating Kunlavut, While Yamaguchi Secures Women's Championship