An Se-young matches calendar-year title mark in Hangzhou

SOUTH KOREA’S An Se-young secured a record-tying 11th title this season after triumphing at the badminton World Tour Finals on Sunday. 

The reigning 2024 Olympic champion defeated China’s world number two Wang Zhiyi 21-13, 18-21, 21-10, drawing level with Japanese men’s singles star Kento Momota’s 2019 milestone. An battled through a demanding 96-minute contest, visibly limping between rallies with what looked like a left knee issue, yet still fought her way past the defending champion to claim victory. 

“Winning my 11th title, I feel really happy and that it’s really something for me to be proud of,” the 23-year-old said. 

The Badminton World Federation also reported that An became the first player to earn more than $1 million in prize money within a single year.  She collected the $240,000 champion’s cheque, on top of the $763,000 she had already taken home this season. 

Christo Popov wrote his name into the record books as just the third European — and the first from France — to lift the season-ending title. He beat China’s world champion Shi Yuqi 21-19, 21-9 in the men’s singles final. 

On his path to the title, Popov eliminated Olympic silver medallist Kunlavut Vitidsarn and world number three Anders Antonsen. 

“It was an amazing week,” Popov said. 

Shi seemed hampered by a foot problem throughout the match and faded quickly after a closely fought opening game. 

South Korea added to their success in the doubles, with women’s pair Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee overcoming Japan’s Mayu Matsumoto and Yuki Fukushima. In the men’s doubles, world champions Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae defeated China’s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang.

The home crowd cheered earlier when Chinese mixed doubles pair Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping overcame compatriots Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin.