China clinches mixed doubles gold as 2025 BWF World Tour Finals conclude in Hangzhou

The six-day HSBC BWF World Tour Finals came to a successful close on December 21, 2025, at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium, bringing together the world’s elite badminton players for one of the most anticipated events on the international calendar.

China secured its highlight moment in the mixed doubles final, where Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping defeated their teammates Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin in straight games, 21–12 and 21–17. The victory marked the pair’s first-ever World Tour Finals title together and held special significance for Huang Dongping, who returned to the top of the podium at the season-ending finals for the first time in seven years.

While China claimed one gold medal, the Republic of Korea emerged as the biggest winner of the tournament, capturing three titles. In women’s singles, An Se-young overcame China’s Wang Zhiyi in a hard-fought three-game final, winning 21–13, 18–21, 21–10 to secure her 11th title of the season. South Korea’s Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae continued their outstanding form by defeating China’s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang 21–18, 21–14 in the men’s doubles final, also claiming their 11th title of the year. In women’s doubles, Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee successfully defended their title with a 21–17, 21–11 victory over Japan’s Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto.

The men’s singles final witnessed the rise of a new champion, as France’s rising star Christo Popov claimed his first World Tour Finals title by defeating China’s Shi Yuqi 21–19, 21–9.

Beyond the high-level competition, the tournament’s professional organization and comprehensive services received widespread praise from participants and officials. Dr. Martin Fahlstrom of Sweden, a BWF on-court doctor with nearly 30 years of experience in international badminton events, spoke highly of the event during his stay in Hangzhou. Having served at major competitions including the Beijing Olympic Games, Dr. Fahlstrom described this as his third time working at the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou.

“Each time, the event is better organized than the last,” he said. “Everything is very professional. The technical officials, players, and coaches are all very well taken care of. The Chinese Badminton Association is highly professional, and the local organizers provide excellent facilities and services.”

Dr. Fahlstrom also noted that he will return to Hangzhou for the fourth consecutive year in 2026. “I’m very much looking forward to coming back again,” he said, adding that China has succeeded in maintaining badminton at an exceptionally high level, supported by a deep pool of talented players. He highlighted China’s strength in mixed doubles in particular and expressed strong admiration for Shi Yuqi’s performances in men’s singles.

Fans from around the world also shared their impressions of the tournament and the host city. Inna Obukhova, a badminton enthusiast from Saint Petersburg, Russia, traveled to Hangzhou with a group of fellow fans specifically to watch the finals. Having first visited China in 1994, she said she has personally witnessed the country’s remarkable transformation over the past three decades.

“In Hangzhou, I noticed how well-developed the sports facilities are,” Obukhova said. “There are so many badminton courts, and that is one of the reasons why China can produce so many top-level players.” She expressed admiration for the Chinese government’s investment in public sports infrastructure and emphasized the importance of accessible facilities in fostering sporting excellence.

With the help of local Chinese friends, Obukhova and her group were able to secure tickets for the finals, leaving them deeply impressed by the electric atmosphere in the arena and the enthusiasm of Chinese fans. When asked about her favorite players, she spoke highly of Shi Yuqi and Li Shifeng, describing them as outstanding athletes.

As the 2025 BWF World Tour Finals draw to a close, Hangzhou once again demonstrated not only its ability to host world-class sporting events, but also the depth of its badminton culture—uniting elite competition, professional organization, and passionate global audiences on one stage.

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