Badminton: historic feat of Christo Popov, first French winner of the World Tour Finals

It’s historic! For his first appearance at the BWF World Tour Finals, which can be compared to the tennis Masters since they bring together the eight best players in the world, Christo Popov defeated world number 1 and world champion Shi Yu Qi in the final in straight sets (21-19, 21-9) this Sunday.

He thus becomes the first Frenchman to win this prestigious title, moreover “away” since the tournament took place in Hangzhou, China.

Undefeated before the final with three victories in the group stage against world numbers 2, 3 and 5 and a convincing success in the semi-finals against the Japanese Kodai Naraoka (21-19, 21-8), the player from Fos-sur-Mer (n°8) entered his final well by winning the first round with some high-flying shots.

The Frenchman had gleaned the first three points before being joined by the Chinese then winning the first set while they were neck and neck (21-19).

In the second round, the Frenchman, on fire, even delighted the Chinese public with a magnificent point won at the net to take the lead (12-8), before finishing alone (21-9). He could then raise two fingers to the sky and then hold his head with both hands. At 23, he won the first big title of his young career.