The 2024 BWF World Tour Finals wrapped up on December 15 at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium, showcasing thrilling badminton competitions across multiple categories, with standout performances from both local and international players. The event concluded with Shi Yuqi claiming the men's singles title, Wang Zhiyi securing victory in the women’s singles match, and exciting finishes seen across all doubles disciplines.
Men's world number one Shi Yuqi dominated the men's singles final, defeating Denmark's Anders Antonsen with scores of 21-18, 21-14. This win marked the Nantong-native's second World Tour Finals crown, having previously won the title six years ago. Among the highlights of the match was Shi’s ability to leverage his powerful smashes, particularly during longer rallies, which proved to be decisive against his Danish opponent. Shi's triumph not only adds to his impressive resume but also counters Denmark’s recent dominance at the tournament, which featured three consecutive titles from compatriot Viktor Axelsen.
On the women's side, Wang Zhiyi faced compatriot Han Yue for the title. Wang initially fell behind after losing the opening game, but she rallied back impressively to win the title 19-21, 21-19, 21-11, showcasing her resilience and skill. This victory also marks Wang's first World Tour Finals title, adding to her accolades this year, including her recent success at the Asian Championships where she vanquished Olympic gold-medalist Chen Yufei.
Mixed doubles also saw Chinese pairs dominating, with Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong defeating Malaysia's Cheng Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei in three sets, with the final scores reading 21-18, 14-21, 21-17. For Zheng, it was particularly meaningful as he announced his retirement earlier, seeking to spend more time with family, ending his career on such a high note.
Men's doubles action featured heart-stopping encounters, where Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani purchased Malaysia's bid to capture the title. After their hard-fought clash against Denmark’s Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, they emerged as the runners-up, with scores of 17-21, 21-17, 11-21. The Malaysian pair displayed remarkable fortitude, being the first men's doubles team from Malaysia to reach the finals since the tournament's inception, drawing admiration from the badminton community. “Their qualification for the final alone was a remarkable achievement,” said representatives from the Malaysian Badminton Association, underscoring the significance of their accomplishment.
Despite their loss, Goh and Nur Izzuddin took home US$ 100,000 (approximately RM 443,000) for their efforts, symbolizing not only their individual triumph but also igniting hope for Malaysia’s future prospects on the badminton world stage. Their performance throughout the tournament has solidified their status as formidable competitors among the world’s elite players.
Pursuing the women’s doubles title, Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee from South Korea defeated Japan's Matsuyama Nami and Shida Chiharu with scores of 21-19, 21-14, sealing the championship decisively. Lee made history by being the first player to win women's doubles titles with different partners, having previously triumphed with Shin Seung-chan during the 2020 tournament.
Overall, the tournament highlighted intense rivalries and showcased the potential of burgeoning talents, particularly from the host nation and Southeast Asia. Wang Zhiyi capped off her breakthrough year with this first World Tour Finals title, having previously risen to prominence within the badminton community by overcoming significant contenders throughout the season.
With the finals concluded, players will now look to 2025, where they hope to build on their experiences and achievements this year, aiming higher within the ranks of international badminton. The contributions of shuttlers like Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin inspire younger athletes and affirm Malaysia and China’s dedication to fostering badminton talent. The excitement and fervor witnessed at this year's BWF World Tour Finals set high expectations for the future of the sport.