The 2024 BWF World Tour Finals came to a thrilling conclusion on December 15, 2024, at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre, where China's badminton players showcased their incredible talent and determination, culminating the season with several impressive victories.
Among the highlights was the women's singles final, where Wang Zhiyi made headlines by defeating fellow Chinese player Han Yue after fighting back from a game down. Over the course of 74 intense minutes, Wang secured victory with scores of 19-21, 21-19, and 21-11.
Wang's win was particularly special, marking her first appearance at the prestigious event. “The second-game comeback gave me a big confidence boost,” Wang remarked after her victory. “I could also see my opponent was struggling physically so I focused on maintaining my game and staying determined.”
Reflecting on her year and the tournament experience, the 24-year-old expressed gratitude for the progression she has achieved, emphasizing her growth as both a competitor and representative of China. “This tournament has been a full experience for me,” she said. “From the group stage loss to the elimination matches, then to the semifinals and finals, it’s been a huge learning process for me.” Wang's celebration reverberated through the arena, marking her ascension as one of the sport's leading stars.
Meanwhile, Shi Yuqi captured the men's singles title, defeating Denmark's Anders Antonsen with commanding scores of 21-18 and 21-14. This win marked Shi's second World Tour Finals championship, the first occurring back in 2018. “Playing at home makes me very happy,” said Shi, who exuberantly paraded the venue with his trophy and threw his shirt to enthusiastic fans. “These people are very passionate and supportive.”
The finale also saw Shi besting the reigning two-time Olympic champion, Viktor Axelsen, who withdrew from the tournament due to injury. Shi took full advantage of home court distinction, exhibiting resilience under pressure throughout the match.
Adding to the Chinese dominance, the mixed doubles team of Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong successfully defended their title against Malaysia's Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, winning the match 21-18, 14-21, and 21-17. This final was particularly poignant for Zheng, who announced his retirement from the national team following the tournament. Zheng expressed, “Winning this championship was something we didn’t expect before the tournament. Our goal had simply been to stay on court as long as possible and play as many matches as we could.”
Their victory marked the culmination of seven years of partnership, and Zheng, leading the crowd's chants, showcased the emotional attachment to his time with Huang. “What we truly want the 'Ya-Si' pair to convey isn’t just about achievements, but an attitude of never giving up—whether in competition or life,” Zheng shared.
Wang Zhiyi's impressive performance and Shi Yuqi's powerful home-court presence underscored the event's significance, as the BWF World Tour Finals convened some of the finest talents from around the globe for this prestigious gathering. The competition focused on elevatory moments throughout the tournament, alongside the emotional farewells of celebrated athletes.
“We faced different opponents, and it really helped me grow as a player,” Wang acknowledged. The competition particularly served as preparation for future challenges, with Wang expressing eagerness to share the pressure with elder teammate Chen Yufei during the upcoming Surdiman Cup. “I want to help share pressure with Chen and make sure the burden doesn’t fall on her alone. We’re all in this together, and I’m excited to contribute to the team’s success,” Wang resolved.
This year’s event accentuated the wealth of talent and dedication within both the Chinese badminton team and the global scene. Shi's, Wang's, and Zheng's performances contributed to the vibrant spirit of badminton, synonymous with determination and the pursuit of greatness.
Overall, the 2024 BWF World Tour Finals provided plenty of passion-filled encounters, and as the athletes have shown, they are continually gearing up for more thrilling competitions to come.
