BWF World Championships 2025: Shi Yuqi holds off spirited Kunlavut Vitidsarn for maiden singles crown

Shi Yuki

The world number one came back from one game down to beat the defending champion at the badminton world championships in Paris on Sunday (31 August).

Shi Yuqi of the People's Republic of China overcame a spirited Kunlavut Vitidsarn 19-21, 21-10, 21-18 in an absorbing men’s singles final at the BWF World Championships in Paris on Sunday (31 August).

The world number one showed nerves of steel to fend off the challenge from defending champion Vitidsarn, playing in his third consecutive final.

The 29-year-old Shi exacted revenge upon Vitidsarn, who knocked him out in the last eight at Paris 2024 and went on to win the Olympic silver medal.

Vitidsarn’s dogged determination was on full display in the opening game as he erased a seven-point deficit to go one up.

Shi who had saved two matchpoints in his semi-final winover unseeded Canadian Victor Lai, showed all the initiative in the opening salvos, and he was richly rewarded as he maintained a three-point lead over the Olympic silver medallist.

At the break, Shi had a handy 11-7 lead before he extended his advantage to seven points for a commanding hold on the game.

Vitidsarn then launched a devastating comeback by winning seven straight points to level the scores at 18-all.

He finally got his nose in front at 19-20 before landing the decisive blow to take the first game and leave Shi frustrated with nothing to show for his efforts.

Vitidsarn made a promising start to the second game with a two-point lead before Shi roared back with six straight points.