On August 31, the finals of the 2025 World Badminton Championships took place. In the four events held so far, the Chinese team has won two gold medals in men’s singles and women’s doubles. 29-year-old Shi Yuqi claimed his first world championship title, while the “post-00s” pair Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning won the women’s doubles crown.

In the men’s singles final, Shi Yuqi fought hard through three games, defeating the defending champion and Thai star Kunlavut Vitidsarn 19-21, 21-10, 21-18 to finally win the world championship.

In the women’s doubles final, the top-seeded pair of 21-year-old Liu Shengshu and 22-year-old Tan Ning faced off against the second seeds, the Malaysian pair of Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan. The Chinese pair had won 9 of their previous 12 encounters. Both sides started with sharp attacks, but the “Sacred Altar” combination showed resilient defense and more refined coordination in the mid-court, taking the first game 21-14. Leading 14-12 in the second game, the Chinese pair made consecutive errors, allowing their opponents to score 7 points in a row and lose the game 20-22. In the deciding game, both pairs gave their all, displaying high-level offense and defense, with thrilling rallies drawing cheers from the audience. Ultimately, the young “Sacred Altar” pair demonstrated strong mental toughness, staying firm at critical moments to win 21-17 and claim their first world championship title. They are also the first “post-00s” players from the Chinese national team to win a world championship.

“By the end, everyone really wanted this championship, and we fought for it with sheer willpower. We prepared a lot for this tournament, and winning this title is a recognition of our training during this period. There are more competitions ahead for us,” said Liu Shengshu.

The women’s singles final featured China’s Chen Yufei against Japanese star Akane Yamaguchi. Yamaguchi launched her characteristic strong attacks and used wide-angle returns to move Chen around the court. Chen, clearly affected by an ankle sprain from the previous day, was slower than usual and could only watch as some well-placed shots landed out of reach. Yamaguchi won 21-9, 21-13, claiming her third world championship title after previous wins in 2021 and 2022.

Chen Yufei fell short in her bid for the world championship once again, earning her second silver medal; the last time she lost in the final was also to Yamaguchi. After the match, Chen said, “Last night I tried various treatments, and right before taking the court I had taken eight painkillers. They helped a bit, but it still hurt when I had to move a lot. I insisted on playing this final out of respect for myself and for my opponent. I felt that as long as I could walk and stand on the court, I should give it a try.”

Jiang Zhenbang (left) and Wei Yaxin during their match on August 31.

In the mixed doubles final, China’s Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin faced the Malaysian pair of Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei. The Malaysian duo started with a targeted strategy, consistently serving to the Chinese female player’s backcourt while aggressively attacking the mid-court. Losing their advantage in the mid-court, the Chinese pair struggled to find an effective counter and ultimately lost 15-21, 14-21. Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei won Malaysia’s first ever world championship gold in mixed doubles.

As of the time of reporting, the men’s doubles match is still underway, with

World Badminton Championships

The World Badminton Championships is the most prestigious tournament in the sport of badminton, first held in 1977 to crown world champions. Organized by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), it has since become an annual event where elite players from across the globe compete for the title in five different disciplines.

Sacred Altar

The Sacred Altar, often referred to as the Temple of Heaven’s Altar of Prayer for Good Harvests, is a central structure within Beijing’s Temple of Heaven complex. Constructed in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty, it was the site where emperors performed solemn rites to pray for abundant harvests. Its unique circular design and intricate wooden architecture reflect ancient Chinese cosmological beliefs about heaven and earth.

men’s singles

“Men’s singles” is not a place or cultural site, but a competitive category in individual sports like tennis or badminton. It refers to a match format where two individual male athletes compete against one another. This format has been a core part of these sports since their modern codification in the 19th century.

women’s doubles

“Women’s doubles” is a category in racket sports, most notably in tennis and badminton, where two female players form a team to compete against another pair. The discipline has a long history, with formal competitions in events like Wimbledon dating back to the late 19th century. It has since become a staple of major international tournaments, celebrating teamwork, strategy, and athleticism.

women’s singles

“Women’s singles” is a competitive category in sports, most notably in tennis and badminton, where individual female athletes compete against one another. This format has a long history, with the first recognized women’s singles tennis championship held at Wimbledon in 1884. It represents a significant aspect of women’s sports, showcasing athletic excellence and competition.

mixed doubles

“Mixed doubles” is a format in racket sports, most notably in tennis and badminton, where teams consist of one male and one female player. The format was introduced to make the sports more inclusive and social, with its history in tennis dating back to the late 19th century. It remains a popular and entertaining event in major tournaments like Wimbledon and the Olympics.

men’s doubles

“Men’s doubles” is a format in racket sports like tennis and badminton, where two male players form a team to compete against another pair. This format has been a core part of major tournaments since their inception in the late 19th century, with its history deeply intertwined with the development of these sports themselves.