An Se-young wins her 11th title of the year, tying a record, while Christo Popov becomes first French winner at Badminton World Tour Finals.

December 21, South Korea’s An Se-young won the badminton World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, securing her record-tying 11th victory of the year.

The 2024 Olympic winner tied the record set by Japan’s Kento Momota in 2019 for the most titles in a calendar year after defeating China’s Wang Zhiyi, ranked second in the world, 21-13, 18-21, and 21-10.

An, the top-ranked player in the world, defeated Wang, the reigning champion, despite finishing the taxing 96-minute match hobbling due to an apparent left-knee issue.

“I feel really happy and proud of this achievement, winning my 11th title,” the 23-year-old remarked following her victory. “I’ll take pleasure in today’s victory.”

In addition to earning $763,000 this season, An received the $240,000 winner’s check, making her the first badminton player to earn over $1 million in prize money in a single year, according to the Badminton World Federation.

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Christo Popov defeated China’s world champion Shi Yuqi 21-19, 21-9 to become the third European and the first Frenchman to win the season-ending tournament.

After a close first game, Shi gave up due to a foot issue.

Popov, an underdog who had not won a tour title all year, defeated world number three Anders Antonsen and Olympic silver medallist Kunlavut Vitidsarn to win the title.

“It was an incredible week,” Popov remarked. “I’m thrilled to have won France’s first title, and I hope to win many more in the future.”

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In doubles, South Korea had more success when the women’s team of Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee defeated Mayu Matsumoto and Yuki Fukushima of Japan 21-17, 21-11.

In the men’s doubles, world champions Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae defeated Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang of China 21-18, 21-14.

Earlier in the day, the home crowd had cause for celebration when the mixed doubles team of Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping defeated their countrymen Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin 21-12, 21-17.