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France 24
3 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
New world no. 1 Kunlavut seals Singapore crown in style
The 24-year-old demolished China's unseeded Lu Guangzu 21-6, 21-10 in just 37 minutes with his range of powerful smashes and deceptive drop shots. Paris Olympics silver medallist Kunlavut will replace another Chinese player, Shi Yuqi, as world number one in a landmark for Thai badminton. It was his fourth title this season. "There will be pressure to be the best player in the world, but it's going to be a good pressure as that will give me the added motivation of doing my best to win all the tournaments I take part in," said Kunlavut, who lost the Paris final to Viktor Axelsen. Denmark's two-time Olympic champion Axelsen, the former number one, is currently working his way back to fitness following surgery for a back problem. In an all-Chinese women's final at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, the fifth seed Chen Yufei outplayed second-seeded Wang Zhiyi 21-11, 21-11. Chen was runner-up to world number one An Se-young last year. Chen ended the South Korean's unbeaten run in 2025 by defeating her in the quarter-finals this year. "I'm really very happy with this win because the draw was not exactly in my favour and every match felt like a battle," said Chen. "To make it all the way to the final was honestly something unexpected.
The Star
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Li's ‘liberation' – Shifeng says his historic win feels like a good release
KUALA LUMPUR: Li Shifeng (pic) is overjoyed after becoming the first Chinese men's singles player to capture the Malaysian Masters title. World No. 4 Shifeng was in his element when he only needed 36 minutes to beat India's surprise finalist K. Srikanth 21-11, 21-9 at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil yesterday. It was a historic victory for the 25-year-old as he became the first shuttler from China to win the men's singles title since the tournament's inception in 2009. Shifeng also celebrated his first title since winning the Japan Masters last November. 'I didn't expect to be the first at this event, because I hadn't really paid attention to who won it before,' said Shifeng. 'It's a very good start for me. I have reached the semi-finals a few times last year but lost. 'And this time, to break through and win the championship, I feel it's an affirmation and encouragement for myself. 'The moment I won, I felt quite a release. Because it's indeed been a long time since I won a championship, or even reached a final. 'So, being able to win this championship, I think it's a release, a kind of liberation.'' Shifeng believes he still has some way to go before he can become one of the top players in the world and is keen to use the World Tour Super 500 title win as a springboard for success in bigger events. 'There's still a big gap with the top-tier players, and I haven't won major titles yet,' said Shifeng. 'So, I still hope that through this 500-level championship, I can further improve and strengthen myself. 'Opponents at higher-level tournaments will definitely be stronger. So, after winning this championship, it's in the past. 'I think, the next one starts again, one tournament after another, it's a new challenge. I hope I can continue to make progress,' added Shifeng. It was a great day for China when Wang Zhiyi (women's singles), Liu Shengshu-Tan Ning (women's doubles) and Feng Yanzhe-Huang Dongping (mixed doubles) also emerged victorious in all-Chinese finals. World No. 2 Zhiyi fought hard to beat world No. 3 Han Yue 13-21, 21-13, 21-18 while Shengshu-Tan Ning defeated Jia Yifan-Zhang Shuxian 21-17, 21-18. Yanzhe-Dongping also proved better on the day than Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin, coming out on top 21-17, 14-21, 21-16 in 63 minutes.
![[Watch] Battle Of Brothers: Malaysian Shuttlers Make Badminton History At PERODUA Malaysia Masters](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.therakyatpost.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F05%2FUntitled-12.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[Watch] Battle Of Brothers: Malaysian Shuttlers Make Badminton History At PERODUA Malaysia Masters](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fall-logos-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ftherakyatpost.com.png&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
Rakyat Post
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Rakyat Post
[Watch] Battle Of Brothers: Malaysian Shuttlers Make Badminton History At PERODUA Malaysia Masters
Subscribe to our FREE Underdogs Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun shocked their higher-ranked compatriots to claim the Malaysia Masters men's doubles crown. The victory marked a historic moment in a thrilling all-Malaysian showdown that had the Axiata Arena buzzing with anticipation. The final, the first all-Malaysian men's doubles clash at the Malaysia Masters since 2013, lived up to its billing as Wei Chong-Kai Wun outmuscled Olympic bronze medalists Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in a nail-biting 21-12, 15-21, 21-16 victory that had the home crowd on the edge of their seats for 50 minutes. For the eighth-ranked Wei Chong-Kai Wun, this sweet victory on home soil, worth a cool RM158,750 in prize money, adds to their growing reputation as giant-killers. Having already conquered the Indonesia Masters earlier this year, they've proven they can compete with the best, including their teammates. Sweet Victory on Home Soil 'This feels different – winning at home, in front of our own fans,' said an elated Wei Chong after ending Malaysia's 12-year wait for a home champion in this event. The last local pair to achieve this feat was Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah in 2013. The third-ranked Aaron-Wooi Yik, fresh from their Thailand Open triumph last week, seemed to run out of steam in the decisive third game. Their dreams of a hat-trick of titles (after wins in Bangkok and the Asian Championships) slipped away on home court. The victory marks Wei Chong-Kai Wun's fifth World Tour title overall, suggesting a changing of the guard might be underway in Malaysian badminton. More importantly, it gives Malaysian fans twice the reason to celebrate, regardless of the outcome. (Pix: Fernando Fong) China Rules The Finals, But Malaysian Magic Steals the Show In other finals, China dominated the singles events, with Li Shifeng making history as the first Chinese men's singles player to win the Malaysia Masters, defeating India's K. Srikanth in straight games. Meanwhile, Wang Zhiyi successfully defended her women's singles title in an all-Chinese affair against Han Yue, further cementing China's stronghold on the singles disciplines. In the women's doubles, another all-Chinese affair, Olympic gold medallist Jia Yifan and her new partner, Zhang Shu Xian, lost to compatriots Sheng Shu and Tan Ning, losing in straight sets 21-17, 21-18 Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping claimed the title in the mixed doubles category, defeating top seeds and compatriots Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin in a three-set final. But today belonged to Wei Chong-Kai Wun, who proved that in Malaysian badminton, rankings are just numbers, and on any given Sunday, magic can happen on home court. Sportsmanship shines through as Malaysian pairs exchange congratulations amidst a shower of confetti at the Malaysia Masters 2025 finals. (Pix: Fernando Fong) READ MORE : Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
Malaysia Sun
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Malaysia Sun
China caps off successful Malaysia Masters with titles in four categories
Xinhua 25 May 2025, 17:48 GMT+10 KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese shuttlers dominated the finals of the 2025 Malaysia Masters, taking titles in four categories here on Sunday. Men's singles shuttler Li Shifeng overpowered Srikanth Kidambi of India 21-11, 21-9 at the Axiata Arena. In the women's singles, Wang Zhiyi bested compatriot Han Yue 13-21, 21-13, 21-18 in a hard-fought battle lasting over an hour. The women's doubles final was an all-Chinese affair, with Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning outplaying Jia Yifan and Zhang Shuxian 21-17, 21-18. In another battle between compatriots, Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping overcame Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin 21-17, 14-21, 21-16 in the mixed doubles final.
The Star
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Naraoka out to play China spoiler again after taming Hongyang
KUALA LUMPUR: Japanese shuttler Kodai Naraoka is out to end China's title quest in the men's singles event in the Malaysian Masters today. Naraoka is plotting a win against Li Shifeng, who is China's last representative left in the meet. The 2023 World Championships silver medallist prevented an all-Chinese semi-final after beating world No. 14 Weng Hongyang 21-12, 21-19 at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil yesterday. World No. 8 Naraoka was pleased after coming out on top over the tricky Hongyang. 'Hongyang is not easy to play against, so I'm happy that I managed to beat him,' said Naraoka. 'Shifeng is also a tough opponent, so I need to prepare well to make the final.' If Naraoka manages to topple Shifeng, China's wait for a men's singles title in the competition will continue. Surprisingly, the badminton powerhouse have never had a winner in the event since the tournament's inception in 2009. Shifeng is under pressure to end the long wait in the absence of world No. 1 teammate Shi Yuqi. Based on the head-to-head records, Shifeng holds the advantage as he has beaten Naraoka five times in their past eight meetings. The latter's last win over the former came in the 2022 Korean Masters. Both Naraoka and Shifeng are eyeing a place in their first final this year.
