Hangzhou, December 15 — The Badminton World Federation (BWF) officially announced its 2025 annual award winners on Sunday in Hangzhou, with China’s Shi Yuqi and South Korea’s An Se Young emerging as the standout stars of the season.
Both players were named Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles Players of the Year, respectively, and also captured the prestigious Players’ Player of the Year awards in their categories—honors voted on by fellow athletes on the international circuit.
Shi Yuqi, the reigning world No. 1, capped off a landmark year by claiming his first career BWF World Championships men’s singles title. The Chinese ace also played a pivotal role in helping China secure a fourth consecutive Sudirman Cup title, further underlining his importance to the national team.
Watch the full awards ceremony here:
In women’s singles, An Se Young continued her dominance on the world stage with another season defined by consistency, resilience, and tactical excellence. The Korean star’s performances throughout the year earned widespread respect from fans and players alike, making her a unanimous choice for both BWF and player-voted honors.
China also celebrated success in women’s doubles, as Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning were named BWF Women’s Doubles Pair of the Year. The young duo, both born in the 2000s, currently sit atop the world rankings after winning World Championships and Asian Championships titles, while also contributing to China’s Sudirman Cup triumph.
In para badminton, Malaysia’s Cheah Liek Hou took home Para Badminton Male Player of the Year and also secured Para Badminton Pair of the Year alongside Fareez Anuar, highlighting Malaysia’s growing impact in the discipline.
Another notable recognition went to 20-year-old Victor Lai, who made history earlier this year as the first Canadian to win a medal at the BWF World Championships. Lai was named the recipient of the Eddy Choong Rising Star of the Year Award.
Additional awards included:
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Men’s Doubles Pair of the Year: Kim Won Ho / Seo Seung Jae (South Korea)
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Mixed Doubles Pair of the Year: Dechapol Puavaranukroh / Supissara Paewsampran (Thailand)
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Best Dressed: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy (India) and Putri Kusuma Wardani (Indonesia)
Attention now turns to the 2025 BWF World Tour Finals, set to take place in Hangzhou from December 17 to 21, with the official group draw completed on December 13.
In men’s singles, Shi Yuqi and teammate Li Shifeng have been drawn into Group B, while Wang Zhiyi and Han Yue headline Group B in women’s singles. In doubles action, Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang will compete in men’s doubles Group B, while women’s doubles sees Jia Yifan/Zhang Shuxian in Group A and Liu Shengshu/Tan Ning in Group B. China’s mixed doubles pairs Jiang Zhenbang/Wei Yaxin and Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping have been placed in separate groups.
As the season reaches its finale, the BWF awards serve as a powerful reflection of a year defined by elite performances and unforgettable moments in international badminton.
