Tokyo: France’s Christo Popov completed an outstanding week by winning the Japan Open men’s singles title, while Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri ended a year-long championship drought in men’s doubles.
Popov defeated Japan’s Koki Watanabe in straight games in the men’s singles final. Fajar and Fikri then delivered a composed performance to overcome South Korea’s world No. 1 pair Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae.
The two results headlined the final day of the BWF World Tour Super 750 badminton tournament in Tokyo.
Christo Popov Defeats Koki Watanabe in Men’s Singles Final
World No. 5 Christo Popov captured the men’s singles title after defeating home favorite Koki Watanabe 21-11, 21-19.
Watch highlights of Christo Popov vs. Koki Watanabe in the men’s singles final:
The French player controlled the opening game from the start, applying steady pressure and preventing Watanabe from finding a comfortable rhythm. Popov’s pace and court coverage helped him build an early advantage before he closed out the game 21-11.
Watanabe produced a much stronger response in the second game. Backed by the home crowd, the Japanese player stayed close throughout the contest and forced Popov to work harder for every point.
Popov remained calm during the closing rallies and completed the victory 21-19, securing the Japan Open championship without needing a deciding game.
- Category: Men’s singles
- Champion: Christo Popov of France
- Runner-up: Koki Watanabe of Japan
- Final score: 21-11, 21-19
- Head-to-head record: Popov leads Watanabe 4-1
Popov Completes Impressive Japan Open Run
Popov’s title was built on a series of strong performances against difficult opposition.
In the quarterfinals, the French fifth seed produced one of the biggest results of the tournament by coming from behind to eliminate China’s top seed Shi Yu Qi 14-21, 21-10, 21-11.
He followed that victory by defeating Japan’s Kodai Naraoka 21-14, 21-11 in the semifinals, preventing the host nation from securing an all-Japanese men’s singles final.
Popov then defeated another Japanese player in the championship match, showing the consistency and composure required to win a major BWF World Tour title.
His victory also continued France’s recent success in Tokyo. Popov became another French men’s singles champion at the Japan Open after Alex Lanier won the tournament in 2024.
Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Shohibul Fikri End Year-Long Title Drought
In men’s doubles, Indonesia’s second seeds Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri defeated South Korea’s top seeds Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae 21-19, 21-17.
The Indonesians entered the final facing the world No. 1 pair and one of the strongest men’s doubles combinations of the season. However, Fajar and Fikri refused to allow the Koreans to dominate the fast exchanges.
The opening game remained close, with neither pair able to establish a commanding advantage. Fajar and Fikri played the closing points with greater control and secured the game 21-19.
Kim and Seo attempted to increase the pressure in the second game, but the Indonesians maintained their attacking structure and stayed composed during the important rallies.
Fajar and Fikri eventually closed out the match 21-17 to win their second BWF World Tour title as a partnership.
- Category: Men’s doubles
- Champions: Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri of Indonesia
- Runners-up: Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae of South Korea
- Seeds: Fajar-Fikri were seeded second; Kim-Seo were the top seeds
- Final score: 21-19, 21-17
Indonesian Pair Finally Convert Another Final Into a Title
Fajar and Fikri made an immediate impact when they formed their partnership in July last year.
They won the China Open Super 1000 title in their first tournament together, defeating several established combinations during their unexpected championship run.
Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae were also among the opponents they eliminated on the way to that first title.
However, the Indonesians then went through a frustrating period without another championship. They reached five finals during the following year but repeatedly finished as runners-up.
Their Japan Open success finally ended that drought and rewarded the pair for their consistency throughout the past 12 months.
The victory also stopped a three-match losing streak against Kim and Seo, giving Fajar and Fikri another important win over the Korean world No. 1 pair.
Fajar-Fikri Head to China Open as Defending Champions
Fajar and Fikri will have little time to celebrate before turning their attention to the China Open in Changzhou.
The Indonesians will arrive at the Super 1000 tournament as defending champions, carrying renewed confidence from their victory in Tokyo.
Winning the Japan Open could be particularly important for the pair after several near misses in previous finals. Their ability to defeat the top-ranked Koreans in straight games showed they remain capable of competing with the best men’s doubles partnerships in badminton.
Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae Miss Fourth Title of the Season
For Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae, the defeat ended their attempt to capture a fourth major title of the season.
The Korean pair had previously won the Malaysia Open, the All England Open and the Badminton Asia Championships.
They reached another final in Tokyo after defeating Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani in the semifinals, but were unable to reproduce their best level against Fajar and Fikri.
The loss does not remove their status as one of the leading men’s doubles pairs in the world, but recent results suggest the gap between the Koreans and their main challengers is narrowing.
Teams such as Fajar-Fikri and Sze Fei-Izzuddin have shown they can disrupt Kim and Seo’s preferred attacking rhythm when they control the service situations and remain disciplined during the flat exchanges.
France and Indonesia Celebrate Major Japan Open Victories
Christo Popov and Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Shohibul Fikri produced two of the most important performances on Japan Open finals day.
Popov defeated Koki Watanabe in front of the Japanese player’s home crowd to complete a title run that also included victories over Shi Yu Qi and Kodai Naraoka.
Fajar and Fikri, meanwhile, ended a year without a championship by overcoming the world’s top-ranked men’s doubles pair.
Both victories delivered significant badminton news ahead of the next major tournament in China. Popov has strengthened his position among the leading men’s singles players, while Fajar and Fikri will begin their China Open title defense with momentum and confidence.
