Paris – China’s World No. 1 Shi Yu Qi is back in the spotlight after a thrilling semifinal victory over Canadian underdog c, securing his place in the 2025 Badminton World Championships men’s singles final, seven years after his last appearance in 2018.
Shi overcame a strong start from Lai, who stunned the crowd by taking the first game 21-13. But the top seed kept his composure and clawed back with 22-20 and 21-16 wins in the next two games, wrapping up a gritty comeback in Paris.
Watch Highlights of Shi Yuqi vs. Victor Lai in the 2025 World Championships semis:
This marks Shi’s first return to the final since 2018, where he finished runner-up to Japan’s Kento Momota. Now, he has a shot at rewriting that history.
In the championship match, Shi will face Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn, who defeated Denmark’s Anders Antonsen 21-17, 21-15 in the other semifinal. Vitidsarn, the reigning champion, is aiming to defend his title, while Shi seeks his first gold after years of chasing.
In men’s doubles, Korea’s KIM Won Ho/SEO Seung Jae powered into the finals by beating Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen of Denmark with a dominating 21-12, 21-13 win. The Korean pair now awaits Chen Bo Yang/Liu Yi of China after the Chinese pair defeated Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty of India 21-19, 18-21, 21-12.
As the final day approaches, all eyes are on Shi Yu Qi and Kunlavut Vitidsarn in what promises to be one of the most exciting badminton finals in recent memory.
