Hangzhou: In the chronicles of the BWF year-end finals (formerly denoted as BWF Super Series Finals from 2007 to 2017, and presently designated as BWF World Tour Finals from 2018 onward), Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei stands alone as the sole achiever of securing three consecutive men’s singles titles in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Lee, an illustrious legend in badminton, has clinched the year-end championships a total of four times (2008, 2009, 2010, 2013).
Viktor Axelsen has now replicated this historic feat, solidifying his status as the second individual to win three consecutive BWF year-end titles (2021, 2022, 2023). Additionally, Axelsen secured the championship in 2016 and 2017, elevating his career total to five triumphs in the year-end finals.
Highlights of Viktor Axelsen vs. Shi Yuqi in the final of the 2023 BWF World Tour Finals:
This achievement positions Axelsen as the most distinguished men’s singles player in the BWF year-end event, surpassing Lee Chong Wei’s four titles.
On Sunday, Axelsen orchestrated a triumphant comeback, avenging his group stage loss to Shi Yuqi and securing a convincing victory over the 2018 champion with scores of 21-11, 21-12. Both contenders had emerged as the champion and runner-up in the men’s singles Group A, where Shi claimed a victory over Axelsen on Wednesday with scores of 21-19, 21-19.
In men’s doubles, South Korea’s reigning world champions, Kang Min Hyuk/Seo Seung Jae, prevailed over China’s world No. 1 Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang with a score of 21-17, 22-20. This victory marked a redemption for their earlier defeat to the Chinese pair at this year’s India Open.
Kang/Seo achieved a historic feat as the first Korean men’s doubles team to clinch the year-end title since Lee Yong Dae/Yeon-seong’s triumph at the Super Series Finals in 2014.
