PETALING JAYA: Expect China’s Shi Yuqi (pic) to roar the loudest at home in the World Tour Finals starting today.
The 28-year-old Yuqi is all motivated after winning the Badminton World Federation (BWF) men’s singles Player of the Year award during the Finals gala dinner on Monday night.
Yuqi came out tops in a strong field, which included Denmark’s two-time Olympic Games champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark, his compatriot Anders Antonsen and Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen.
The acknowledgement however, did not come as a surprise as Yuqi, who had ended Viktor Axelsen of Dennmark long reign as the world No.1 men singles player in June, had made 2024 his own by winning titles in India, France, Singapore and Indonesia.
In fact, as the first singles player, he did not drop any matches en route to leading China to the Thomas Cup victory this year.
The only setback is his shock loss in the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games in Paris but he is determined to make it up by ending the season in style at the Finals.
“I feel good because this is recognition for my year’s worth of hard work,” said Yuqi.
“I was more spirited this year and performed better, especially in team events. I was determined (to do well) and I achieved good results.”
In the Finals today, Yuqi will take on Jonatan Christie of Indonesia in his Group B opening match while the other match-up will be between Kodai Naraoka of Japan and Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand.
In Group A, Lee Zii Jia will face Chou Tien-chen of Taiwan today while the other match in his group will be between Antonsen and Li Shifeng of China.
Meanwhile, Axelsen, who withdrew from the Finals due to a foot injury, was not left disappointed during the gala night as he won the players’ choice as the player of the year.
Said Axelsen in his IG post: “Thank you to all my fantastic colleagues for voting for me. It means a lot winning this award.”
“For all of you taking part in the Finals this week – all the best!. And see you in the New Year.”
Viktor, who has great support from his peers for speaking up for the right of the players, will make his return at the Malaysian Open from Jan 7-12 in Bukit Jalil.
