PETALING JAYA: Back in 2017, Christo Popov was just another teenager honing his craft at Stadium Juara in Bukit Kiara, alongside Malaysia’s Leong Jun Hao and Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin during a joint training stint.
The French junior was among several players preparing for the World Junior Championships, learning and growing on Malaysian soil.
At the time, the gap between the two sides was clear, with Jun Hao beating Christo in the quarter-finals en route to finishing as the runners-up in Yogyakarta.
Nine years on, their paths could not be more different at the Thomas Cup Finals in Horsens, Denmark.
Popov has since spearheaded France’s historic run to the semi-finals, following a stunning 3-0 win over Japan on Friday, while Jun Hao went down to Shi Yuqi as Malaysia exited with a 0-3 defeat.
The 24-year-old Christo struck first for France with a 21-17, 21-17 win over Kodai Naraoka.
Alex Lanier then beat Yushi Tanaka 21-15, 21-17 before Toma Junior Popov sealed the historic win by defeating Koki Watanabe 21-19, 23-21.
Even before the Thomas Cup, France had set the tone by ending Denmark’s dominance to win the European team title in February.
A key factor behind their transformation goes beyond technical training, with friendship and camaraderie driving their performances in Horsens.
“The secret of this team is our friendship and our ability to play together. We’ve known each other since we were kids,” said the 27-year-old Toma Junior.
“We cheer each other like crazy in the stands and push each other. We have incredible team spirit.
“We’re always together and we tease and joke around. That’s what makes us strong.”
France take on India in the semi-finals of the Thomas Cup Finals.
