On August 31, 2025, Beijing time, a thrilling showdown took place in the men's singles final of the Paris World Badminton Championships. Chinese player Shi Yuqi faced off against Thailand's renowned Kunlavut. This match was not only a contest of skills but also a battle of wills. At the start, Shi Yuqi took the lead, but made consecutive errors at the crucial moments near the end of the first game, narrowly losing 19-21. Under pressure, Shi Yuqi adjusted his form in the second game and won decisively 21-10 to even the match. In the deciding game, both players fiercely competed with the score alternating. Shi Yuqi showed a more stable performance and ultimately won 21-18, claiming his first men's singles world championship title. This victory was especially precious because at last year's Paris Olympics, on the same court, Kunlavut had eliminated Shi Yuqi in the quarterfinals. This successful "revenge" witnessed Shi Yuqi's growth and transformation.

A comeback victory after a decade of waiting. Shi Yuqi defeated Thailand's Kunlavut in the men's singles final of the Paris World Championships, reclaiming a decade-lost honor for the Chinese badminton team. "Finally got my first (men's singles world championship gold). Every match in this championship was very tough; several times I was almost losing but managed to come back, so winning the championship in the end was quite difficult." After winning, Shi Yuqi covered his face and cried; this moment he had waited for ten full years. At last year's Paris Olympics, top seed Shi Yuqi was stopped in the quarterfinals. Returning to Paris a year later, he completed his self-redemption on the same court.
This is Shi Yuqi's first world championship gold medal in his career and also marks the Chinese men's singles badminton team winning the world championship again after ten years. The last time a Chinese player won the men's singles world championship was Chen Long in 2015. Shi Yuqi had previously reached the semifinals of major tournaments multiple times but always missed out on the championship. Winning the title on home ground holds extraordinary significance for him. Shi Yuqi's path to the championship was not smooth. In the semifinals, he first came from behind 2-1 to defeat Canadian newcomer Lai Haojun, reaching the world championship final again after seven years. "Every match in this championship was very tough; several times I was almost losing but managed to come back," Shi Yuqi reflected after the match. This tenacious fighting spirit is the best interpretation of sportsmanship. Kunlavut defeated Antonsen in the semifinals and has reached the men's singles final in three consecutive world championships. Facing such a strong opponent, Shi Yuqi's victory was even more hard-earned.
At 29 years old, Shi Yuqi has officially established himself as the new leading figure of China's men's singles badminton team with this world championship title. Statistics show this is Shi Yuqi's first world championship title and also his first major singles title. Before this championship, Shi Yuqi had never won a singles title at the world championships or the Olympics. After winning, Shi Yuqi posted on social media: "New champion title, keep working hard!" These brief words demonstrate his relentless pursuit of excellence. Netizens congratulated Shi Yuqi, with some saying the journey was really not easy and that Shi Yuqi finally fulfilled his dream of becoming a world champion. Others mentioned Shi Yuqi's career has been full of ups and downs, and this victory made up for the regret of last year's Paris event.

At this world championship, the Chinese badminton team performed excellently overall, winning a total of 2 golds and 3 silvers. Besides Shi Yuqi's men's singles gold, the "post-2000" duo Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning won the women's doubles title, claiming their first world championship. The rise of these two young players gives hope for the future of Chinese badminton. In the other three singles finals, Chen Yufei was affected by an ankle injury sustained in the semifinals and lost to Japan's Akane Yamaguchi in the women's singles final; in mixed doubles, Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin were defeated by the Malaysian pair Chen Tangjie and Du Yuewei; the Chinese men's doubles pair Chen Boyang and Liu Yi lost to the Korean top seeds Seo Seung-jae and Kim Won-ho, taking silver. Although they did not sweep all the gold medals, the 2 golds and 3 silvers already demonstrate the overall strength of Chinese badminton.
This victory belongs not only to Shi Yuqi personally but also to everyone who has contributed to the development of Chinese badminton. The five-star red flag once again flies atop the highest podium in the world badminton arena, officially marking the return of Chinese men's singles badminton to the world summit.

Next year will be the 2026 Thomas Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. At 28 years old, Shi Yuqi is in the prime of his career, and this world championship title may just be the beginning. The future of Chinese badminton is worth looking forward to.