Viktor Axelsen of Denmark won the men's singles title during the BWF World Tour Finals in Bangkok, Thailand, December 11, 2022. /CFP
Men's badminton world No.1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark regained his mojo to claim his eighth title for 2022, steamrolling Indonesian ace Anthony Ginting at the season-ending Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Finals in Bangkok on Sunday.
"It feels absolutely amazing," Axelsen said post-match, after dancing across the court and thanking his wife and two young daughters in the crowd.
"I couldn't have wished for a better ending (to the year)."
Akane Yamaguchi of Japan won the women's singles title at the BWF World Tour Finals in Bangkok, Thailand, December 11, 2022. /CFP
Reigning world champion Akane Yamaguchi of Japan defeated Tai Tzu-ying of Chinese Taipei to claim the women's singles crown.
"My opponent was skilled and quite strong, on the second game I was trying to do my best, using all my skills and power," Yamaguchi said post-match.
China's Ou Xuanyi (R) returns a shot next to teammate Liu Yuchen on their way to winning the men's doubles title at the BWF World Tour Finals in Bangkok, Thailand, December 11, 2022. /CFP
Chinese shuttlers won three titles in the season finale. In the men's doubles final, China's Liu Yuchen and Ou Xuanyi had the upper hand for most of their match against Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia. Liu and Ou regained their dominance to take the match 21-17, 19-21, 21-12.
"We made many unforced errors in the second set, which should not have happened. But we stuck to our game plan and tried our best in every single play. It's rewarding for us to take the match back into our hands," said Liu afterwards.
Chen Qingchen (L) and Jia Yifan of China won the women's doubles title at the BWF World Tour Finals in Bangkok, Thailand, December 11, 2022. /CFP
In the women's doubles final, China's world champions Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan encountered little challenge from Thailand's Benyapa Aimsaard and Nuntakarn Aimsaard before claiming a comfortable 21-13, 21-14 victory.
In the mixed doubles final, world champions Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong disappointed home fans by defeating Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand for a third straight end-of-season crown. Zheng and Huang won 21-19, 18-21, 21-13 to take their 10th title of the season.
"We were separated at the beginning of the year and when we regrouped later, we couldn't have anticipated we could have recovered from the slump we were in to be at where we are now," said Zheng after the match, referring to their dismal performance at the Tokyo Olympic Games and the following difficulties.
"It seems that we have returned to normal form, and we hope to be calmer to face what we encounter, no matter whether it's good or bad, so that we can work on our next target," he added.
Huang Yaqiong (L) and Zheng Siwei of China won the mixed doubles title at the BWF World Tour Finals in Bangkok, Thailand, December 11, 2022. /CFP
BWF World Tour Finals
Time: December 7-11, 2022
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Winners:
Men's singles: Viktor Axelsen of Denmark
Women's singles: Akane Yamaguchi of Japan
Men's doubles: Liu Yuchen and Ou Xuanyi of China
Women's doubles: Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan of China
Mixed doubles: Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong of China
(With input from agencies)