Chen Yufei wins maiden Badminton Asia Championships title in Ningbo

Home favorite Chen Yufei won her first Badminton Asia Championships title after coming from behind to defeat compatriot Han Yue in an all-Chinese women's singles final in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, on Sunday.

The 27-year-old Chen overcame a slow start to prevail 11-21, 21-14, 21-9 in a 66-minute thriller, marking a triumphant return to top form, following an extended hiatus after missing out on a second straight Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Summer Games.

Chen, a former World No. 1 who only returned to competition two months ago, rated her performance in this event as "8 out of 10."

"I've learned to play more relaxed and enjoy the game rather than feeling stressed," said the newly-crowned Asian champion. "There's still room for improvement as I continue regaining my best condition."

In the men's singles final, Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn beat home hope Lu Guangzu to claim the continental title.

The world champion won the first game 21-12, before the match ended with him leading the second 11-6, as Lu retired due to a back injury.

"I have won the Asian Youth Championships before, so this title means a lot to me," Vitidsarn said.

In the women's doubles final, top-seeded Chinese pair Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning clinched the trophy after crushing Japan's Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida 21-15, 21-19.

The men's doubles final saw Malaysia's Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik defeat local duo Chen Boyang and Liu Yi 21-19, 21-17 in 47 minutes, while Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet from China's Hong Kong SAR won the mixed doubles title by beating Japan's Hiroki Midorikawa and Natsu Saito.