The pride of Thailand’s badminton village, badminton player Kunrabut Vitidarn – Photo: NST
In the world of badminton, the BWF World Tour Finals (starting in 2018) boasts a prestige equal to that of the Olympics, and is called the ‘Final of the Year’, the most prestigious title of the year pursued by the world’s best players.
As every year, the 2025 World Tour Finals will feature the top eight players/doubles teams from five divisions: Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles. Last weekend, the BWF ranked the top 64 players in these five divisions, of which 16 are singles players and 48 are doubles players.
Of note is the coverage of the Southeast Asian countries of Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
In the men’s singles category, Thailand has Khunrabut Vitidarn, currently ranked third in the world and the first men’s singles player to qualify for the 2025 World Tour Finals.
In the women’s singles category, Thailand has two players: Pornpawi Chochuwong and Ratchanok Inthanon.
In the mixed doubles event, the pair of Dechapol Puavaranukro and Sufisara Paeusampran took part. As a result, Thailand has a total of 5 players participating in the World Tour Finals, competing in 3 events.
Malaysia’s mighty chia-ik – Photo: STADIUM ASTRO
However, among the three badminton powerhouses in Southeast Asia, Thailand is the country that sends the fewest players. Malaysia will send 10 players and Indonesia will send 8 players.
The only country with a higher level of “coverage” than Malaysia is China (14 people). Malaysia has no representative players in singles events, but five teams are participating in three doubles events.
Among them, the pair of Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (men’s doubles) and Pearly Tan-Muralitharan (women’s doubles) is expected to be the favorite to win.
Putra Wardani’s play just got better and better. – Photo: BWF
With eight players, Indonesia is the Southeast Asian country with the most even playing field at the World Tour Finals across four events (excluding women’s doubles).
In the men’s singles category, Indonesia has Jonatan Christie, currently ranked fourth in the world, and in the women’s singles category, they have an explosive young player, Putri Kusuma Wardani.
Wardani has never won a SEA Games medal in his career, but exploded in form in 2025, winning a world bronze medal and reaching the finals of two other major tournaments.
Vietnamese fans can’t help but feel sad as they see their neighboring countries ‘aggressively’ advancing to this year’s finals with the goal of winning in many events.
Compared to Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, Vietnam’s badminton skills are in no way inferior. However, when comparing the level and depth, Vietnam’s badminton village cannot be compared to neighboring countries.
this year BWF World Tour Finals It will be held in Hangzhou, China from December 17th to 21st. Additionally, this marks the third consecutive year that the finals of the World Badminton Championships will be held in the city.
This year’s prize money is also the highest ever, with the total prize money reaching up to $3 million, more than $500,000 more than last year’s prize money.
In each event, eight players or pairs of players will be divided into two groups and play a round-robin format to select four teams that will advance to the semi-finals.
In the past, Thailand has won twice and Indonesia once at this prestigious venue.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dong-nam-a-phu-song-chung-ket-cau-long-the-gioi-nguoi-viet-chanh-long-20251123220823912.htm
