South Korea’s An Se-young and France’s Christo Popov triumphed at badminton’s year-end BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou on Sunday as hosts China suffered dual disappointment.
In the women’s final, An defeated China’s defending champion Wang Zhiyi to claim her 11th singles title of the year, equalling the record of Kento Momota of Japan.
Olympic champion An had to overcome cramp in the final game of a marathon match lasting 96 minutes, before wrapping up a 21-13, 18-21, 21-10 victory.
“It seems that by the final moments, my energy had completely run out, which is why the cramp occurred,” An said.
Popov achieved a historic breakthrough in the men’s final as he too beat the Chinese contender, stunning world champion Shi Yuqi 21-19, 21-9.
That made Popov the first French player to win the season-ending title.
Popov’s aggressive play neutralised Shi, who appeared hampered physically.
