- At only 23 years old, Frenchman Christo Popov has just won the prestigious “World Tour Finals” in men’s singles.
- Never has a tricolor emerged victorious from this competition.
- Here is the essential thing to know about this talented left-hander.
Christo Popov made French badminton history on Sunday, becoming at the age of 23 the first tricolor to win the World Tour Finals. Contested in China, one of the leading nations in the discipline, this competition brought together the eight best players of the year 2025. The resident of the Fos-sur-Mer club scored five victories against the world’s top 10, ending his dream week with a success in two sets against the reigning world champion and world number one, Shi Yu Qi. This extraordinary performance symbolizes the rise of French badminton on the international scene, with the Popov family as the driving force.
1 – The success of an entire family
Throughout the year, Christo can count on the presence at his side of his father Toma, former Bulgarian champion. It is he who coaches the young man on a daily basis and accompanies him throughout the world during competitions. Trips to Thailand, South Korea or Indonesia in which Toma Jr, Christo’s eldest, also takes part. This tall, 27-year-old, 1.96 meter tall man is not just a simple training partner: he is also a practicing professional and is in the top 15 in the world.
Between them, the brothers of “Team Popov” have 4 French championship titles in men’s singles, but also 4 medals at the European Championships. Victories behind which their little cousin Maria is also running: at only 12 years old, she is still far from the pro circuit among adults, but is approaching the French top 200, displaying a precocity rarely observed in France.
2 – Almost as strong in doubles as in singles
Christo Popov won a prestigious title in China – and the $240,000 that goes with it – by winning the men’s singles category. However, he is not limited to this table when he participates in international tournaments. With his brother Toma Jr, the speedy left-hander forms a doubles pair which continues to progress in the world hierarchy. The duo recently entered the top 20, achieving the feat of becoming European champions a few months ago. It was an unprecedented coronation for French badistas, in a sport traditionally dominated in Europe by the Danes.
The symbol of a golden generation
Victorious in the World Tour Finals, Christo Popov will be able to take a few weeks of vacation before returning to the international circuit. Competitions which have seen the French occupy the leading roles for several years. While Brice Leverdez has long been the only French member of the top 30 in men’s singles, there are now three “Frenchies” among the 15 best badistas on the planet. 2025 French and European champion, Alex Lanier is indeed another immense hope. At the age of 20, he experienced a meteoric rise, winning several prestigious victories including a match in October against the reigning double Olympic champion.
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This generation of talented athletes is completed by a duo who shine in mixed doubles. Delphine Delrue and Thom Gicquel also competed in the “Finals” in China in recent days and have been competing with the best Asian pairs for several years already. Last August in Paris, their bronze medal at the world championships symbolized the major progress made by French badminton.
