French player Christo Popov wrote a memorable page in national badminton this Sunday by winning at the BWF World Tour Finals 2025, the end-of-season tournament bringing together the eight best players in the world in China. Licensed to the Fos-sur-Mer club, he is the first Frenchman to win this renowned tournament.
Christo Popov gives us an early Christmas present! Le Fosséen undoubtedly achieved the greatest feat in French badminton by becoming the first Frenchman to win the final of the World Tour Finals, which took place in China.
Opposed to the Chinese Shi Yuqi, world number 1 and reigning world champion, Christo Popov left his opponent no chance: he won in two sets (21-19, 21-9), with domination throughout the match, without really doubting or even being worried. Even if, during the first set, the Chinese offered an offensive game, the Frenchman knew how to perfectly defend and repel most of his opponent’s attacks.
A top performance for Christo Popov. Licensed to the Fos-sur-Mer badminton club, he beat, during the week of competition, the entire top 3 in the world, culminating in the victory against number 1 in the final. At the end of the World Tour Finals, he occupied 6th place in the world rankings and became the French number 1.
