But yes, what did you believe? That I was going to let a Sunday go by like this, without doing an editorial? The day a tricolor won the biggest title in badminton history? (even if I still keep in mind the coronations of Lucas Mazur and Charles Noakes at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games). But are you crazy?
What Christo has done is simply phenomenal. We, journalists, sports scribes, are in the habit of getting a little carried away by using and abusing superlatives with each victory of a tricolor, chauvinists that we are. But there, frankly… We didn’t really know how to title this performance. “Christosperic” seemed obvious to me. He deserved his own new word.
Because this young man did what no other French player had ever achieved: beat so many crowned heads in one week. The very best in the world went to the pan, one after the other. As if nothing had happened. Well, yes, I’m exaggerating. He drew on his resources, our tricolor. But his defenses. What defenses… Watching him play, for those who have a little perspective on the history of badminton, I sometimes saw Lin Dan on his magic kicks, a left-hander, like him. The best player of all time. And then, I also saw Lee Huyn Il, former Korean number 1, whose defense was the best in the world – and who, a few minutes before, accompanied An Se Young’s victory in the coaching chair (with its share of drama because she was injured on the match point)… What pride, to see Christo, the point raised, not even believing it himself, at the end of this victory in two sets 21-19, 21-9, against world number 1 Shi Yuqi. The title holder. The world champion, incidentally. A little tired – or convalescing, at the end of the match, perhaps, but still…
Our friend Thierry, with live commentary on the Live Team (well, almost live except at the point of the first set, grrrrrr), couldn’t believe his eyes either. Nor Yves, our photographer, who exchanged stunned looks with Eric Lissillour, the Referee, at the edge of the court.
Who would have believed it?
Toma, the dad, would have believed it. Tomi, the brother, too. This incredible Popov clique, which defies all predictions. It was Tomi, moreover, the first, who broke the first glass ceiling of the World Tour era, by winning the first Super 300 in French history a few years ago. He showed the way. And Toma, who leads the boat with a master’s hand, who exhausts his sons in training, so that they can cope better physically in tournaments. Singles, doubles. The two are in the top 20 in the world together, in the top 15 in singles. This is unprecedented at this level. We’ve said it again and again here, all these Sunday coaches who advise the Popovs to drop the doubles, to be stronger in singles, it makes us laugh… This is the most beautiful answer today.
And if Christo is much more effective in attack today, it is undoubtedly thanks to this dual work. And if he defends that well, too. Frankly, respect, for the tactical and strategic choices of this extraordinary team, complementary to the fantastic work that the Federation is doing at the high level elsewhere – with, in particular, Alex Lanier, another badminton UFO among our musketeers, who also showed the way, by winning a super 750 and being the first Frenchman in the world top 10 in men’s singles.
This victory for Christo is that of a family. Of a sibling – Tomi played the role of the “sparring partner” of choice this week. From a badminton academy, not far from the cannebière, where we had to pop the champagne. Fos sur Mer… and father. A united family, it shows. Full of respect for others, while moving forward with their certainties. Against all odds, sometimes – but we know the wind in Fos. The mistral is not scary. A close-knit team – also with particular attention to communication, appropriately managed by Antoine Lesne and Christo himself in part. Physiotherapists and trainers on a daily basis – even if it was one of the French team’s physiotherapists who went to China.
Today, for all these little people, the celebration is beautiful. Hundreds of kids in France saw the match live on TV. Will be inspired. This victory will be a landmark. We probably cannot imagine the potential scope of such a cataclysm – because Christo’s success is undoubtedly the biggest sporting surprise of this week – specialists from around the world were left speechless, admiring. And we, like these kids, dream of something better. There, behind our screens. We say to ourselves, for those who, like me, have followed our Blues for several decades, that what is happening here is simply incredible. No one would have ever imagined, even 3 years ago, that France would place in the same season a mixed doubles winner of a Super 1000, a medal at the world championships, several semi-finals and finals of major tournaments (including a final at the IFB), and finally, the consecration, the holy grail, with this victory in the major tournament at the end of the season. So, yes, there are the 12,000 points which will do good in the rankings. And the 240,000 US$ which will put butter in the Bulgarian spinach (we don’t know if there is spinach in Bulgaria, but it rhymed, so… 😊But all of this is almost anecdotal. We are savoring our pleasure, just. To see Christo on a podium of this caliber. Having deserved it so much this year.
Can’t wait for 2026, really.
And thank you Christo.
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