April is always a slow month in the calendar with no tour events, but is replaced with two important elite events. The Asian Championships, European Championships, and Sudirman Cup (or Thomas and Uber Cup in other years). 2025 is no different. The past month has given us lots of entertainment, and not just on the court! Here are the top five stories that captivated fans and shook up the global badminton scene.
🇹🇭 Kunlavut Vitidsarn Makes History at Badminton Asia Championships
Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn clinched his first Badminton Asia Championships title in Ningbo, China. He defeated Lu Guangzu in the men’s singles final 21-12 11-6 as his Chinese opponent retired injured after 42 minutes. This victory propelled him to a career-high World No. 2 ranking, making him the highest-ranked Thai men’s singles player in history. Kunvalut is now the first Thai men’s singles player to win the Asian Championships, more history to add to his growing legacy.
No Chinese Mixed Doubles Success at Asian Championships
A big upset in the mixed doubles at the Badminton Asia Championships! China has dominated mixed doubles in the modern game. Always competing in finals and holding the top world ranking places. They currently hold the top 2 world ranking places but couldn’t get the job done on home ground. The Chinese second seeds FENG Yan Zhe and HUANG Dong Ping lost to the eventual runners-up from Japan Hiroki MIDORIKAWA and Natsu SAITO, in the quarter final. The first seed Chinese pair JIANG Zhen Bang and WEI Ya Xin fell in the semifinal to eventual winners TANG Chun Man and TSE Ying Suet of Hong Kong. A positive shake-up of the mixed doubles scene!
Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei Reunite Ahead of Singapore Open
Malaysia’s world number four mixed doubles pair, Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, have reunited just weeks after a brief split due to “irreconcilable differences.” The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) confirmed their decision to reunite following mutual discussions with their coaches. Their reconciliation comes amid criticism from Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, who underscored their pivotal role in Malaysia’s Road to Gold (RTG) program and emphasized the need for commitment.
France makes a statement at the European Championships 2025
Denmark has been seen as the European superpower in badminton, untouchable for over two decades in Europe. That is changing. While there were noticeable absences from top Danish players Viktor Axelsen, Anders Antonsen, and Mia Blichfeldt, France took the opportunity to show strength. Alex Lanier took the men’s Singles crown against compatriot Toma Jr Popov, with Christo Popov taking a joint 3rd place. Line Kjaersfeldt took the Women’s singles crown for Denmark against Kirsty Gilmour, but Julie Jakobson secured a joint 3rd place to add to the Danish tally.
To the doubles! A French shutout in the men’s doubles, with the Popov brothers defeating teammates Eloi Adam and Leo Rossi. However, Denmark did manage to pick up both 3rd place finishes behind the French. Imperious Bulgarian sisters Gabriela and Stefani Stoeva took gold in women’s doubles by defeating Danes Anthonisen and Fruergaard. The new French pairing of Margot Lambert and Camille Pognante secured a deserved 3rd place for France. The mixed doubles was a pure war between France and Denmark, shutting out the podium with two pairs each! The Danish came out on top with Jesper Toft and Amalie Magelund claiming the gold against Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue.
20 is the magic number at the PanAm Badminton Championships!
There is a revolution happening in PanAm badminton, and we are here for it! The biggest upset in all of the continental championships this year must have been the men’s singles at the PanAm Championships. Gone were all of the established names. Jonathan Matias, Ygor Coelho, Uriel Artiga, Kevin Cordon, and top seed Brian Yang were all dumped out before the final. Instead, 20-year-old Victor Lai mercilessly dispatched compatriot, 19-year-old Josh Nguyen, in the final to claim gold!
In the Women’s singles, a less dramatic but similar story played out. The 20-year-old Brazilian, Juliana Viana Viera, ran the show, taking out top seed Michelle Li in the process. In the final, she patiently dispatched Canadian rival Wen Yu Zhang in 3 sets.
The men’s doubles went according to the seeding. Americans, 20-year-old Chen Zhi Yi and 21-year-old Presley Smith, took the gold against the young Brazilian pair Farias and Silva. America also found success in women’s doubles with an unseeded pair. 20-year-old Allison Lee and 22-year-old Lauren Lam breezed through the draw, taking out the fourth and second seeds en route to dispatching the first-seeded Canadians in the final. The mixed doubles was the only disruption to the onslaught of young players. Experienced Canadian pros Ty Lindeman and Josephine Wu navigated the draw well taking out the biggest competition in a tough 3-round semi-final. They secured the gold in the final against compatriots and siblings Jonathan Lai and Crystal Lai.
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