Shi Yuqi, of China, poses on the podium after winning the Men's Singles of the Badminton World Championships, Sunday, August 31, 2025 in Paris. Photo: VCG

If you have followed Chinese men's singles badminton over the past decade, the Paris Olympics semifinals may have left you in despair. Shi Yuqi, despite often entering as the top seed, seemed trapped by a cruel fate - unable to capture a title at the sport's "Big Three" tournaments. 

That jinx was finally broken in Paris. On Sunday Shi claimed his first BWF World Championships crown, defeating the very opponent who had once stopped him at the Paris Olympics, Kunlavut Vitidsarn from Thailand.

This was not only Shi's first world title, but also the end of a 10-year drought for China's men's singles at major championships. When Kunlavut's final shot sailed out, Shi walked in disbelief toward the baseline, dropped to his knees, and covered his face in tears. "This has always been the goal of Chinese badminton," he said afterward. "Every match here was tough, but I focused on the process, overcoming one obstacle after another."

China's resurgence in Paris was far from accidental. Since 2011, the team has endured a long period of decline. Now, reaching all five finals in Paris felt like a statement of revival, and it couldn't have happened without the tenacity of veterans like Shi and Chen Yufei, the women's singles champion at the Tokyo Olympics.

Zhang Jun, president of the Chinese Badminton Association, said what moved him most was not just the results, but the spirit on display.

"Shi survived immeasurable pressure on the edge, while Chen, who lost the women's singles final earlier on Sunday, played through injury until the very last point. Every match reflected the determination to fight for every ball," he said. "Shi's victory sets an example for the men's singles, not only as a champion but also as a spiritual leader. And Chen, despite her injury, showed a fighting spirit that transcends victory and defeat." 

Sports commentator Wang Dazhao echoed this sentiment, pointing out that Shi's style has always been more about endurance than flair. "People often say he lacks the sharpness of Lin Dan or Chen Long," Wang told the Global Times. "But his persistence - like his grinding, resilient style of play - is precisely what carried him to a long-awaited world title."

Yet while Shi delivered redemption, Chen's story was one of heartbreak. In her semifinal match, a freak misstep twisted her ankle at 90 degrees. Despite swallowing eight painkillers before the final, she struggled to move freely and fell short of her first World Championships singles crown. 

For fans, her courage was unforgettable. "She could barely run, but she still fought for every point," Zhu Jiuya, a Chinese spectator in Paris, told the Global Times. "When she cried after the match, many of us in the stands cried with her. Just stepping onto that court was already a victory."

The veterans may inspire, but concerns remain over China's younger generation. Li Shifeng's first-round loss and Lu Guangzu's second-round exit highlighted the fragility of men's singles depth. Doubles, too, produced mixed signals: while newcomers Liu Shengshu/Tan Ning and Chen Boyang/Liu Yi stunned by reaching the finals on debut, Olympic silver medalists Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang crashed out in the round of 16.

Even in China's traditional stronghold, the mixed doubles, the gap between promise and stability is evident. "The World Championships is just a stage," Zhang cautioned. "The real goal is the Los Angeles Olympics. We must use these tournaments to temper the team, keeping veterans steady while pushing young players to rise. Only through constant reflection and progress can we shape the lineup for 2028."

China ultimately closed the Paris World Championships with two golds, three silvers, and one bronze. The tally may not echo the sweeping dominance of the past, but it reflects resilience, grit, and the spark of a new chapter. As the team turns its eyes to Los Angeles, Shi's triumph stands not just as the end of a drought, but as proof that perseverance still wins the day.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. life@globaltimes.com.cn