Danish badminton sensation Viktor Axelsen continued his stellar year, claiming his fifth BWF Tour title at the Kumamoto Masters Japan 2023. In a thrilling final, Axelsen defeated world No. 7 Shi Yuqi of the People’s Republic of China, sealing his victory with a scoreline of 22-20, 21-17 on Sunday, November 19th.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion displayed his dominance from the start, taking an 11-5 lead at the mid-game interval with precise attacking shots. However, Shi Yuqi mounted a comeback, winning five consecutive points to close the gap.
The first game remained fiercely competitive, with neither player willing to concede easy points. Axelsen managed to maintain his composure, securing the game 22-20. The second game was equally intense, with Axelsen initially leading 11-9. Shi Yuqi fought back to take a 15-14 lead, but Axelsen upped his game, dominated at the net, and ultimately claimed the game 21-17, securing the Japan Masters title for the first time in his career.
Reflecting on his performance, Axelsen praised Shi Yuqi as a strong opponent and acknowledged the high-level match they played. He expressed pride in his performance, highlighting the competitiveness of men’s singles badminton at the elite level.
Before the tournament, Axelsen’s participation was in doubt due to a foot injury sustained during the Denmark Open. However, he overcame the challenge and continued his remarkable year, adding the Kumamoto Masters Japan title to his growing list of achievements.
In addition to this victory, Axelsen has triumphed in other major tournaments this year, including the Malaysia Open, Indonesia Open, Japan Open, China Open, and the European Games. His consistent success has solidified his position as one of the world’s top badminton players.
In the women’s singles final, Indonesia’s Gregoria Mariska Tunjung secured a major upset by defeating Olympic champion Chen Yufei of the People’s Republic of China with a commanding score of 21-12, 21-12. This victory marked Tunjung’s first Super 500 tournament title on the BWF Tour.
The People’s Republic of China dominated in the doubles categories, with all three finals featuring all-Chinese matchups. The men’s doubles title went to He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu, while Zhang Shu Xian and Zheng Yu emerged victorious in the women’s doubles. In mixed doubles, Zheng Si Wei and Huang Ya Qiong clinched the title.
Viktor Axelsen’s triumph in Kumamoto adds another chapter to his remarkable year in the world of badminton, solidifying his status as a dominant force in the sport.
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