China's Chen Yufei delivered a masterclass in badminton dominance on Sunday, securing the women's singles title at the BWF Singapore Open with a decisive 21-11, 21-11 victory over compatriot Wang Zhiyi. The 48-minute final showcased Chen's technical brilliance, marking her 22nd consecutive win since returning to the sport in February following a brief hiatus.
The Tokyo Olympic gold medalist's triumph caps a remarkable resurgence after a surprising quarterfinal exit at the Paris Olympics last year. Chen, who took a three-month break to study English in Melbourne, has silenced doubts about her form by defeating reigning Olympic champion An Se-young of the Republic of Korea in the quarterfinals—halting the World No. 1's 27-match winning streak—before overpowering Asian champion Wang in the final.
Meanwhile, Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn claimed men's singles glory with a dominant 21-6, 21-10 win over China's Lu Guangzu. The 24-year-old's fourth title this season positions him to become the first men's singles player born after 2000 to reach World No. 1 in upcoming BWF rankings.
Chen's victory reinforces China's stronghold in women's badminton while highlighting Asia's growing influence in global sports. For investors and analysts, the event underscores the commercial potential of badminton across Asian markets, where star athletes drive sponsorship deals and media engagement.
