Top five title favourites in men's singles at Badminton Asia Championships 2025

Top seed Shi Yuqi will look to win his maiden Badminton Asia Championships title.

The Badminton Asia Championships 2025 (BAC 2025) is set to take place from April 9 to 14 in Ningbo, China. As one of the most prestigious continental tournaments, it will feature the best shuttlers from across Asia battling for the coveted title.

With a mix of experienced champions and young rising stars, the Badminton Asia Championships 2025 promises to be a thrilling tournament. With players like Shi Yuqi, Vitidsarn, and Christie in the mix, badminton fans can expect intense clashes and high-quality action as Asia’s best battle for the continental title.

While many players have the potential to lift the trophy, here are the top five favourites for the men’s singles title in 2025!

Also Read: Top five title favourites in women’s singles at Badminton Asia Championships 2025

5. Weng Hong Yang (China)

Weng Hong Yang might not be an outright favourite, but he has been one of the dark horses with momentum. The 2024 China Open champion has been steadily climbing the rankings and recently won the 2025 Swiss Open, showing excellent form ahead of BAC.

Weng has a manageable first round against Alwi Farhan, which he should clear unless there’s an upset. However, in the second round, he will likely meet Chou Tien Chen, a veteran player known for his endurance. If Weng continues his current form, he could be a surprise finalist or even lift the trophy.

Also Read: Lakshya Sen’s projected path to Badminton Asia Championships 2025 final

4. Lakshya Sen (India)

Lakshya Sen is another serious title contender but faces a difficult path in the draw. He has been in great touch in recent tournaments and will be looking to improve on his BAC performances. However, he is in the same section of the draw as Shi Yuqi, meaning the two will likely meet in the quarterfinals, with only one of them advancing.

Lakshya starts with a tough opening-round match against Lee Chia Hao, the 2024 All England finalist. If he progresses, he will then have to battle former world champion Loh Kean Yew before facing Shi Yuqi in the quarter-finals. Notably, Shi defeated Lakshya in the first round of BAC 2024, making this potential rematch a crucial test for the Indian star.

3. Jonatan Christie (Indonesia)

Jonatan Christie is the reigning BAC champion and has proven his ability to deliver on big stages. While his recent form has been inconsistent, he remains a threat. Christie was the 2024 All England Open champion and also won the 2018 Asian Games gold medal in Jakarta.

Despite some struggles in early 2025, Christie’s experience and past success at BAC make him a contender for back-to-back titles. He will need to regain his best form to defend his crown, but Indonesia will be counting on him as their best hope.

Also Read: Top 10 players to watch out for at Badminton Asia Championships 2025

2. Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Thailand)

Kunlavut Vitidsarn is another major favourite for the title. The Thai shuttler has been one of the most consistent players on the circuit, having won the BWF World Championships in 2023 and clinching a silver medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. His ability to grind out tough matches and his exceptional defensive play make him a serious contender.

Vitidsarn faces a tricky first-round against Ng Tze Yong, who is coming back from injury. If he clears that, he will likely play Kiran George in the second round. His quarter-final match-up could be against either Weng Hong Yang or Chou Tien Chen, both of whom could pose significant challenges.

Also Read: Kunlavut Vitidsarn’s projected path to Badminton Asia Championships 2025 final

1. Shi Yuqi (China)

Shi Yuqi is currently the world number #1 and comes into the tournament fresh off his All England Open 2025 victory. He has been in phenomenal form, making him the leading contender for the title. While Shi suffered a semi-final defeat to Jonatan Christie at BAC 2024, he remains a consistent performer in major tournaments.

The top Seed and home favourite also has a favourable draw, with relatively easy rounds before the quarterfinals. His first real challenge will likely come in the last eight, where he is expected to face either Loh Kean Yew or Lakshya Sen. Given his current form and a manageable path to the semifinals, Shi Yuqi is undoubtedly the strongest title favourite.

Other contenders to watch out for

While these five players are the top favourites, other names cannot be ruled out.

• Li Shi Feng (China) – Another strong Chinese contender with a title shot.
• Chou Tien Chen (Chinese Taipei) – A seasoned veteran capable of deep runs.
• Loh Kean Yew (Singapore) – The former world champion, always a threat in fast-paced conditions.

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