China's stronghold on Sudirman Cup continue after record-extending 14th title

The hosts defeated South Korea in a repeat of 2023 final to win the 2025 edition of Sudirman Cup.

China duly annexed title No #14 at the BWF Sudirman Cup 2025, with Korea’s weary warriors running out of steam in a final that threw up no surprises.

Korea’s late finish against Indonesia in the semi-finals, in which the Koreans were stretched to their limits in long matches, had a bearing on the final, with the 2017 champions throwing in the same combinations against China. That meant Seo Seung Jae once again slotted for two matches, besides Baek Ha Na/Lee So Hee in women’s doubles.

The home team, on the other hand, chose the less predictable options in women’s singles – where they fielded Wang Zhi Yi instead of Chen Yu Fei – and women’s doubles, preferring young guns Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning instead of the vastly experienced Chen Qing Chen/Jia Yi Fan.

Playing the opening mixed doubles, Seo and Chae Yu Jung had to fight a rearguard battle with Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping at their attacking best. An unexpected bonus however came their way with Feng appearing to have pulled a muscle late in the second game, which saw the Koreans surge back into contention.

Also Read: Sudirman Cup 2025 Finals Highlights: China beat South Korea to lift record-extending 14th title

After fighting on even keel through the third, a service error by Chae was all it took for the momentum to swing the other way, and China had captured the advantage.

“We had the chance to overtake them in the middle of the third game, but I made a service error and we lost the momentum,” said Chae. “I felt that even though we lost, we did our best, but because of the late game last night, my muscles were tight and I had to keep stretching.”

An Se Young, reduced to tears at the last Sudirman Cup after crumbling to pressure, was far more assured today against Wang Zhi Yi. The world No #1 was never in danger as she pulled Korea back into the contest.

“Happy that I could win for the team,” said An Se Young. “This is my fourth Sudirman Cup and finally I could win a match in the final. I was able to overcome the pressure. In a team event the pressure is different from an individual tournament. So I’m happy that I overcame the difficulty.

“I played Wang Zhi Yi at the All England, but the conditions and shuttle were different. I was nervous yesterday because Indonesia put us under a lot of pressure, and we were thinking of the final.”

Men’s singles was a write-off for Korea; Jeong Hyeok Jin could manage only five points in each game; and thus it came to the women’s doubles, with Baek/Lee needed to save their team a few hours after they’d pulled off the feat against Indonesia.

Against a pair as strong as Liu/Tan, the physical toll of the previous evening showed, with the Koreans a long away off from their usual bustling game. It was all over in 55 minutes, with Liu and Tan smashing their way through, 21-14 21-17 to keep the trophy in Chinese custody.

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