Viktor Axelsen equalled Lee Chong Wei’s record of most titles at the World Tour Finals (WTF) as the Danish ace handed Anthony Ginting a 21-13, 21-14 defeat in the men’s singles final in Bangkok.
This final epitomised Axelsen’s year, as the reigning Olympic and world champion dominated the 41-minute contest against the Indonesian, whom he beat for the ninth consecutive time since 2020.
“It feels amazing to win this title. This was the first major title I won in 2016, and it holds a special place in my heart. I couldn’t have wished for a better ending to this year,” said Axelsen.
This WTF success marked Axelsen’s eighth title of the 2022 season, while he equalled Lee’s record of four titles at the season finale.
Akane Yamaguchi took the women’s singles crown after a hard-fought 21-18, 22-20 over Chinese Taipei’s Tai Tzu-Ying to add to her phenomenal collection of the world championships, All-England and Japan Open titles this year.
In the men’s doubles, Liu Yu Chen-Ou Xuan Yi secured back-to-back titles after they overcame Indonesian veterans 21-17, 19-21, 21-12.
The Chinese pair had also won the Australian Open last month and the Indonesian Open this year.
China were also victorious in the women’s doubles through the supreme pairing of Chen Qing Chen-Jia Yi Fan, who needed only 37 minutes to beat Thailand’s Benyapa-Nuntakarn Aimsaard.
It was a fantastic season for Chen-Jia, who were the Asian and world champions besides winning five titles on the BWF World Tour.
