Viktor Axelsen and Gregoria Mariska Tunjung Crowned Champions at BWF Kumamoto Masters Japan 2023

Date:

Share post:

-Olympics

Danish badminton star Viktor Axelsen claimed his fifth BWF Tour title of the year at the Kumamoto Masters Japan 2023 defeating world No. 7 Shi Yuqi (People’s Republic of China) in the final 22-20, 21-17 on Sunday (19 November).

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion started the match attacking with great precision to race to an 11-5 lead at the mid-game interval.

Following the break, Shi raised his game taking five consecutive points to narrow the gap down to just one point.

It was a tight affair with neither shuttler wanting to give away any easy points. The Dane managed to keep a cool head and secure the first game 22-20.

The second game was just as close. Axelsen took an 11-9 advantage but the men’s singles Asian Games silver medallist defended well, came back and turned the tables to grab a 15-14 lead.

Axelsen stepped it up a notch again, dominated Shi at the net and wrapped up the game 21-17 to claim the Japan Masters for the first time in his career.

“It was a men’s singles match at a really high level,” Axelsen said. “Shi Yugi is a really strong opponent, and if he had managed to win the first game, it could have gone either way. Victory or not, I am really proud of my performance and the level I played at.”

Before the tournament, Axelsen’s participation was in doubt due to a foot injury he suffered during the Denmark Open earlier this autumn.

The Kumamoto Masters Japan was Axelsen’s fifth title on the BWF Tour this year after winning the Malaysia Open, Indonesia Open, Japan Open and China Open. In addition, he clinched European Games gold at the beginning of July.

Elsewhere, in the women’s singles final, Indonesia’s Gregoria Mariska Tunjung caused an upset defeating Olympic champion Chen Yufei of the People’s Republic of China 21-12, 21-12.

It was the fiirst time that Tunjung won a Super 500 tournament title on the BWF Tour.

The People’s Republic of China dominated in doubles with the three finals being all-Chinese affairs. The men’s doubles final was won by He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu, while Zhang Shu Xian and Zheng Yu took the women’s doubles. Zheng Si Wei/Huang Ya Qiong claimed the mixed doubles title.

Featured Image: Badminton Planet

Oh hi there 👋
It’s nice to meet you.

Sign up to receive awesome content in your inbox, every month.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Leave a Reply

Related articles

World Aquatics Championships Arena ready for top athletes at Singapore 2025 

SINGAPORE, 16 June 2025 – The new World Aquatics Championships Arena (WCH Arena) is ready to welcome the...

SwissBorg celebrates new status as FIBA Global Supplier, supporting the stars of tomorrow 

MIES (Switzerland) - Lausanne based company SwissBorg has been named a FIBA Global Supplier and will support the...

Kate Waugh Dominates to Claim Singapore T100 Title with Record-Breaking Victory 

SINGAPORE, 5 APRIL 2025 – Briton Kate Waugh produced a stunning performance to clinch the season-opening Singapore T100...

New Zealand and Argentina HSBC SVNS League Winners on day one in Singapore; Singapore women win SEA 7s title at the National Stadium, Singapore 

New Zealand women and Argentina men confirmed HSBC SVNS 2025 League Winners after reaching HSBC SVNS Singapore semi-finals  New...