Source: Sipa USA/SOPA Images
[Saba Sports News] In the recently concluded Singapore Badminton Open, Shi Yuqi defeated his teammate Li Shi Feng to claim the championship. Additionally, Danish star Viktor Axelsen announced his withdrawal from the 2024 Indonesia Badminton Open this week. This means that in the updated badminton world rankings on June 11, Shi Yuqi will surpass Axelsen to become the world’s number one in men’s singles badminton. This marks the first time Shi Yuqi has become the “overlord” of men’s singles. China’s men’s singles players have regained the world number one position after 8 years, with the last player to achieve this feat being Chen Long in 2016. Chen Long was dethroned by Malaysian star Lee Chong Wei in June 2016. Since then, no Chinese player has reached that pinnacle. With the retirements of Lin Dan and Chen Long, Shi Yuqi was seen as the successor in Chinese men’s singles badminton. He showed great potential during the Tokyo Olympics cycle, climbing to second place in the world rankings. Unfortunately, a sudden injury in 2019 disrupted his progress. Due to a torn ligament in his left ankle and mental struggles, Shi Yuqi’s performance declined over the next two years. In 2021, he was suspended for a year due to inappropriate remarks, causing his world ranking to fall outside the top thirty. Now, Shi Yuqi has matured and finally reached the summit of the men’s singles world rankings in the Olympic year in Paris. There is no doubt that he has become the favorite to win the men’s singles badminton event at the Paris Olympics.