Source: REUTERS/KIM SOO-HYEON
[Saba Sports News] With the recently released updated world badminton rankings, Chinese badminton player Shi Yuqi has overtaken Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen to claim the top spot. This achievement has effectively secured his participation in the Paris Olympics as the men’s singles number one seed. Shi Yuqi’s ascent to the top has also marked several new records. After winning gold medals at the Singapore Open and Indonesia Open, Shi Yuqi claimed the world number one ranking for the first time with 102,415 points. This not only marks the first time a men’s singles player has achieved the highest points record since data became available in 2002, but it also establishes the highest points record in the history of Chinese badminton men’s singles. This feat is partly attributed to the Badminton World Federation’s continuous enhancement of tournament points in recent years. Additionally, since the Thomas Cup men’s team competition this year, Shi Yuqi has registered 16 consecutive victories. He has featured as the first singles player in six Thomas Cup matches without a single defeat. His five wins at the Singapore Open and another victory in Jakarta last week have set a personal record for consecutive wins in international competitions, underscoring the high quality of his performances.