World No. 1 Shi Yuqi made a commanding start to his 2025 Badminton Asia Championships campaign, defeating Macau China’s Pui Pang Fong in straight games on Wednesday (April 9) in Ningbo, China.
Shi secured a 21-15, 21-10 win to book his place in the last 16, where he will face Japan’s Tanaka Yushi. Tanaka advanced after a hard-fought three-game victory over Ng Ka Long Angus.
Another Chinese contender, Li Shifeng, had to work harder for his win. He overcame Sri Lanka’s Viren Nettasinghe 21-19, 21-19 in a match that lasted 51 minutes.
Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew, the 2021 world champion, also moved into the round of 16. He defeated Indonesia’s Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo in straight games, winning 21-15, 22-20. Loh will next meet the winner of Lakshya Sen vs. Lee Chia-Hao.
Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn, the Olympic silver medallist, breezed past Malaysia’s Ng Tze Yong with a dominant 21-9, 21-12 performance to reach the second round.
On the women’s side, China’s Han Yue, the tournament’s second seed, needed just 31 minutes to eliminate India’s Aakarshi Kashyap 21-13, 21-7. Olympic champion Chen Yufei also advanced with a 21-15, 21-16 win over Lin Hsiang-Ti of Chinese Taipei.
The Badminton Asia Championships continue with more top seeds in action as the race for continental glory intensifies in Ningbo.
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