Suzhou: The 2024-2025 China Badminton Super League (CBSL) Finals reached an electrifying climax on February 23 at the Suzhou Olympic Sports Center, where Ruichang Badminton Academy pulled off a sensational 3-1 comeback victory against six-time champions Qingdao Renzhou, clinching their first-ever CBSL title.
A Historic Win in the CBSL Playoff Finals
This season’s CBSL featured eight elite teams, with the competition divided into a regular season and playoff stage. The regular season, held between November and December 2024 across several cities, including Changzhou, Jiangsu, saw Qingdao Renzhou, Zhejiang Jingti, Xiamen Sports Group, and Ruichang Badminton Academy emerge as the top four teams, earning a place in the playoff.
The two-day playoff event, which began on February 22, saw Qingdao Renzhou and Ruichang Badminton Academy defeat their respective semifinal opponents to set up a highly anticipated title showdown.
Ruichang’s Stunning Comeback in the playoff finals – Match Breakdown
🔹 Men’s Doubles: Qingdao Renzhou struck first, as Feng Yanzhe / Liang Weikeng defeated Ou Xuanyi / Ren Xiangyu 3-1 (8-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-6), securing an early 1-0 lead.
🔹 Men’s Singles: In a thrilling turnaround, Li Shifeng showcased his resilience, overcoming Liu Liang 3-2 (9-11, 1-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-6), leveling the match at 1-1.
“The 11-point format is incredibly fast-paced. Losing the first two games actually gave me a chance to test my resilience and see if I could turn things around,” Li Shifeng shared after his match.
🔹 Mixed Doubles: Ren Xiangyu / Liu Shengshu delivered a commanding performance, overpowering Guo Xinwa / Chen Fanghui 3-0 (11-8, 11-2, 11-5), pushing Ruichang into a 2-1 lead.
🔹 Women’s Singles (Championship Decider): Wang Zhiyi sealed Ruichang’s historic title with a dominant 3-0 (13-11, 11-7, 11-6) victory over Han Yue, clinching the 3-1 triumph.
Ruichang Academy Makes History, Xiamen Takes Third Place
With this landmark victory, Ruichang Badminton Academy has officially dethroned Qingdao Renzhou, announcing their arrival as a new powerhouse in Chinese badminton and marking a shift in the badminton news landscape.
Meanwhile, in the bronze medal match, Xiamen Sports Group secured third place with a 3-1 victory over Zhejiang Jingti.
Ruichang’s historic CBSL title showcases the emergence of new contenders in China’s elite badminton scene, setting the stage for an even more competitive and exciting season ahead.
Stay tuned for the latest badminton updates and in-depth analysis! 🏸🔥
