Shi Yuqi at the 2024 Badminton French Open. [Photo/WeChat account: wxntfb]

Shi Yuqi from Nantong, Jiangsu province, claimed the men's title at the 2024 Badminton French Open, which concluded on March 11 (Beijing Time).

The French Open was Shi's first competition in the Year of the Dragon. Following a winter of training, his physical strength, technical skills, and tactical abilities reached new heights.

The Nantong shuttler reached the final by way of four straight 2-0 wins, thrashing his opponents, before ultimately defeating last year's world championship winner, Kunlavut Vitidsarn.

Women's doubles champions Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan at the 2024 Badminton French Open. [Photo/WeChat account: wxntfb]

Before the men's singles final, Chinese team coach Tao Jiaming from Nantong led his women's doubles team to win the final.

The Chinese team clinched three gold medals at the tournament, including a victory in mixed doubles. An Se-young from South Korea won the women's single while China's Olympic champion Chen Yufei was ousted in the semi-finals.

Badminton is the most well-represented sport in Nantong, from where seven world champions have emerged. Four months from now, Shi and Tao are likely to participate in the Paris Olympic Games on behalf of China.