Badminton players who made their final appearance at BWF World Tour Finals 2024

The BWF World Tour Finals 2024 was an eagerly awaited event that assembled the top seven players of the season, along with Olympic champions in each category, featuring a prize pool of $2,500,000. The tournament provided exhilarating matches and highlighted a fierce competition in badminton.

The year-end tournament conducted in Hangzhou signified the conclusion of a significant chapter in badminton, as several of its most prominent athletes announced their retirement from international competition. Starting on December 11, this prestigious event featured emotional exits from players, who have left an indelible mark on the sport’s history.

On that note, let’s look at the players who made their last appearance at the BWF World Tour Finals 2024 in this article.

Zheng Siwei

Zheng Siwei, the remarkable Chinese mixed doubles player, shocked the badminton community by declaring his retirement merely weeks prior to the tournament. Alongside his partner Huang Yaqiong, he achieved an Olympic gold and silver medal, as well as three World Championship titles, marking his 27-year-old career as truly exceptional.

In a heartfelt social media post, Zheng explained his decision: “I’ve officially decided to step out of the international stage! I know what I love, what I’m good at, and where my goals lie. Winning more titles holds little appeal to me now.”

Zheng, who became part of the Chinese national team at the age of 16, demonstrated a profound dedication to his sport, which frequently overshadowed personal achievements. His retirement reflects a commitment to his family and marks the beginning of a new chapter in his life.

Lee Yang

For Lee Yang of Taiwan, the BWF World Tour Finals 2024 signified the end of an illustrious career. Together with Wang Chi-Lin, Lee achieved global acclaim, particularly by securing gold medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Their journey came full circle at the World Tour Finals, where they encountered their fellow countrymen, Lee Jhe-Huei and Yang Po-Hsuan, in Group A. This was the same pair they faced during their debut tournament together as a duo in 2019. Reflecting on the coincidence, Lee Yang remarked, “It’s destiny. My first match with Chi-Lin was against Jhe-Huei and Po-Hsuan, and now our final match will also be against them.”

Although Lee and Wang triumphed in their final match against their compatriots, their journey in the 2024 World Tour Finals ended in the group stage. Their entry into the tournament was guaranteed by their gold medal win at the Paris Olympics. Notably, the pair had previously claimed the BWF World Tour Finals championship in 2020.

Aya Ohori

Japan's Aya Ohori, affectionately referred to as the "Ethereal Goddess," has also declared her retirement at the conclusion of this season. The 28-year-old women’s singles star shared the news with fans in a heartfelt social media post: “Looking back on my 22-year career, filled with happiness thanks to everyone’s support, I feel truly blessed.”

Aya Ohori achieved her first Super Series title at the 2024 Thailand Masters and subsequently triumphed at the 2024 Australian Open, a Super 500 tournament. She also won a bronze medal at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.

At the 2024 BWF World Tour Finals, she showcased her remarkable skills by securing victories in all her group-stage matches, triumphing over Indonesia’s G.M. Tunjung, Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi, and China’s Wang Zhi Yi, the eventual tournament champion. Nevertheless, her campaign concluded in the semifinals, where she faced a defeat against China’s Han Yue, marking the conclusion of a successful and inspiring badminton career.

As the badminton world bids farewell to these legends, their achievements will continue to inspire players and fans alike. Although their retirements mark the end of a significant chapter, they simultaneously open the door to fresh opportunities.

Cover Credits - Wikipedia