2025-06-04
BAOJI, China – Sunday, June 1st – The 2025 China Badminton Club League (Division A) concluded at the Baoji Gymnasium in Shaanxi Province after four days of intense competition. Ruichang Changsheng Flexpro Badminton Club emerged as champions, with Hunan Ideal HuaLa finishing as runners-up and Baoji Jian'an securing third place.
According to league regulations, Ruichang Changsheng Flexpro Badminton Club has earned qualification for next season's China Badminton Club Super League.
The championship final pitted Ruichang Changsheng Flexpro against Hunan Ideal HuaLa, a rematch of their group stage encounter where Flexpro had previously won 4-1. Both teams fielded their strongest lineups for the final. The opening men's doubles match saw Ruichang Changsheng Flexpro's Thai pair, Chaloempon Chaiwan / Waraporn Phattharathipak, surprisingly drop the first game 11-21 due to uncharacteristic errors.
However, the experienced Thai duo adjusted swiftly. Leveraging their adept net play and mid-court techniques, they consistently created openings and scored points. They held their nerve in a tense third game, clinching it 21-19 to secure the first point for Flexpro.
Speaking to CCTV post-match, Chaloempon reflected: "We started poorly. They were very fast at the net and in the mid-court exchanges, and we made too many mistakes under the high pace. Fortunately, we adjusted well to turn the match around." Waraporn, visibly elated, praised the event's organization: "The atmosphere felt like an international tournament. Winning feels fantastic – happy is good!"
In the second match, former Chinese national team player Zhang Yiman staged a remarkable comeback from a significant deficit in the first game, winning in straight sets to extend Flexpro's lead to 2-0.
The subsequent mixed doubles match saw Gu Junfeng, primarily a men's singles specialist, double up to partner Xia Yuting. The makeshift pair was ultimately defeated by Hunan's Ma Shang / Yang Jiayi.
Gu Junfeng returned to the court for the fourth match, facing 18-year-old Li Zhihang. The 25-year-old Gu held clear advantages in both experience and skill. Demonstrating intense focus, excellent rhythm control, and seamless transitions between offense and defense, Gu efficiently closed out the match 21-13, 21-7 in just 31 minutes. This victory sealed the overall 3-1 win for Ruichang Changsheng Flexpro over Hunan Ideal HuaLa, crowning them the 2025 China Badminton Club League (Division A) Champions.
Speaking to CCTV after delivering the decisive point, Gu Junfeng stated: "We prepared thoroughly beforehand. My aim was to secure this point for the team. Playing mixed doubles right before singles in this tournament, against strong opponents, required smart physical management. It was exhausting, but I'm thrilled to have scored the match-winning point."
