The 2025 Xinjiang Lin Dan Cup Badminton Open, a prestigious tournament bearing the name of badminton legend Lin Dan, concluded its sixth edition in Urumqi on June 15th, delivering thrilling matches and a record-breaking prize pool. Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long emerged as the men’s singles champion, showcasing remarkable form throughout the event.
Ng Ka Long, currently World No. 23, secured his victory in a hard-fought final against former Chinese national player Zhao Junpeng. The match, played under the BWF’s new experimental 15-point scoring format, saw Ng take the opening game 15-10, drop the second 10-15, but ultimately hold his nerve to seal the decider 15-7. His impressive performance earned him a substantial winner’s prize of CNY 200,000 (approximately USD 27,500).
The Xinjiang Lin Dan Cup 2025 boasted a total prize pool of CNY 840,000, making it the most lucrative edition in the tournament’s history and placing it on par with several BWF Super 500 events. This significant financial incentive attracted a strong field of both international and domestic talent.
Beyond Ng Ka Long and Zhao Junpeng, notable participants included former Chinese national player Zhou Zeqi and Indonesian Open silver medalists Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Muhammad Reza Pahlevi Isfahani, who competed in the mixed team category. The mixed team event also saw success for Hong Kong, with Tang Chun Man contributing to his team’s victory and earning an additional CNY 150,000.
The tournament commenced on June 13th at the Urumqi Sports Arena. While Ng Ka Long’s opening round against a 15-year-old local amateur garnered some humorous online attention for its lopsided nature, the Hong Kong shuttler quickly demonstrated his class, navigating the draw and overcoming several top-level opponents en route to the championship.
The Lin Dan Cup, co-hosted by the Urumqi Sports Bureau, Youth League Committee, and Education Bureau, continues to solidify its position as a significant fixture on the global badminton calendar, offering a platform for elite competition and generous rewards for its participants.