When Chou Tien Chen first stepped onto the international circuit in 2007, Sunday’s opponent Toma Junior Popov was just nine years old.
Nineteen years later, the Chinese Taipei veteran showed that experience, resilience and discipline can still outlast youth.
At 36 years and 200 days, Chou became the oldest player to win a Super 1000 title, defeating Popov 21-15 7-21 21-13 to lift the VICTOR China Open 2026 crown. It capped one of the finest weeks of his long career, having also eliminated top-seeded defending champion Shi Yu Qi and All England winner Lin Chun-Yi en route to the title.
The final itself reflected everything that has defined Chou’s career – patience, composure and an ability to find solutions. He recovered from an 11-6 deficit to steal the opening game, weathered Popov’s response in the second, then surged into a seven-point lead in the decider before calmly keeping the Frenchman at arm’s length.
For a player who underwent a colectomy after being diagnosed with early-stage colorectal cancer in 2023, simply competing at the highest level again once seemed uncertain. Winning a first title since last October’s Arctic Open – and his first Super 1000 crown since the 2019 Indonesia Open – made the achievement even more remarkable.
“Unbelievable,” Chou said. “I didn’t think I’d play in the final, let alone become the champion. I really appreciate it. Being on court at this age is not easy, I’m grateful to have this chance.”
He also credited the daily routine that has sustained his longevity.
“Every day is about physio, eating the right nutrition and doing everything to get good results.”
His greatest victory, however, may be over time itself. While records inevitably fall, few careers endure with such consistency and purpose. Chou believes the secret is neither talent nor results.
“You have to keep your mind positive all the time. I can’t decide the result but I can decide my attitude. So I just keep that mindset.”
And there is little time to celebrate. In a few days, Chou returns home as the top seed at the YONEX Taipei Open 2026.
At 36, the oldest Super 1000 champion has made one thing clear: he is not slowing down.
The mixed doubles final was an all-Chinese showdown, with Guo Xinwa and Chen Fanghui outlasting top seeds and defending champions Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping in a gruelling 87-minute battle to seize the title.
Guo and Chen won the first game 25-23, but squandered multiple chances in the second and allowed their opponents to level with a 22-20 comeback. They regrouped to take the decider 21-15.
It was the second Super 1000 title for Guo and Chen since last year's All England Open. Chen said the pair had been struggling for form coming into the tournament, but their mutual support carried them through to victory.
In the women's doubles, Chinese duo Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning defended their crown with a 21-14, 21-19 victory over Japan's Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto. The world No.1s etched their names into the history books after becoming the first women’s pair to capture three Super 1000 titles in a season since the HSBC BWF World Tour was introduced in 2018.
Home favourite Chen Yufei came up short in the women's singles final, losing to Japanese veteran Akane Yamaguchi 21-18, 21-16 as the world champion showed superior form throughout.
In men's doubles, world No. 2 pair Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri from Indonesia managed to defend the title of the China Open after defeating the world No. 1, world champions and top-seeded Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae of South Korea 16-21, 21-19, 21-19. Fajar/Fikri had previously won the Japan Open last week which was BWF Super 750 level, defeating the same opponent in two games.
Credits: BWF
