Christo Popov won European Championships Gold with Brother Toma
At just 23 years old, Christo Popov has emerged as one of the most exciting talents in world badminton, currently ranked World No. 8 in men’s singles and World Tour No. 5.
Christo Popov won the 2025 European Championships gold medal in men’s doubles alongside his brother Toma Junior Popov, becoming France’s first-ever European doubles champions in the competition’s 31-edition history. The brothers defeated compatriots Éloi Adam and Léo Rossi 21-12, 18-21, 21-18 in the final at Forum, Horsens, Denmark.
Just months later, Christo made more history by becoming the first Frenchman to reach the French Open final, cementing 2025 as a landmark year for French badminton. The 23-year-old’s ability to excel in both singles and doubles—despite the brothers claiming they “just play doubles for fun”—has established him as one of the sport’s most versatile talents.
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Historic French Open Journey
Playing in front of passionate home supporters at the Glaz Arena, Popov swept aside Chinese Taipei’s Chi Yu Jen 21-13, 21-7 in the quarterfinals before delivering a stunning semifinal performance against World No. 2 and former World Champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn, winning 21-11, 22-20.
The semifinal victory made Popov the first French men’s singles player to reach the business end of a home tournament in 79 years, since Henri Bellizza in 1946. Although he fell to Denmark’s Anders Antonsen 21-12, 21-19 in the final, Popov’s run cemented his status as France’s brightest badminton hope in generations.
2024 Breakthrough Season
Popov’s rise accelerated in 2024 with two Super 300 titles, both on German soil. He defeated Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke 21-17, 21-16 at the German Open before claiming the HYLO Open title, where he faced his brother in an all-French final, winning 21-13, 21-10.
The Popov brothers also represented France at the 2024 Paris Olympics in men’s doubles. “We just play doubles for fun,” Toma Junior once said. “If we win, it’s a bonus, but we never train doubles.”
2025 Continued Excellence
Beyond his European Championships gold and French Open final, Popov added a bronze medal in men’s singles at the European Championships after a hard-fought battle with compatriot Alex Lanier.
He became the first Frenchman to reach the semifinals of the All England Open, and at the 2025 World Championships, pushed eventual champion Shi Yu Qi to the limit in an 80-minute thriller, losing 21-20, 21-13, 21-18.
Challenging the Elite
Popov’s head-to-head records reveal both his potential and the challenges ahead. He trails World No. 1 Shi Yu Qi 1-4, though his lone victory came at the 2023 China Masters where he defeated Shi in straight sets. Against Kunlavut Vitidsarn, he stands at an even 3-3, while Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen has dominated their encounters 7-0.
“I think I was a bit more aggressive and accurate,” Popov explained after his French Open quarterfinal win. “Today was for me to create the game and create the opportunities and go for it.”
A Family Affair
Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, Christo comes from a badminton dynasty. His father Thomas played for and coached the Bulgarian national team, while his mother Tzvetomira was a national badminton referee. The family now runs an academy in France where both brothers train under their father’s guidance.
“Our confidence is better when we play together. We can count on each other. And our father is our coach, so it’s like a triangle, with the family,” Christo explained.
Mental and Physical Toughness
Popov’s resilience was best exemplified at the 2022 Thomas Cup, where he played a nearly two-hour singles match against Lu Guang Zu—one of the longest recorded singles matches at that level. Despite suffering cramps after the third game and barely being able to stand through the final rallies, Popov completed the match and returned the next day for both singles and doubles duties.
The Road Ahead
At 179cm and playing left-handed, Popov’s rapid rise from World Junior runner-up in 2019 to current World No. 8 demonstrates his trajectory. “Playing in front of a passionate home crowd provides the perfect fuel,” he said after his French Open semifinal. “It’s amazing to play at home and having the crowd cheer for me, giving me energy and feeding fire in the legs.”
As the 2025 season progresses, Christo Popov continues to carry French badminton’s hopes. The 23-year-old is not just one of France’s best players, he’s emerging as one of the world’s most exciting talents, capable of challenging for the sport’s biggest prizes.
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