The Top 8 qualifiers for the world’s richest badminton tournament have been unveiled with the remaining places in the HSBC Race To Finals rankings sealed over the weekend.

Hangzhou, China plays host to the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2023 from 13 to 17 December 2023, with a total prize pool of US$2.5 million on offer.

There are eight qualifying spots in each of the five categories, with a maximum of two players per Member Association, and a spot reserved for the reigning world champion.

Korea’s world champion An Se Young had an exceptional season with eight HSBC BWF World Tour titles from 10 finals, securing 119,890 points for first place. Olympic champion and local Hangzhou hero Chen Yu Fei finished second.

“I’m very happy that more and more international tournaments are coming to Hangzhou, and I feel very amiable to play in my hometown. I’ll enjoy the tournament itself and the atmosphere onsite. Compared to the last few times I participated in the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2023, I feel that I am getting more mature. I will do my best to win the championship.” – Chen Yu Fei.

Third-placed qualifier Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi remains in injury doubt. Korea’s Kim Ga Eun is next in line, with her semifinal finish at the LI-NING China Masters 2023 bumping her to 70,650 points and ninth place overall.

Kodai Naraoka’s 11,000 points from his title win at the LI-NING China Masters 2023 saw him lead the men’s singles HSBC Race To Finals rankings with 89,520 points.

Denmark’s Anders Antonsen was the last player to sneak in, awaiting the result of the Naraoka versus Kenta Nishimoto all-Japanese final in Shenzhen to determine his fate.

Nishimoto’s runner-up finish gave him a total of 77,570 points, falling just short of Antonsen’s 78,110.

Chen Qing Chen/Jia Yi Fan claimed top spot despite playing only 12 HSBC BWF World Tour tournaments. The world champions amassed 101,340 points thanks to five titles in seven finals.

Their young compatriots Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning, playing their first HSBC BWF World Tour season, qualified in fifth spot with 89,000 points.

China’s Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chen vaulted into first place in the HSBC Race To Finals rankings on the back of their thrilling final win at the LI-NING China Masters 2023.

World champions Kang Min Hyuk/Seo Seung Jae of Korea qualified in third place.

Hong Kong China’s Tang Chun Man/Tse Ying Suet and Chinese Taipei’s Ye Hong Wei/Lee Chia Hsin were neck-and-neck before the LI-NING China Masters 2023. With Tang/Tse winning their second-round clash and going on to make the semifinals, they secured seventh place, ahead of Malaysia’s Chen Tang Jie/Toh Ee Wei.

Three pairs crossed 100,000 points – China’s Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping and Zheng Si Wei/Huang Ya Qiong, and world champions Seo Seung Jae/Chae Yu Jung.

BWF Secretary General Thomas Lund said: “BWF is excited to promote Hangzhou as the official home of the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals, with world-class facilities and infrastructure.

“The HSBC BWF World Tour Finals is our signature season-ending finale, and thanks to HSBC we have been able to increase our overall commitment to the sport and players.

“We look forward to welcoming the season’s best players to Hangzhou as they compete for their share of the $US2.5 million – the most in the history of badminton.”

The draw will be held during the annual HSBC BWF World Tour Finals Gala Dinner on Monday 11 December. The winners of the BWF Player of the Year Awards will also be announced.