Former world junior champion Tomoka Miyazaki bagged her breakthrough HSBC BWF World Tour title on Sunday at Orleans Masters 2024.

The 17-year-old, playing her second Super 300 final after finishing No.2 to Kim Ga Eun at Korea Masters in November, beat childhood friend Hina Akechi to the top step of the podium.

“I was runner-up at my last Super 300 event. This time I could win so I’m really happy,” said Miyazaki after her 21-18 21-12 victory.

“We know each other very well. She’s two years my senior and we went to the same school. I was happy I could compete with her and come out on top.”

Miyazaki, who won the World Junior Championships in Santander, Spain in 2022, made her World Tour debut in Gwangju. She is now keen to build on her success in France, having joined Japan’s elite squad this year.

“I’ve started training with the best Japanese players like Akane Yamaguchi,” said Miyazaki. “I was initially a little frustrated by the gap but learning from them is priceless. I have the confidence I can be among the top shuttlers in the future.”

Miyazaki wasn’t the only first-time World Tour winner in Orleans – compatriot Yushi Tanaka aced another all-Japanese final in men’s singles against Koo Takahashi while her fellow Santander 22 medallists, Indonesians Meilysa Trias Puspitasari/Rachel Allessya Rose, took home the women’s doubles title.

Young Chinese mixed pair Cheng Xing/Zhang Chi meanwhile, shocked top seeds Rinov Rivaldy/Pitha Haningtyas Mentari 16-21 21-18 21-15, also for their maiden crown on the Tour.

→ Results (Finals)

WHAT OTHERS SAID:

“We are like sisters, we’ve been together seven years. That’s the strength of our partnership. Winning in India (at the Odisha Masters in December) has made us more confident. We feel like we want more now.” – Rose

“I hope this will pique the interest of many kids to pick up badminton. I hope the sport gains in popularity as a result.” – Takahashi on the impact of the singles finals featuring four Japanese players