The final pieces of the puzzle in the HSBC Race To Finals have fallen into place.

Jonatan Christie‘s glorious run from 17^th in the standings prior to the Kumamoto Masters to inside the Top 8 has been remarkable.

His victory over Shi Yu Qi in today’s semifinal guaranteed him enough points to leap Li Shi Feng and Koki Watanabe.

“It’s my second final in the post-Olympics period. I’ve made three semifinals also. It hasn’t been easy but it’s all quite positive,” said Christie.

“I’m not thinking about the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals though. I still have one big match here against a Danish opponent still to come.”

Tomoka Miyazaki’s earlier loss to An Se Young meant compatriot Akane Yamaguchi took the remaining spot in women’s singles.

Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik were benefactors of Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi’s defeat on Friday night.

Despite also losing their quarterfinal, Chia/Soh had enough points to move ahead of Korea’s Kang Min Hyuk/Seo Seung Jae in the standings. Kang is currently absent from the tour completing his military service back home.

Another superb week by surprise packages, Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani, saw them lock down 5^th place for the season.

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