There are players who win because they are gifted. There are players who win because they are physically superior. And then there are those who learn to win because losing, at some point, becomes unacceptable. An Se-young belongs to the third category. On Sunday, inside a packed Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, the South Korean did something that has increasingly become familiar in women's badminton: she found a way to win.&nbsp;Akane Yamaguchi stood across the net, one of the few players who understands better than most what it takes to survive against An. But even the Japanese former world no. 1 could not stop her. An won 21-17, 21-14 to clinch her second BWF World Championships title. The victory came three years after her first world crown and two years after she became Olympic champion in Paris. By then, the numbers were extraordinary. But numbers alone do not explain An Se-young.&nbsp;To understand the player who now owns the Olympic, World Championships, Asian Games and Asian Championships titles, one has to go back to the beginning, before the trophies, before the world no. 1 ranking and before she became the face of South Korean badminton. Because An Se-young was not simply born a champion. She was built.<h2>The girl who arrived early</h2>An's story began in Gwangju, South Korea, where badminton entered her life at a young age. She followed her father's passion for the sport and quickly discovered that what started as an introduction could become an obsession. The progression was remarkably fast. At just 13, she was already competing internationally. By 2015 and 2016, she was collecting junior titles and establishing herself as one of Korea's most exciting young prospects.&nbsp;Then came 2017. At 15, An became the first middle-school student to make South Korea's senior national badminton team. That achievement alone tells a story. Most teenagers at that age are still trying to understand their own game. An was being thrown into an environment filled with established international players. She did not immediately dominate. And that was important. The early years exposed her to a level of badminton where talent was not enough. She had to learn how to deal with stronger opponents, longer rallies, pressure situations and the psychological demands of competing against players who had spent years at the top. Her first senior international title eventually came at the 2018 Irish Open. A year later, everything accelerated.<h2>2019: The world started noticing</h2>The New Zealand Open became the first major sign that An was ready for something bigger. She defeated China's Li Xuerui, the 2012 Olympic champion, in the final. It was not simply another trophy. It was a statement. An went on to win the Canada Open, Akita Masters, French Open and Korea Masters in 2019. Her ranking surged into the world's top 10 and the BWF named her the Most Promising Player of the Year. Suddenly, the teenager from Gwangju was no longer a prospect. She was a threat.&nbsp;But elite sport rarely follows a straight line. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted her momentum. Then came the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. An arrived in Tokyo as one of the rising names in women's badminton. But her Olympic debut ended in the quarterfinals, where she lost to China's Chen Yufei. For a young player with enormous expectations, it could have become a psychological setback. Instead, it became another layer in the making of An Se-young.&nbsp;She learned. She adjusted. And she kept moving. Later that year, she reached her first Super 1000 final at the Denmark Open and then produced one of the most impressive stretches of her young career at the Indonesia badminton festival in Bali. She won the Indonesia Masters. Then the Indonesia Open. Then the BWF World Tour Finals. Three tournaments. Three titles. The message was becoming impossible to ignore. An Se-young was coming.<h2>The knee that changed everything</h2>In October 2023, during the Asian Games final against Chen Yufei, An suffered a serious injury to her right knee. She still won. She effectively finished the match while compromised physically, producing one of the defining acts of resilience in her career.But the victory came at a cost. The injury threatened everything that was supposed to come next. Paris was less than a year away. The Olympics had always been one of the ultimate targets. Now, suddenly, the question was not whether An could win Olympic gold.&nbsp;It was whether she would even be able to arrive in Paris at full strength. The months that followed were filled with uncertainty. She returned to competition but was not always the same player. There were lingering problems with her knee, questions over her fitness and legitimate doubts about whether the world's best women's singles player could reach the biggest stage at her best.An, however, kept going. That became the recurring theme of her career. Keep going.<h2>Paris: The reward for everything before it</h2>On August 5, 2024, at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena, An Se-young stood one match away from Olympic immortality. Across the net was China's He Bingjiao. The match itself lasted less than an hour. The journey to it had lasted years. An won 21-13, 21-16.Olympic gold. For South Korea, it was the country's first women's singles badminton gold since Bang Soo-hyun won at the 1996 Atlanta Games. For An, it was something even more personal.&nbsp;She had become Olympic champion after spending months wondering whether her injured knee would allow her to compete at all. The celebration, however, was followed by an unexpected moment of honesty. An criticised the handling of her injury by the national team setup, saying the problem had initially been underestimated and that she had been forced to play through pain.&nbsp;Her comments triggered a wider conversation about South Korea's badminton system and the treatment of its athletes. It was another revealing chapter in the making of An Se-young. She was no longer simply a young athlete expected to follow the system. She had become a champion willing to challenge it. And that required another kind of courage.<h2>The champion who kept evolving</h2>The years after Paris did not make An invincible. They made her more complete. There were injuries. There were losses. There were moments when opponents found ways to push her. But the defining characteristic remained the same: An adapted.That is perhaps the most important part of her story. Her game is not built around one spectacular weapon. It is built around layers. Movement. Stamina. Defence. Shot quality. Patience. Court coverage. Mental resilience. And, increasingly, the ability to understand exactly when to accelerate.&nbsp;By 2026, An had become the player everyone else was studying. Yet even she arrived at the World Championships in New Delhi with another physical question hanging over her. A left-foot injury had forced her to withdraw from the Japan Open in July. She admitted that pain remained but insisted she was ready to chase another world title. She was not bluffing.<h2>New Delhi: another chapter</h2>The World Championships offered another test. An had to navigate the pressure of being the defending champion and the world's no. 1 player while carrying the expectations that come with being the favourite. In the quarterfinals, she defeated China's Han Yue 21-19, 21-12. Then came Wang Zhi Yi in the semifinals. And finally, Yamaguchi.&nbsp;It was an appropriate opponent for the final chapter of this particular stage of An's career. Yamaguchi had been one of the defining rivals of her rise. Their battles represented two different approaches to the same sport, speed, precision and relentless movement against an opponent whose ability to absorb pressure had become almost legendary. This time, An was better.21-17. 21-14. World champion again. Her second world title. And another piece of history.&nbsp;With the victory, An now owns the four biggest individual titles available in women's badminton: the Olympics, World Championships, Asian Games and Asian Championships. But perhaps the more remarkable achievement is what those titles represent. They are not four isolated victories. They are four stages of the same transformation.<h2>The unfinished story</h2>At 24, An Se-young has already achieved what many badminton players spend their entire careers chasing. Olympic champion. Two-time world champion. Asian Games champion. Asian champion. World no. 1. Yet the most interesting part of her career may still be ahead. Because An is no longer chasing recognition. She is chasing longevity. She is chasing consistency. She is chasing the version of herself that can remain at the top even after opponents have spent years trying to decode her game.

An Se-young’s rise from teenage badminton prodigy to Olympic champion and two-time world champion is a story of resilience, setbacks and relentless evolution

There are players who win because they are gifted. There are players who win because they are physically superior. And then there are those who learn to win because losing, at some point, becomes unacceptable. An Se-young belongs to the third category. On Sunday, inside a packed Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, the South Korean did something that has increasingly become familiar in women's badminton: she found a way to win. Akane Yamaguchi stood across the net, one of the few players who understands better than most what it takes to survive against An. But even the Japanese former world no. 1 could not stop her. An won 21-17, 21-14 to clinch her second BWF World Championships title. The victory came three years after her first world crown and two years after she became Olympic champion in Paris. By then, the numbers were extraordinary. But numbers alone do not explain An Se-young. To understand the player who now owns the Olympic, World Championships, Asian Games and Asian Championships titles, one has to go back to the beginning, before the trophies, before the world no. 1 ranking and before she became the face of South Korean badminton. Because An Se-young was not simply born a champion. She was built. The girl who arrived early An's story began in Gwangju, South Korea, where badminton entered her life at a young age. She followed her father's passion for the sport and quickly discovered that what started as an introduction could become an obsession. The progression was remarkably fast. At just 13, she was already competing internationally. By 2015 and 2016, she was collecting junior titles and establishing herself as one of Korea's most exciting young prospects. Then came 2017. At 15, An became the first middle-school student to make South Korea's senior national badminton team. That achievement alone tells a story. Most teenagers at that age are still trying to understand their own game. An was being thrown into an environment filled with established international players. She did not immediately dominate. And that was important. The early years exposed her to a level of badminton where talent was not enough. She had to learn how to deal with stronger opponents, longer rallies, pressure situations and the psychological demands of competing against players who had spent years at the top. Her first senior international title eventually came at the 2018 Irish Open. A year later, everything accelerated. 2019: The world started noticing The New Zealand Open became the first major sign that An was ready for something bigger. She defeated China's Li Xuerui, the 2012 Olympic champion, in the final. It was not simply another trophy. It was a statement. An went on to win the Canada Open, Akita Masters, French Open and Korea Masters in 2019. Her ranking surged into the world's top 10 and the BWF named her the Most Promising Player of the Year. Suddenly, the teenager from Gwangju was no longer a prospect. She was a threat. But elite sport rarely follows a straight line. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted her momentum. Then came the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. An arrived in Tokyo as one of the rising names in women's badminton. But her Olympic debut ended in the quarterfinals, where she lost to China's Chen Yufei. For a young player with enormous expectations, it could have become a psychological setback. Instead, it became another layer in the making of An Se-young. She learned. She adjusted. And she kept moving. Later that year, she reached her first Super 1000 final at the Denmark Open and then produced one of the most impressive stretches of her young career at the Indonesia badminton festival in Bali. She won the Indonesia Masters. Then the Indonesia Open. Then the BWF World Tour Finals. Three tournaments. Three titles. The message was becoming impossible to ignore. An Se-young was coming. The knee that changed everything In October 2023, during the Asian Games final against Chen Yufei, An suffered a serious injury to her right knee. She still won. She effectively finished the match while compromised physically, producing one of the defining acts of resilience in her career. But the victory came at a cost. The injury threatened everything that was supposed to come next. Paris was less than a year away. The Olympics had always been one of the ultimate targets. Now, suddenly, the question was not whether An could win Olympic gold. It was whether she would even be able to arrive in Paris at full strength. The months that followed were filled with uncertainty. She returned to competition but was not always the same player. There were lingering problems with her knee, questions over her fitness and legitimate doubts about whether the world's best women's singles player could reach the biggest stage at her best. An, however, kept going. That became the recurring theme of her career. Keep going. Paris: The reward for everything before it On August 5, 2024, at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena, An Se-young stood one match away from Olympic immortality. Across the net was China's He Bingjiao. The match itself lasted less than an hour. The journey to it had lasted years. An won 21-13, 21-16. Olympic gold. For South Korea, it was the country's first women's singles badminton gold since Bang Soo-hyun won at the 1996 Atlanta Games. For An, it was something even more personal. She had become Olympic champion after spending months wondering whether her injured knee would allow her to compete at all. The celebration, however, was followed by an unexpected moment of honesty. An criticised the handling of her injury by the national team setup, saying the problem had initially been underestimated and that she had been forced to play through pain. Her comments triggered a wider conversation about South Korea's badminton system and the treatment of its athletes. It was another revealing chapter in the making of An Se-young. She was no longer simply a young athlete expected to follow the system. She had become a champion willing to challenge it. And that required another kind of courage. The champion who kept evolving The years after Paris did not make An invincible. They made her more complete. There were injuries. There were losses. There were moments when opponents found ways to push her. But the defining characteristic remained the same: An adapted. That is perhaps the most important part of her story. Her game is not built around one spectacular weapon. It is built around layers. Movement. Stamina. Defence. Shot quality. Patience. Court coverage. Mental resilience. And, increasingly, the ability to understand exactly when to accelerate. By 2026, An had become the player everyone else was studying. Yet even she arrived at the World Championships in New Delhi with another physical question hanging over her. A left-foot injury had forced her to withdraw from the Japan Open in July. She admitted that pain remained but insisted she was ready to chase another world title. She was not bluffing. New Delhi: another chapter The World Championships offered another test. An had to navigate the pressure of being the defending champion and the world's no. 1 player while carrying the expectations that come with being the favourite. In the quarterfinals, she defeated China's Han Yue 21-19, 21-12. Then came Wang Zhi Yi in the semifinals. And finally, Yamaguchi. It was an appropriate opponent for the final chapter of this particular stage of An's career. Yamaguchi had been one of the defining rivals of her rise. Their battles represented two different approaches to the same sport, speed, precision and relentless movement against an opponent whose ability to absorb pressure had become almost legendary. This time, An was better. 21-17. 21-14. World champion again. Her second world title. And another piece of history. With the victory, An now owns the four biggest individual titles available in women's badminton: the Olympics, World Championships, Asian Games and Asian Championships. But perhaps the more remarkable achievement is what those titles represent. They are not four isolated victories. They are four stages of the same transformation. The unfinished story At 24, An Se-young has already achieved what many badminton players spend their entire careers chasing. Olympic champion. Two-time world champion. Asian Games champion. Asian champion. World no. 1. Yet the most interesting part of her career may still be ahead. Because An is no longer chasing recognition. She is chasing longevity. She is chasing consistency. She is chasing the version of herself that can remain at the top even after opponents have spent years trying to decode her game.

An Se-young’s journey from teenage prodigy to Olympic and two-time world champion is a story of resilience, evolution, setbacks and greatness

Why An Se-Young is so good: The making of badminton’s relentless champion

The dignity of the world's strongest was on full display as 'Badminton Empress' An Se-young made a triumphant return from injury, clinching the 2026 BWF World Championships without dropping a single game. World no. 1 An Se-young defeated world no. 2 and defending champion Yamaguchi Akane of Japan in the women's singles final at Indira Gandhi Arena in New Delhi. She completed the 49-minute match with a commanding 2-0 victory, winning 21-17, 21-14.&nbsp;The victory saw An Se-young return to the top of the World Championships podium three years after becoming the first Korean woman to win a women's singles world title at the 2023 Copenhagen championships. She went unbeaten in games from the round of 64 through the final to claim the second world championship gold medal of her career. An Se-young had already enjoyed a remarkable 2026 campaign. She won the Malaysia Open and Indonesia Open, both Super 1000 events, as well as the India Open and Singapore Open, both Super 750 tournaments. She then added the Asian Championships title in April, completing a career Grand Slam that includes the Asian Games, World Championships, Olympics and Asian Championships.&nbsp;Her momentum was briefly interrupted by a left-foot injury. She withdrew from the Japan Open and did not compete at the China Open. Returning after approximately a month away, however, she immediately showed that her competitive edge remained intact.On her comeback at the World Championships, An Se-young defeated China's Han Wei and Wang Zi Yi in successive rounds before overcoming Yamaguchi in the final, reaffirming her position at the top of women's badminton.&nbsp;The latest victory also strengthened An Se-young's dominance over Yamaguchi. Her head-to-head record against the Japanese star now stands at 20 wins and 15 losses. She has won their last six meetings, establishing herself as a particularly difficult opponent for the defending champion. The opening game developed into a fierce contest. An Se-young held an 11-8 advantage at the interval, but Yamaguchi continued to apply pressure and eventually moved ahead 16-15.&nbsp;An Se-young responded at precisely the right moment. Trailing 16-17, she produced five consecutive points through sharp half smashes and incisive attacking play, taking the first game 21-17. Yamaguchi started the second game strongly, taking the first three points. An Se-young quickly adjusted, using precise net play and her trademark defense to regain control. She moved ahead 7-6 and reached the interval with an 11-7 lead.&nbsp;Yamaguchi fought back to make it 11-10, but An Se-young remained composed through a series of demanding rallies. She stretched her advantage to 18-13, forcing Yamaguchi to expend more energy and gradually taking control of the match. An Se-young closed out the second game 21-14 to complete a straight-games victory. She celebrated the title by throwing her racket into the air in triumph.&nbsp;The perfect comeback marks another major milestone in An Se-young's already historic season. After completing her September schedule at the China Masters, a Super 750 event, she is expected to turn her attention to the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which begin on September 19. An Se-young will aim to defend her women's singles and team titles at the Asian Games and continue what has become one of the most dominant seasons in modern women's badminton.

An Se-young defeated Yamaguchi Akane 2-0 to win the 2026 BWF World Championships, reclaiming the women's singles crown in a perfect comeback

The dignity of the world's strongest was on full display as 'Badminton Empress' An Se-young made a triumphant return from injury, clinching the 2026 BWF World Championships without dropping a single game. World no. 1 An Se-young defeated world no. 2 and defending champion Yamaguchi Akane of Japan in the women's singles final at Indira Gandhi Arena in New Delhi. She completed the 49-minute match with a commanding 2-0 victory, winning 21-17, 21-14. The victory saw An Se-young return to the top of the World Championships podium three years after becoming the first Korean woman to win a women's singles world title at the 2023 Copenhagen championships. She went unbeaten in games from the round of 64 through the final to claim the second world championship gold medal of her career. An Se-young had already enjoyed a remarkable 2026 campaign. She won the Malaysia Open and Indonesia Open, both Super 1000 events, as well as the India Open and Singapore Open, both Super 750 tournaments. She then added the Asian Championships title in April, completing a career Grand Slam that includes the Asian Games, World Championships, Olympics and Asian Championships. Her momentum was briefly interrupted by a left-foot injury. She withdrew from the Japan Open and did not compete at the China Open. Returning after approximately a month away, however, she immediately showed that her competitive edge remained intact. On her comeback at the World Championships, An Se-young defeated China's Han Wei and Wang Zi Yi in successive rounds before overcoming Yamaguchi in the final, reaffirming her position at the top of women's badminton. The latest victory also strengthened An Se-young's dominance over Yamaguchi. Her head-to-head record against the Japanese star now stands at 20 wins and 15 losses. She has won their last six meetings, establishing herself as a particularly difficult opponent for the defending champion. The opening game developed into a fierce contest. An Se-young held an 11-8 advantage at the interval, but Yamaguchi continued to apply pressure and eventually moved ahead 16-15. An Se-young responded at precisely the right moment. Trailing 16-17, she produced five consecutive points through sharp half smashes and incisive attacking play, taking the first game 21-17. Yamaguchi started the second game strongly, taking the first three points. An Se-young quickly adjusted, using precise net play and her trademark defense to regain control. She moved ahead 7-6 and reached the interval with an 11-7 lead. Yamaguchi fought back to make it 11-10, but An Se-young remained composed through a series of demanding rallies. She stretched her advantage to 18-13, forcing Yamaguchi to expend more energy and gradually taking control of the match. An Se-young closed out the second game 21-14 to complete a straight-games victory. She celebrated the title by throwing her racket into the air in triumph. The perfect comeback marks another major milestone in An Se-young's already historic season. After completing her September schedule at the China Masters, a Super 750 event, she is expected to turn her attention to the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which begin on September 19. An Se-young will aim to defend her women's singles and team titles at the Asian Games and continue what has become one of the most dominant seasons in modern women's badminton.

An Se-young reclaimed the 2026 World Championship title, defeating Yamaguchi 2-0 without dropping a game after returning from a foot injury

Crowd favourite An Se-Young clinches her second title at BWF World Championships

Alex Lanier has etched his name into badminton history, becoming the first Frenchman to win the men’s singles title at the BWF World Championships after a commanding straight-games victory over Japan’s Kodai Naraoka on Sunday. The 21-year-old ninth seed delivered a dominant performance at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, defeating 10th-seeded Naraoka 21-11, 21-11 in around 50 minutes to secure his maiden world title.&nbsp;Lanier controlled the contest from the opening exchanges, combining aggressive attacking badminton with outstanding court coverage. His pace and precision left Naraoka struggling to find a way back into the match. The victory capped a remarkable breakthrough for Lanier, who had never previously reached a World Championships final. After becoming the first Frenchman to reach the men’s singles final at the tournament, he went one step further by becoming France’s first world champion in the discipline.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bwf-world-championships-french-pair-gicquel-and-delrue-crowned-world-champions-in-mixed-doubles-1787478941139">BWF World Championships: French pair Gicquel and Delrue crowned world champions in mixed doubles</a><h2>Lanier's remarkable road to the title</h2>Lanier’s path to the championship was far from easy. He dropped only two games throughout the tournament, both during three-game victories in the knockout stages. In the semifinal, Lanier showed tremendous resilience against Canada’s Victor Lai. After losing the opening game, the Frenchman recovered strongly to win 16-21, 21-13, 21-14 and book his place in the final.&nbsp;The quarterfinal presented another major challenge as Lanier faced defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand. He again had to come from behind after losing the first game and falling behind early in the second. Lanier responded with another impressive comeback, winning 19-21, 21-16, 21-16. France’s badminton federation described the performance as another major step in his breakthrough campaign.<h2>No drama in the final</h2>There was no such drama in the championship match. Lanier immediately imposed his pace and attacking style, preventing Naraoka from settling into his rhythm. The Frenchman controlled the rallies, moved efficiently around the court and consistently applied pressure. Naraoka, a former World Championships finalist, struggled to match Lanier’s intensity as the ninth seed maintained control throughout both games.&nbsp;Lanier eventually closed out the final with identical 21-11 scores, completing a historic victory and securing France’s first-ever men’s singles world title. At just 21, Lanier’s triumph marks a stunning arrival on badminton’s biggest stage and could signal the beginning of a new era for French badminton.<h2>‘Today is the day for France’</h2>Alex Lanier’s remarkable three-month run reached its biggest milestone as the Frenchman clinched World Championships gold, capping a period that has already included a silver medal at the Thomas Cup and a Singapore Open title. For Lanier, however, the achievement was about much more than adding another major trophy to his collection. The world title, he believes, was a moment for French badminton as a whole.&nbsp;“Today it was the day for French badminton and it was a day for the whole staff also,” Lanier said after his triumph. “I didn't feel that I won for me today compared to the days before or yesterday where I felt it was definitely for me. Today it was the day for French, for France.” Lanier admitted that winning a World Championships title in men’s singles requires a huge physical and mental commitment, but credited the preparation behind the scenes for helping him navigate the pressure.&nbsp;“I think we worked a lot. It's never easy in men's singles to win the title. It's also extremely tough mentally and physically,” he said.“All the weeks are different, but I think especially for that tournament we prepared extremely well. We trusted that I had the tools and I needed to use the tools and I think I'm also proud about that win.” His Singapore Open triumph earlier in the year also played an important role in preparing him for the challenges that eventually came at the World Championships. Lanier said the experience of dealing with difficult wind conditions and pressure situations in Singapore proved invaluable.&nbsp;“Definitely Singapore was important for me to win, but also I think I learned from that tournament that I won early in the year,” he explained. “I got a lot of experience with the wind conditions and how to manage all these tough moments. And definitely I used all the experience for that tournament also.”&nbsp;The World title is the culmination of a journey that began when Lanier was still a child picking up a badminton racket simply for the joy of playing. Looking back, the Frenchman said he never imagined such a moment when he was three years old. His approach to the sport, however, has remained rooted in enjoyment even as his ambitions grew. “I was a little bit younger. I mean, at three years old I was not thinking about anything. I was just trying to enjoy on court,” Lanier said.&nbsp;“I think badminton should be something that you share first, something that you enjoy first. And then obviously, if you want to become one of the best, then you need to work. But I think it's still a game, you know, it's still something that everyone should appreciate.” Lanier’s victory could also prove significant for badminton in France, a country that has traditionally not enjoyed the same status in the sport as powerhouses such as China and South Korea.&nbsp;The newly crowned world champion hopes his success can help take the sport to an even bigger audience back home. “Badminton is getting stronger and also more famous in France, so I believe more people are going to watch, more people are going to know badminton,” he said.&nbsp;“I think it's going to be a little bit of a storm in France for a few days, few weeks. But yeah, I enjoy and I think it's also our world to make it bigger, I mean make badminton bigger in France.” Despite enduring the physical demands of a World Championships final, Lanier insisted he still had plenty left in the tank when the match ended.&nbsp;“I can play one more set definitely,” he said with a smile. “I didn't feel (tired) on court. I felt more excited and I trusted the physicality and I trusted that, yeah, I could play long, long.” Now, as France celebrates its newest badminton hero, Lanier knows that his historic triumph could open the door to something even bigger, not just for himself, but for the sport he hopes will continue to grow in his country. For one golden day, at least, French badminton stood at the very top of the world.

Alex Lanier made history by becoming the first Frenchman to win the BWF World Championships men's singles title, defeating Kodai Naraoka 21-11, 21-11

Alex Lanier has etched his name into badminton history, becoming the first Frenchman to win the men’s singles title at the BWF World Championships after a commanding straight-games victory over Japan’s Kodai Naraoka on Sunday. The 21-year-old ninth seed delivered a dominant performance at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, defeating 10th-seeded Naraoka 21-11, 21-11 in around 50 minutes to secure his maiden world title. Lanier controlled the contest from the opening exchanges, combining aggressive attacking badminton with outstanding court coverage. His pace and precision left Naraoka struggling to find a way back into the match. The victory capped a remarkable breakthrough for Lanier, who had never previously reached a World Championships final. After becoming the first Frenchman to reach the men’s singles final at the tournament, he went one step further by becoming France’s first world champion in the discipline. Also Read: BWF World Championships: French pair Gicquel and Delrue crowned world champions in mixed doubles Lanier's remarkable road to the title Lanier’s path to the championship was far from easy. He dropped only two games throughout the tournament, both during three-game victories in the knockout stages. In the semifinal, Lanier showed tremendous resilience against Canada’s Victor Lai. After losing the opening game, the Frenchman recovered strongly to win 16-21, 21-13, 21-14 and book his place in the final. The quarterfinal presented another major challenge as Lanier faced defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand. He again had to come from behind after losing the first game and falling behind early in the second. Lanier responded with another impressive comeback, winning 19-21, 21-16, 21-16. France’s badminton federation described the performance as another major step in his breakthrough campaign. No drama in the final There was no such drama in the championship match. Lanier immediately imposed his pace and attacking style, preventing Naraoka from settling into his rhythm. The Frenchman controlled the rallies, moved efficiently around the court and consistently applied pressure. Naraoka, a former World Championships finalist, struggled to match Lanier’s intensity as the ninth seed maintained control throughout both games. Lanier eventually closed out the final with identical 21-11 scores, completing a historic victory and securing France’s first-ever men’s singles world title. At just 21, Lanier’s triumph marks a stunning arrival on badminton’s biggest stage and could signal the beginning of a new era for French badminton. ‘Today is the day for France’ Alex Lanier’s remarkable three-month run reached its biggest milestone as the Frenchman clinched World Championships gold, capping a period that has already included a silver medal at the Thomas Cup and a Singapore Open title. For Lanier, however, the achievement was about much more than adding another major trophy to his collection. The world title, he believes, was a moment for French badminton as a whole. “Today it was the day for French badminton and it was a day for the whole staff also,” Lanier said after his triumph. “I didn't feel that I won for me today compared to the days before or yesterday where I felt it was definitely for me. Today it was the day for French, for France.” Lanier admitted that winning a World Championships title in men’s singles requires a huge physical and mental commitment, but credited the preparation behind the scenes for helping him navigate the pressure. “I think we worked a lot. It's never easy in men's singles to win the title. It's also extremely tough mentally and physically,” he said. “All the weeks are different, but I think especially for that tournament we prepared extremely well. We trusted that I had the tools and I needed to use the tools and I think I'm also proud about that win.” His Singapore Open triumph earlier in the year also played an important role in preparing him for the challenges that eventually came at the World Championships. Lanier said the experience of dealing with difficult wind conditions and pressure situations in Singapore proved invaluable. “Definitely Singapore was important for me to win, but also I think I learned from that tournament that I won early in the year,” he explained. “I got a lot of experience with the wind conditions and how to manage all these tough moments. And definitely I used all the experience for that tournament also.” The World title is the culmination of a journey that began when Lanier was still a child picking up a badminton racket simply for the joy of playing. Looking back, the Frenchman said he never imagined such a moment when he was three years old. His approach to the sport, however, has remained rooted in enjoyment even as his ambitions grew. “I was a little bit younger. I mean, at three years old I was not thinking about anything. I was just trying to enjoy on court,” Lanier said. “I think badminton should be something that you share first, something that you enjoy first. And then obviously, if you want to become one of the best, then you need to work. But I think it's still a game, you know, it's still something that everyone should appreciate.” Lanier’s victory could also prove significant for badminton in France, a country that has traditionally not enjoyed the same status in the sport as powerhouses such as China and South Korea. The newly crowned world champion hopes his success can help take the sport to an even bigger audience back home. “Badminton is getting stronger and also more famous in France, so I believe more people are going to watch, more people are going to know badminton,” he said. “I think it's going to be a little bit of a storm in France for a few days, few weeks. But yeah, I enjoy and I think it's also our world to make it bigger, I mean make badminton bigger in France.” Despite enduring the physical demands of a World Championships final, Lanier insisted he still had plenty left in the tank when the match ended. “I can play one more set definitely,” he said with a smile. “I didn't feel (tired) on court. I felt more excited and I trusted the physicality and I trusted that, yeah, I could play long, long.” Now, as France celebrates its newest badminton hero, Lanier knows that his historic triumph could open the door to something even bigger, not just for himself, but for the sport he hopes will continue to grow in his country. For one golden day, at least, French badminton stood at the very top of the world.

Alex Lanier made history as the first Frenchman to win the BWF World Championships men's singles title after beating Kodai Naraoka 21-11, 21-11

Viva la France! Alex Lanier makes history with maiden title at BWF World Championships

Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue have written a new chapter in French badminton history, defeating world no. 1 Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping in a thrilling three-set battle, 22-20, 19-21, 21-15. Partners for around a decade, the French duo produced one of the biggest wins of their careers against opponents who had beaten them in all four of their previous meetings. This time, however, Gicquel and Delrue controlled much of the contest and held their nerve when it mattered most.&nbsp;The opening game was fiercely contested, with neither pair able to establish a significant advantage. After a superb rally finished by Gicquel gave the French pair their first game point, a Chinese mistake handed them the second opportunity they needed to take the opening set 22-20. Feng and Huang responded strongly in the second game. The Chinese pair raced into a 12-8 lead as the intensity increased, keeping the French duo at arm's length for much of the set. Gicquel and Delrue had an opportunity to draw level at 19-18 but could not take it, allowing their opponents to force a deciding game with a 21-19 victory.&nbsp;The French pair, though, showed no signs of being affected by the setback. They made a brilliant start to the third game and quickly established a lead. Despite persistent efforts from the Chinese world no. 1 to fight their way back, Gicquel and Delrue remained composed and closed out the match 21-15. Their remarkable run had already begun the previous day, when they defeated another Chinese combination, Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin. They also benefited from the quarterfinal withdrawal of Thailand's Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran, the world no. 4 pair, meaning the French duo effectively cleared three of the world's top four combinations on their way through the tournament.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-leg-spinner-karn-sharma-retires-from-all-forms-of-cricket-1787479175764">India leg-spinner Karn Sharma retires from all forms of cricket</a>&nbsp;Ranked fifth in the world, Gicquel and Delrue have now added another extraordinary achievement to an already impressive resume. Last year, they became the first French players to win a Super 1000 tournament, badminton's highest level of international competition. They also secured a bronze medal at the World Championships.&nbsp;Their success extends further back. In 2024, the French pair were crowned European champions, cementing their place among the leading mixed doubles partnerships in the sport. Their latest victory over the world's top-ranked pair is therefore more than just another tournament win, it is a landmark moment for French badminton and another milestone in the remarkable partnership of Gicquel and Delrue.<h2>'10 years ago, no French player could have thought about that'</h2>France’s men’s doubles pair celebrated a historic milestone at the BWF World Championships 2026, becoming the country’s first-ever world champions in badminton. “It’s amazing. Like 10 years ago, no French player could have thought about that,” they said, reflecting on a journey that started when they were teenagers at France’s National Centre.&nbsp;The pair, who have played together for around a decade, credited their early success in Europe, greater federation support and the professionalisation of badminton in France for helping them reach the world stage. “When we won our first Super 100 at 19, we believed that we could do something,” they recalled, adding that their confidence grew gradually after beating top-ranked opponents. Their partnership, however, was not always smooth. “At the start we were not talking at all for the first three or four years,” they admitted. Coaching and mental training eventually helped them communicate better and understand each other.Now, they hope their historic triumph can push badminton further into the spotlight in France.&nbsp;“We are really good in so many sports that I think a lot of people will start to follow us and follow badminton, so that’s amazing,” they said. Their celebration will begin in Hong Kong, with the newly crowned world champions joking that there will be “good food and good drinks” before they return home to a sport that they hope will now attract thousands of new fans.

Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue defeat world no. 1 Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping in three sets to make French badminton history

Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue have written a new chapter in French badminton history, defeating world no. 1 Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping in a thrilling three-set battle, 22-20, 19-21, 21-15. Partners for around a decade, the French duo produced one of the biggest wins of their careers against opponents who had beaten them in all four of their previous meetings. This time, however, Gicquel and Delrue controlled much of the contest and held their nerve when it mattered most. The opening game was fiercely contested, with neither pair able to establish a significant advantage. After a superb rally finished by Gicquel gave the French pair their first game point, a Chinese mistake handed them the second opportunity they needed to take the opening set 22-20. Feng and Huang responded strongly in the second game. The Chinese pair raced into a 12-8 lead as the intensity increased, keeping the French duo at arm's length for much of the set. Gicquel and Delrue had an opportunity to draw level at 19-18 but could not take it, allowing their opponents to force a deciding game with a 21-19 victory. The French pair, though, showed no signs of being affected by the setback. They made a brilliant start to the third game and quickly established a lead. Despite persistent efforts from the Chinese world no. 1 to fight their way back, Gicquel and Delrue remained composed and closed out the match 21-15. Their remarkable run had already begun the previous day, when they defeated another Chinese combination, Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin. They also benefited from the quarterfinal withdrawal of Thailand's Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran, the world no. 4 pair, meaning the French duo effectively cleared three of the world's top four combinations on their way through the tournament. Also Read: India leg-spinner Karn Sharma retires from all forms of cricket Ranked fifth in the world, Gicquel and Delrue have now added another extraordinary achievement to an already impressive resume. Last year, they became the first French players to win a Super 1000 tournament, badminton's highest level of international competition. They also secured a bronze medal at the World Championships. Their success extends further back. In 2024, the French pair were crowned European champions, cementing their place among the leading mixed doubles partnerships in the sport. Their latest victory over the world's top-ranked pair is therefore more than just another tournament win, it is a landmark moment for French badminton and another milestone in the remarkable partnership of Gicquel and Delrue. '10 years ago, no French player could have thought about that' France’s men’s doubles pair celebrated a historic milestone at the BWF World Championships 2026, becoming the country’s first-ever world champions in badminton. “It’s amazing. Like 10 years ago, no French player could have thought about that,” they said, reflecting on a journey that started when they were teenagers at France’s National Centre. The pair, who have played together for around a decade, credited their early success in Europe, greater federation support and the professionalisation of badminton in France for helping them reach the world stage. “When we won our first Super 100 at 19, we believed that we could do something,” they recalled, adding that their confidence grew gradually after beating top-ranked opponents. Their partnership, however, was not always smooth. “At the start we were not talking at all for the first three or four years,” they admitted. Coaching and mental training eventually helped them communicate better and understand each other. Now, they hope their historic triumph can push badminton further into the spotlight in France. “We are really good in so many sports that I think a lot of people will start to follow us and follow badminton, so that’s amazing,” they said. Their celebration will begin in Hong Kong, with the newly crowned world champions joking that there will be “good food and good drinks” before they return home to a sport that they hope will now attract thousands of new fans.

French duo Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue stun world no. 1 Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping to make French badminton history at the BWF World Championships

BWF World Championships: French pair Gicquel and Delrue crowned world champions in mixed doubles

Defending champion Akane Yamaguchi moved one step closer to a fourth badminton world championship title after defeating Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong in straight games on Saturday at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. The Japanese star won 21-12, 21-17, producing a dominant display in the opening game before being pushed harder in the second.&nbsp;&nbsp;Yamaguchi’s composure and experience ultimately proved decisive as she secured her place in the world championship final for the fourth time. Chochuwong had advanced to the semifinals after receiving a walkover in the quarterfinal when Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara withdrew with a knee injury. “I don’t look back at the previous wins that much, but yeah, it is amazing that I am here today and looking forward to enjoy the final," said Yamaguchi.&nbsp;Yamaguchi will now face top-ranked An Se-young in a blockbuster women’s singles final. The reigning Olympic champion and top seed overcame China’s world no. 3 Wang Zhi Yi 24-22, 21-16 in a 61-minute semifinal. An was forced to fight hard against a determined Wang, particularly in a tense opening game. Both players appeared to tire in the humid Delhi conditions during the second game, but An’s resilience helped her pull away and keep her bid for a second world championship gold medal alive.&nbsp;An Se-young admitted fatigue played a major role in her hard-fought semifinal victory over Wang Zhi Yi, saying the long rallies left both players exhausted. “I was only concentrating on recovering faster while breathing.” The world no. 1 said she focused on staying safe and composed during the demanding exchanges with Wang. “I was more focused on playing safely so that I can win the match.” With Akane Yamaguchi awaiting her in the final, An said she would concentrate on finding her rhythm quickly and staying focused on her own game. “I just focus on myself and do my best.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/us-open-2026-carlos-alcaraz-and-serena-williams-pair-up-for-mixed-doubles-1787421276044">US Open 2026: Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams pair up for mixed doubles</a><h2>Lanier makes history for France</h2>In the men’s singles competition, France’s Alex Lanier reached his first world championship final after overcoming Canada’s Victor Lai 16-21, 21-13, 21-14 in an intense semi-final lasting one hour and 25 minutes. The ninth-seeded Lanier, already assured of becoming the first Frenchman to win a world championship medal after his quarter-final victory, had to recover from losing the opening game.&nbsp;Lai started strongly and raced to a 7-0 lead, but Lanier refused to surrender and forced his opponent to work for every point. The 21-year-old Frenchman then raised his level in the second game as Lai appeared to lose some of his energy. Lanier took advantage of the momentum shift, controlled the decisive game and sealed victory with a series of impressive winners. He dropped to his knees in celebration after securing his place in the final.&nbsp;France had already enjoyed another landmark result earlier in the day when mixed doubles pair Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue defeated China’s Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin in their semifinal. Lanier will face Japan’s Kodai Naraoka for the men’s singles world title. Naraoka recovered from losing the opening game to beat Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chien 17-21, 21-11, 21-10. Chou looked increasingly fatigued in the deciding game, allowing Naraoka to take control and reach his first world championship final.

Akane Yamaguchi faces An Se-young in the badminton world championship final, while France’s Alex Lanier reaches his first men’s singles final

Defending champion Akane Yamaguchi moved one step closer to a fourth badminton world championship title after defeating Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong in straight games on Saturday at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. The Japanese star won 21-12, 21-17, producing a dominant display in the opening game before being pushed harder in the second. Yamaguchi’s composure and experience ultimately proved decisive as she secured her place in the world championship final for the fourth time. Chochuwong had advanced to the semifinals after receiving a walkover in the quarterfinal when Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara withdrew with a knee injury. “I don’t look back at the previous wins that much, but yeah, it is amazing that I am here today and looking forward to enjoy the final," said Yamaguchi. Yamaguchi will now face top-ranked An Se-young in a blockbuster women’s singles final. The reigning Olympic champion and top seed overcame China’s world no. 3 Wang Zhi Yi 24-22, 21-16 in a 61-minute semifinal. An was forced to fight hard against a determined Wang, particularly in a tense opening game. Both players appeared to tire in the humid Delhi conditions during the second game, but An’s resilience helped her pull away and keep her bid for a second world championship gold medal alive. An Se-young admitted fatigue played a major role in her hard-fought semifinal victory over Wang Zhi Yi, saying the long rallies left both players exhausted. “I was only concentrating on recovering faster while breathing.” The world no. 1 said she focused on staying safe and composed during the demanding exchanges with Wang. “I was more focused on playing safely so that I can win the match.” With Akane Yamaguchi awaiting her in the final, An said she would concentrate on finding her rhythm quickly and staying focused on her own game. “I just focus on myself and do my best.” Also Read: US Open 2026: Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams pair up for mixed doubles Lanier makes history for France In the men’s singles competition, France’s Alex Lanier reached his first world championship final after overcoming Canada’s Victor Lai 16-21, 21-13, 21-14 in an intense semi-final lasting one hour and 25 minutes. The ninth-seeded Lanier, already assured of becoming the first Frenchman to win a world championship medal after his quarter-final victory, had to recover from losing the opening game. Lai started strongly and raced to a 7-0 lead, but Lanier refused to surrender and forced his opponent to work for every point. The 21-year-old Frenchman then raised his level in the second game as Lai appeared to lose some of his energy. Lanier took advantage of the momentum shift, controlled the decisive game and sealed victory with a series of impressive winners. He dropped to his knees in celebration after securing his place in the final. France had already enjoyed another landmark result earlier in the day when mixed doubles pair Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue defeated China’s Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin in their semifinal. Lanier will face Japan’s Kodai Naraoka for the men’s singles world title. Naraoka recovered from losing the opening game to beat Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chien 17-21, 21-11, 21-10. Chou looked increasingly fatigued in the deciding game, allowing Naraoka to take control and reach his first world championship final.

Akane Yamaguchi will face An Se-young in the women’s final, while France’s Alex Lanier reached his first men’s world championship final and will face Kodai Naraoka in the final

BWF World Championships: Akane Yamaguchi, An Se-young set up final showdown in women's single; Alex Lanier to face Kodai Naraoka in men's single

India's Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly clinched the bronze medal at the BWF World Championships 2026 after putting up a determined fight against defending champions and world no. 1 pair Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning in the women's doubles semifinal on Saturday (August 22). The Indian duo, ranked no. 39 in the world and previously placed inside the top 10, pushed the Chinese pair hard before losing 21-18, 13-21, 8-21 in a match that lasted one hour and 11 minutes at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi.&nbsp;Their bronze medal ensured that India's remarkable record of winning at least one medal at every edition of the World Championships remained intact. Playing before an enthusiastic home crowd, Gayatri and Treesa made a strong start and stunned the defending champions by claiming the opening game. Treesa spearheaded India's attacking play, producing powerful smashes from both the front and rear court. Gayatri complemented her partner with quick movement, precise control and effective midcourt play.&nbsp;The Indians displayed excellent composure in the first game. Trailing 15-18, they produced a stunning comeback by winning six consecutive points to take the game 21-18. Liu and Tan, however, responded decisively in the second game. The Chinese pair opted for longer rallies and patiently waited for openings rather than attempting to force the pace.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/former-world-champion-boxer-zolani-tete-shot-dead-outside-his-home-in-south-africa-1787398912643">Former world champion boxer Zolani Tete shot dead outside his home in South Africa</a>&nbsp;After the score was level at 12-12, the defending champions shifted gears and reeled off eight straight points to win the second game 21-13 and level the match. The Chinese duo carried that momentum into the deciding game, taking control early and denying the Indians an opportunity to reproduce their first-game intensity. Liu and Tan eventually wrapped up the third game 21-8 to book their place in the final.&nbsp;Despite the loss, the result represents a major achievement for Gayatri and Treesa. Entering the tournament as an unseeded pair, the Indians defeated several highly ranked opponents on their path to the semi-finals. Their bronze medal further underlines the growing strength of Indian women's doubles badminton on the international stage and demonstrates that Gayatri and Treesa have the ability to compete against the world's best.

Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly win bronze at the BWF World Championships after pushing defending champions Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning in the semifinal

India's Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly clinched the bronze medal at the BWF World Championships 2026 after putting up a determined fight against defending champions and world no. 1 pair Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning in the women's doubles semifinal on Saturday (August 22). The Indian duo, ranked no. 39 in the world and previously placed inside the top 10, pushed the Chinese pair hard before losing 21-18, 13-21, 8-21 in a match that lasted one hour and 11 minutes at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi. Their bronze medal ensured that India's remarkable record of winning at least one medal at every edition of the World Championships remained intact. Playing before an enthusiastic home crowd, Gayatri and Treesa made a strong start and stunned the defending champions by claiming the opening game. Treesa spearheaded India's attacking play, producing powerful smashes from both the front and rear court. Gayatri complemented her partner with quick movement, precise control and effective midcourt play. The Indians displayed excellent composure in the first game. Trailing 15-18, they produced a stunning comeback by winning six consecutive points to take the game 21-18. Liu and Tan, however, responded decisively in the second game. The Chinese pair opted for longer rallies and patiently waited for openings rather than attempting to force the pace. Also Read: Former world champion boxer Zolani Tete shot dead outside his home in South Africa After the score was level at 12-12, the defending champions shifted gears and reeled off eight straight points to win the second game 21-13 and level the match. The Chinese duo carried that momentum into the deciding game, taking control early and denying the Indians an opportunity to reproduce their first-game intensity. Liu and Tan eventually wrapped up the third game 21-8 to book their place in the final. Despite the loss, the result represents a major achievement for Gayatri and Treesa. Entering the tournament as an unseeded pair, the Indians defeated several highly ranked opponents on their path to the semi-finals. Their bronze medal further underlines the growing strength of Indian women's doubles badminton on the international stage and demonstrates that Gayatri and Treesa have the ability to compete against the world's best.

Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly clinch bronze at the BWF World Championships after a spirited semifinal fight against China's world no. 1 pair

BWF World Championships: Treesa-Gayatri fairytale run comes to an end, settle for bronze medal

India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were knocked out of the BWF World Championships 2026 after suffering a straight-game defeat to China’s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang in the men’s doubles quarterfinals in New Delhi on Friday (August 21). Playing in front of a home crowd, the Indian pair went down 18-21, 9-21 as Liang and Wang delivered a composed and clinical performance to secure their place in the semifinals.&nbsp;Satwik and Chirag started the contest strongly and stayed close to their Chinese opponents throughout the opening game. The Indians led 18-16 and appeared to be in control, but Liang and Wang responded with five consecutive points to turn the game around and take it 21-18. The Chinese duo carried that momentum into the second game, quickly taking control of the proceedings. They led 11-5 at the interval and continued to extend their advantage as the Indian pair struggled to regain their rhythm.&nbsp;Satwik and Chirag committed several errors, particularly around the net, while Liang and Wang remained calm and capitalised on the mistakes. The Chinese pair eventually wrapped up the second game 21-9 to seal a place in the last four. Satwik’s shoulder issue also appeared to hamper the Indian pair during the match, restricting some of the shots he was able to play. The quarterfinal initially developed into a closely fought battle, with neither pair managing to establish a substantial advantage. The Indians held an 11-10 lead at the mid-game interval before Liang and Wang gradually shifted the momentum in their favour.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/diamond-league-2026-live-when-and-where-to-watch-neeraj-chopra-s-javelin-event-1787314132744">Diamond League 2026 Live: When and where to watch Neeraj Chopra’s javelin event</a>&nbsp;Despite the defeat, Satwik and Chirag produced a strong campaign at the home World Championships, reaching the quarterfinal stage before their run came to an end. While Liang and Wang advanced to the semifinals, attention will now turn to Satwik’s shoulder and his recovery following the physically demanding contest.&nbsp;Earlier, India’s women’s doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand produced a stunning comeback victory over China’s Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian to storm into the semifinals of the BWF World Championships 2026. Treesa and Gayatri recovered after losing the opening game to register a 16-21, 21-15, 21-13 victory in a contest that lasted more than 70 minutes. The win assured the Indian duo of at least a bronze medal and marked another impressive performance by India’s women’s doubles combination on home soil.

Satwik-Chirag lose to Liang-Wang in the BWF World Championships quarterfinals, while Treesa-Gayatri enter the semifinals after a stunning comeback win

India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were knocked out of the BWF World Championships 2026 after suffering a straight-game defeat to China’s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang in the men’s doubles quarterfinals in New Delhi on Friday (August 21). Playing in front of a home crowd, the Indian pair went down 18-21, 9-21 as Liang and Wang delivered a composed and clinical performance to secure their place in the semifinals. Satwik and Chirag started the contest strongly and stayed close to their Chinese opponents throughout the opening game. The Indians led 18-16 and appeared to be in control, but Liang and Wang responded with five consecutive points to turn the game around and take it 21-18. The Chinese duo carried that momentum into the second game, quickly taking control of the proceedings. They led 11-5 at the interval and continued to extend their advantage as the Indian pair struggled to regain their rhythm. Satwik and Chirag committed several errors, particularly around the net, while Liang and Wang remained calm and capitalised on the mistakes. The Chinese pair eventually wrapped up the second game 21-9 to seal a place in the last four. Satwik’s shoulder issue also appeared to hamper the Indian pair during the match, restricting some of the shots he was able to play. The quarterfinal initially developed into a closely fought battle, with neither pair managing to establish a substantial advantage. The Indians held an 11-10 lead at the mid-game interval before Liang and Wang gradually shifted the momentum in their favour. Also Read: Diamond League 2026 Live: When and where to watch Neeraj Chopra’s javelin event Despite the defeat, Satwik and Chirag produced a strong campaign at the home World Championships, reaching the quarterfinal stage before their run came to an end. While Liang and Wang advanced to the semifinals, attention will now turn to Satwik’s shoulder and his recovery following the physically demanding contest. Earlier, India’s women’s doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand produced a stunning comeback victory over China’s Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian to storm into the semifinals of the BWF World Championships 2026. Treesa and Gayatri recovered after losing the opening game to register a 16-21, 21-15, 21-13 victory in a contest that lasted more than 70 minutes. The win assured the Indian duo of at least a bronze medal and marked another impressive performance by India’s women’s doubles combination on home soil.

Satwik-Chirag exit World Championships after losing to Liang-Wang, while Treesa-Gayatri beat China to enter the semifinals and secure a medal

BWF World Championships: Satwik-Chirag suffer heartbreaking loss in quarterfinals to Chinese pair

Rio Olympics bronze medallist Nozomi Okuhara has revealed that she was forced to withdraw from her BWF World Championships quarterfinal against Pornpawee Chochuwong after pain from surgery she underwent last month became too difficult to manage. The 31-year-old Japanese shuttler had battled through a three-game match against USA’s Ishika Jaiswal in the previous round. The 57-minute contest appeared to have taken a physical toll on Okuhara, who was unable to continue in the quarterfinal.&nbsp;Okuhara had already given a walkover to double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu in the quarterfinals of the Japan Open last month before undergoing surgery on July 22. Despite having just over a month to recover, she was determined to make it to the World Championships. “Since it was decided that I would undergo surgery on July 22, I have been aiming to step onto the court at this tournament," Okuhara tweeted on Friday morning.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">7月22日に手術をすることになってから、今大会コートに立つことを目標にして来ました。怖さとの戦い、様々な葛藤がありましたが、ここまで夢のような時間を過ごせました。今日もコートに立ちたかったですが、叶わずとても残念です。また次へ向けて。応援ありがとうございました。 <a href="https://t.co/lDrDUWcoAD">pic.twitter.com/lDrDUWcoAD</a>&mdash; Okuhara Nozomi 奥原 希望　バドミントン選手 (@nozomi_o11) <a href="https://x.com/nozomi_o11/status/2090684022582341941?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

However, the lingering pain ultimately forced her to withdraw, handing Chochuwong a place in the semifinals and guaranteeing the Thai shuttler her maiden World Championships medal. Chochuwong is expected to meet second seed Akane Yamaguchi in the last four. Okuhara had enjoyed a strong run earlier this season, reaching the Australian Open semifinals in June before winning the Orleans Masters in March.&nbsp;The Japanese star has two World Championships medals to her name. She won gold at the 2017 Glasgow edition and claimed silver at the 2019 tournament in Basel. Okuhara entered the 2018 World Championships in Nanjing as the defending champion but saw her title defence end in the quarterfinals against Sindhu. The Indian defeated Okuhara in straight games, reversing the result from their memorable 2017 final.&nbsp;Okuhara had won her first BWF World Tour title at the Thailand Open Super 500, defeating Sindhu 21-15, 21-18. At the 2019 World Championships, where she was seeded third, Okuhara defeated He Bingjiao and Ratchanok Intanon to reach the final once again, setting up another showdown with Sindhu.&nbsp;The rematch of the 2017 World Championships final ended in a one-sided defeat for Okuhara, as Sindhu won 21-7, 21-7 to claim the title and leave the Japanese player with silver. Okuhara later added another major achievement to her resume by winning her second All England Open title in 2021, five years after her first triumph in 2016. She defeated Chochuwong in the final to lift the prestigious trophy.

Nozomi Okuhara withdraws from the BWF World Championships quarterfinal against Pornpawee Chochuwong after pain from surgery forced her to quit

Rio Olympics bronze medallist Nozomi Okuhara has revealed that she was forced to withdraw from her BWF World Championships quarterfinal against Pornpawee Chochuwong after pain from surgery she underwent last month became too difficult to manage. The 31-year-old Japanese shuttler had battled through a three-game match against USA’s Ishika Jaiswal in the previous round. The 57-minute contest appeared to have taken a physical toll on Okuhara, who was unable to continue in the quarterfinal. Okuhara had already given a walkover to double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu in the quarterfinals of the Japan Open last month before undergoing surgery on July 22. Despite having just over a month to recover, she was determined to make it to the World Championships. “Since it was decided that I would undergo surgery on July 22, I have been aiming to step onto the court at this tournament," Okuhara tweeted on Friday morning.

Nozomi Okuhara withdrew from her World Championships quarterfinal against Pornpawee Chochuwong after pain from recent surgery forced her to quit

'Battle against fear': Nozomi Okuhara reveals painful reason behind withdrawal from BWF World Championships

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand continued their remarkable underdog run at the BWF World Championships 2026, securing India’s first medal of the tournament with a stunning comeback win over fourth seeds Zhang Shuxian and Jia Yifan. The Indian pair recovered from losing the opening game to defeat the Chinese duo 16-21, 21-15, 21-13 in a thrilling quarterfinal at the Indira Gandhi Arena. With the win, Treesa and Gayatri booked their place in the semifinals and guaranteed India a medal on home soil.&nbsp;It was a performance defined by belief, composure and fighting spirit. Zhang and Jia showed why they are among the world’s elite, particularly in the opening game, but the Indian pair refused to allow the Chinese shuttlers to dictate the contest. The first game proved to be a battle of momentum. Treesa and Gayatri struggled to find their rhythm early on as Zhang and Jia established a healthy lead. The Indians, however, slowly fought their way back and reduced the deficit to 14-16, bringing the packed arena firmly into the contest.&nbsp;The Chinese pair responded at the crucial stage, regaining control of the rallies to close out the opening game 21-16. The second game started with Zhang and Jia once again taking the initiative, racing to a 5-1 lead. Their combination of powerful smashes, clever drop shots and deceptive flicks created problems for the Indians. But Treesa and Gayatri refused to let the gap widen. They steadily chipped away at the deficit, moving to within one point at 5-6 before drawing level at 10-10.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bwf-world-championships-2026-the-wisest-thing-to-do-anders-antonsen-sticks-to-game-by-game-approach-1787247952481">BWF World Championships 2026: ‘The wisest thing to do’: Anders Antonsen sticks to game-by-game approach</a>&nbsp;For the first time in the match, the Indian pair then moved ahead, making it 11-10. The momentum had shifted. With the home crowd roaring behind them, Treesa and Gayatri began playing with greater authority. Their attacking game became increasingly effective, while their composure under pressure stood out during the closing stages. They maintained their advantage to win the second game 21-15 and force a decider.&nbsp;The third game followed a similar pattern. Zhang and Jia made the early running, but Treesa and Gayatri quickly responded to level the score at 4-4. From there, the Indians took control. Fueled by the deafening support from the stands, Treesa and Gayatri surged ahead 8-4 before reaching the interval with an impressive 11-5 lead. Their defensive resilience and attacking intent kept the Chinese pair under constant pressure. The Indian duo continued to dictate the rallies and stretched their advantage to 17-9. At that stage, the pressure was firmly on the fourth seeds, who struggled to find a way back into the contest.&nbsp;Treesa and Gayatri kept their nerve through the closing points to complete a memorable 21-13 win in the decider. The victory was more than just a place in the semi-finals. It guaranteed India its first medal at the BWF World Championships 2026 and marked another significant milestone in the rise of Treesa and Gayatri.&nbsp;Playing in front of a packed home crowd at the Indira Gandhi Arena, the young Indian pair produced one of their biggest performances on the world stage. They were tested repeatedly, fell behind on multiple occasions and yet found a response every time. For an Indian team looking to keep its medal streak alive, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand have delivered a moment to savour, and their underdog story is not over yet.

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand beat Zhang Shuxian and Jia Yifan 16-21, 21-15, 21-13 to seal India’s first medal at BWF World Championships 2026

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand continued their remarkable underdog run at the BWF World Championships 2026, securing India’s first medal of the tournament with a stunning comeback win over fourth seeds Zhang Shuxian and Jia Yifan. The Indian pair recovered from losing the opening game to defeat the Chinese duo 16-21, 21-15, 21-13 in a thrilling quarterfinal at the Indira Gandhi Arena. With the win, Treesa and Gayatri booked their place in the semifinals and guaranteed India a medal on home soil. It was a performance defined by belief, composure and fighting spirit. Zhang and Jia showed why they are among the world’s elite, particularly in the opening game, but the Indian pair refused to allow the Chinese shuttlers to dictate the contest. The first game proved to be a battle of momentum. Treesa and Gayatri struggled to find their rhythm early on as Zhang and Jia established a healthy lead. The Indians, however, slowly fought their way back and reduced the deficit to 14-16, bringing the packed arena firmly into the contest. The Chinese pair responded at the crucial stage, regaining control of the rallies to close out the opening game 21-16. The second game started with Zhang and Jia once again taking the initiative, racing to a 5-1 lead. Their combination of powerful smashes, clever drop shots and deceptive flicks created problems for the Indians. But Treesa and Gayatri refused to let the gap widen. They steadily chipped away at the deficit, moving to within one point at 5-6 before drawing level at 10-10. Also Read: BWF World Championships 2026: ‘The wisest thing to do’: Anders Antonsen sticks to game-by-game approach For the first time in the match, the Indian pair then moved ahead, making it 11-10. The momentum had shifted. With the home crowd roaring behind them, Treesa and Gayatri began playing with greater authority. Their attacking game became increasingly effective, while their composure under pressure stood out during the closing stages. They maintained their advantage to win the second game 21-15 and force a decider. The third game followed a similar pattern. Zhang and Jia made the early running, but Treesa and Gayatri quickly responded to level the score at 4-4. From there, the Indians took control. Fueled by the deafening support from the stands, Treesa and Gayatri surged ahead 8-4 before reaching the interval with an impressive 11-5 lead. Their defensive resilience and attacking intent kept the Chinese pair under constant pressure. The Indian duo continued to dictate the rallies and stretched their advantage to 17-9. At that stage, the pressure was firmly on the fourth seeds, who struggled to find a way back into the contest. Treesa and Gayatri kept their nerve through the closing points to complete a memorable 21-13 win in the decider. The victory was more than just a place in the semi-finals. It guaranteed India its first medal at the BWF World Championships 2026 and marked another significant milestone in the rise of Treesa and Gayatri. Playing in front of a packed home crowd at the Indira Gandhi Arena, the young Indian pair produced one of their biggest performances on the world stage. They were tested repeatedly, fell behind on multiple occasions and yet found a response every time. For an Indian team looking to keep its medal streak alive, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand have delivered a moment to savour, and their underdog story is not over yet.

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand stunned fourth seeds Zhang Shuxian and Jia Yifan to secure India’s first medal at the BWF World Championships 2026

BWF World Championships: Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand script history, end India's 15-year wait as duo assured of medal

Anders Antonsen has no intention of getting carried away despite a major reshuffle in the men’s singles draw at the BWF World Championships. With several elite players already out of the competition, Antonsen is through to the quarterfinals after another demanding victory and is now preparing for a familiar challenge in Japan’s Kodai Naraoka. But rather than changing his approach because the draw has opened up, the Dane believes the smartest thing to do is keep things simple. “I think that would be the wisest thing to do. Stick to game by game and then see how far it can bring you,” Antonsen said after his win.&nbsp;Antonsen had endured a gruelling 100-minute battle the previous day, but his next match against Toma Junior Popov was a completely different test. “Today’s match was super different from yesterday’s match. This one was way more like fast-paced, flat play,” he said. “Toma is really good in that type of game and that's what he tried to do. So yeah, way more like fast play on the right.” The Dane was able to negotiate that challenge and now has little time to recover before facing Naraoka in the last eight.&nbsp;The Japanese shuttler is a familiar opponent, but Antonsen does not believe that past meetings give either player a clear advantage. “It’s a 50-50 match. We know each other very well. I have won, he has won many times. So we’ll see,” Antonsen said. The quarterfinal will also mark the first meeting between the two in some time, something Antonsen is looking forward to. “Always fun and anxious against him. And it's been a long time since we played against each other so I'm looking forward to it,” he said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bwf-world-championships-there-s-still-that-fire-inside-me-michelle-li-34-ready-for-akane-yamaguchi-challenge-1787247215337">BWF World Championships: ‘There’s still that fire inside me’: Michelle Li, 34, ready for Akane Yamaguchi challenge</a>&nbsp;With the World Championships reaching the business end, recovery has become just as important as preparation. Antonsen, however, is not planning any drastic changes to his routine. “Just sticking to whatever I do. Try to relax in between matches, get a massage, stretch, maybe some cold crunch for the body and stuff,” he said. Mental adjustments are equally important for Antonsen. When he finds himself trailing during a match, his focus is on constant evaluation rather than panic. “Constantly trying to analyse what's going on. What's going a little wrong now compared to earlier in the match and what can we change. That's constant evaluation,” he explained.&nbsp;That approach will be crucial against Naraoka, one of the players renowned for his ability to extend rallies and test an opponent physically and mentally. For Antonsen, however, there is no reason to overcomplicate the challenge. The draw may have become more open, but his philosophy remains unchanged: take it one match at a time. And with Naraoka standing between him and a place in the World Championships semifinals, the Dane knows there is little to separate the two. “It’s a 50-50 match.”

Anders Antonsen discusses his BWF World Championships run, recovery and upcoming quarterfinal against Kodai Naraoka, calling the clash a 50-50 match

Anders Antonsen has no intention of getting carried away despite a major reshuffle in the men’s singles draw at the BWF World Championships. With several elite players already out of the competition, Antonsen is through to the quarterfinals after another demanding victory and is now preparing for a familiar challenge in Japan’s Kodai Naraoka. But rather than changing his approach because the draw has opened up, the Dane believes the smartest thing to do is keep things simple. “I think that would be the wisest thing to do. Stick to game by game and then see how far it can bring you,” Antonsen said after his win. Antonsen had endured a gruelling 100-minute battle the previous day, but his next match against Toma Junior Popov was a completely different test. “Today’s match was super different from yesterday’s match. This one was way more like fast-paced, flat play,” he said. “Toma is really good in that type of game and that's what he tried to do. So yeah, way more like fast play on the right.” The Dane was able to negotiate that challenge and now has little time to recover before facing Naraoka in the last eight. The Japanese shuttler is a familiar opponent, but Antonsen does not believe that past meetings give either player a clear advantage. “It’s a 50-50 match. We know each other very well. I have won, he has won many times. So we’ll see,” Antonsen said. The quarterfinal will also mark the first meeting between the two in some time, something Antonsen is looking forward to. “Always fun and anxious against him. And it's been a long time since we played against each other so I'm looking forward to it,” he said. Also Read: BWF World Championships: ‘There’s still that fire inside me’: Michelle Li, 34, ready for Akane Yamaguchi challenge With the World Championships reaching the business end, recovery has become just as important as preparation. Antonsen, however, is not planning any drastic changes to his routine. “Just sticking to whatever I do. Try to relax in between matches, get a massage, stretch, maybe some cold crunch for the body and stuff,” he said. Mental adjustments are equally important for Antonsen. When he finds himself trailing during a match, his focus is on constant evaluation rather than panic. “Constantly trying to analyse what's going on. What's going a little wrong now compared to earlier in the match and what can we change. That's constant evaluation,” he explained. That approach will be crucial against Naraoka, one of the players renowned for his ability to extend rallies and test an opponent physically and mentally. For Antonsen, however, there is no reason to overcomplicate the challenge. The draw may have become more open, but his philosophy remains unchanged: take it one match at a time. And with Naraoka standing between him and a place in the World Championships semifinals, the Dane knows there is little to separate the two. “It’s a 50-50 match.”

Anders Antonsen expects a 50-50 battle against Kodai Naraoka as the Dane prepares for the BWF World Championships quarterfinal after two contrasting wins

BWF World Championships 2026: ‘The wisest thing to do’: Anders Antonsen sticks to game-by-game approach

Michelle Li may be 34, but the Canadian veteran insists the fire to compete, and win, is burning as brightly as ever. After battling past Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki in a three-game thriller at the BWF World Championships, Li admitted that she relishes exactly these kinds of contests: long, intense battles where momentum constantly shifts and every point becomes a test of nerve. “I enjoy every bit of it. I love the fact that it's always back and forth and there's rallies and the chess game of it, I really enjoy,” Li said after her victory.&nbsp;Li had chances to close out the match more comfortably but was forced into a tense third game after allowing Miyazaki to fight her way back. The Canadian admitted that nerves and unforced errors nearly cost her after she had built a healthy lead in the decider. “I think not letting nerves get in the way and I think clean up my own unforced errors. I think I had a very good lead in the third, but I made too many unforced errors which gave her the confidence to come back and made it a lot tighter than it needed to be,” she said.&nbsp;But rather than viewing the long match as a burden, Li sees it as an opportunity. “I don't specifically mind it, but obviously if I could win in straight, that would be really good for the confidence,” she said. “But I think being able to pull it out in three is also a good time spent on court and just more time to get used to different scenarios.” That mindset will be tested again when Li faces another Japanese opponent in the quarterfinals, former world no. 1 and two-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi.&nbsp;Li knows the challenge that awaits. “It's always a tough match against Akane. I think she's always had my number, but I think I'm not going to think too much about the past,” she said. “Obviously, tomorrow is a different day and I think I'll be ready and I'm feeling good.” Li also refused to look too far ahead, with South Korea's Sim Yu Jin another possible opponent depending on the draw and results. “It's always a tough match against Akane… I'm ready for a tough battle tomorrow and hopefully I can perform really well,” she said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bwf-world-championships-2026-i-don-t-know-if-she-was-hurt-or-it-was-her-strategy-pv-sindhu-after-defeat-to-wang-zhi-yi-1787246317366">BWF World Championships 2026: ‘I don’t know if she was hurt or it was her strategy’: PV Sindhu after defeat to Wang Zhi Yi</a>&nbsp;The Canadian heads into the quarterfinal with confidence, although she knows there are still areas she needs to sharpen. “I'm feeling confident. I think I was showing it in the third game today that I'm ready and I think I have to clean up some of my focus and nerves, but I think tomorrow I'll keep focused and do better.” At 34, Li is also enjoying a career phase that she feels is surprisingly different from where she was a decade ago. “I think right now my body feels better than it did 10 years ago which is very surprising and shocking,” she said.&nbsp;Li credited the support around her for helping her continue competing at the highest level. “I feel I have the right team and support right now that I never had since before Paris,” she said. “I'm very grateful for my club, for my team, for my therapist, for even my boyfriend. Everybody that's supporting me right now has really uplifted me and there's still that fire inside me to compete with even people that are half my age.”&nbsp;For Li, the motivation is simple: enjoy the sport while continuing to challenge herself. “I'm trying not to think too much about that and just kind of enjoy the game and just do my best,” she said. Li and fellow Canadian Victor Lai have both reached the quarterfinals, with Lai already assured of a medal. For Li, that represents a dramatic change from the Canada she represented when she first appeared at the World Championships. “You rewind that to any other world championships, you wouldn't even see a Canadian,” she said. “So it's like for me, starting from the beginning when I first played my first world championships, Canada wasn't even competitive.”&nbsp;Now, with two Canadians in the last eight, Li believes the country's rise can inspire an entirely new generation. “It really lifts the standards and it has given a lot of hope and inspiration to the next generation from Canada and that we can definitely be competitive and we can definitely change the sport globally, not just in Asia.”&nbsp;There is also another looming change that Li will have to adapt to. Asked about the proposed 15-point scoring system, she admitted she is not particularly fond of the idea. “I'm not totally fond of the 15 points, but I think we all have to adapt and I really think that the athletes will adapt and we'll find a way. But it's just a different game,” she said.&nbsp;For Li, what could be lost is the drama that comes with a long badminton battle. “The long battles is what makes it exciting. I think that's what makes it like, who's going to win? And it's just the test of the athlete's will,” she said. “When it's 15 points, sometimes it ends too quickly.” But before worrying about the future of badminton, Li has a much more immediate challenge: Yamaguchi. And after a three-game battle that tested her nerves, fitness and resilience, the Canadian veteran believes she is ready for another chess match.

Michelle Li discusses her three-game win over Tomoka Miyazaki, Canada’s historic run and her Akane Yamaguchi quarterfinal at the BWF World Championships

Michelle Li may be 34, but the Canadian veteran insists the fire to compete, and win, is burning as brightly as ever. After battling past Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki in a three-game thriller at the BWF World Championships, Li admitted that she relishes exactly these kinds of contests: long, intense battles where momentum constantly shifts and every point becomes a test of nerve. “I enjoy every bit of it. I love the fact that it's always back and forth and there's rallies and the chess game of it, I really enjoy,” Li said after her victory. Li had chances to close out the match more comfortably but was forced into a tense third game after allowing Miyazaki to fight her way back. The Canadian admitted that nerves and unforced errors nearly cost her after she had built a healthy lead in the decider. “I think not letting nerves get in the way and I think clean up my own unforced errors. I think I had a very good lead in the third, but I made too many unforced errors which gave her the confidence to come back and made it a lot tighter than it needed to be,” she said. But rather than viewing the long match as a burden, Li sees it as an opportunity. “I don't specifically mind it, but obviously if I could win in straight, that would be really good for the confidence,” she said. “But I think being able to pull it out in three is also a good time spent on court and just more time to get used to different scenarios.” That mindset will be tested again when Li faces another Japanese opponent in the quarterfinals, former world no. 1 and two-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi. Li knows the challenge that awaits. “It's always a tough match against Akane. I think she's always had my number, but I think I'm not going to think too much about the past,” she said. “Obviously, tomorrow is a different day and I think I'll be ready and I'm feeling good.” Li also refused to look too far ahead, with South Korea's Sim Yu Jin another possible opponent depending on the draw and results. “It's always a tough match against Akane… I'm ready for a tough battle tomorrow and hopefully I can perform really well,” she said. Also Read: BWF World Championships 2026: ‘I don’t know if she was hurt or it was her strategy’: PV Sindhu after defeat to Wang Zhi Yi The Canadian heads into the quarterfinal with confidence, although she knows there are still areas she needs to sharpen. “I'm feeling confident. I think I was showing it in the third game today that I'm ready and I think I have to clean up some of my focus and nerves, but I think tomorrow I'll keep focused and do better.” At 34, Li is also enjoying a career phase that she feels is surprisingly different from where she was a decade ago. “I think right now my body feels better than it did 10 years ago which is very surprising and shocking,” she said. Li credited the support around her for helping her continue competing at the highest level. “I feel I have the right team and support right now that I never had since before Paris,” she said. “I'm very grateful for my club, for my team, for my therapist, for even my boyfriend. Everybody that's supporting me right now has really uplifted me and there's still that fire inside me to compete with even people that are half my age.” For Li, the motivation is simple: enjoy the sport while continuing to challenge herself. “I'm trying not to think too much about that and just kind of enjoy the game and just do my best,” she said. Li and fellow Canadian Victor Lai have both reached the quarterfinals, with Lai already assured of a medal. For Li, that represents a dramatic change from the Canada she represented when she first appeared at the World Championships. “You rewind that to any other world championships, you wouldn't even see a Canadian,” she said. “So it's like for me, starting from the beginning when I first played my first world championships, Canada wasn't even competitive.” Now, with two Canadians in the last eight, Li believes the country's rise can inspire an entirely new generation. “It really lifts the standards and it has given a lot of hope and inspiration to the next generation from Canada and that we can definitely be competitive and we can definitely change the sport globally, not just in Asia.” There is also another looming change that Li will have to adapt to. Asked about the proposed 15-point scoring system, she admitted she is not particularly fond of the idea. “I'm not totally fond of the 15 points, but I think we all have to adapt and I really think that the athletes will adapt and we'll find a way. But it's just a different game,” she said. For Li, what could be lost is the drama that comes with a long badminton battle. “The long battles is what makes it exciting. I think that's what makes it like, who's going to win? And it's just the test of the athlete's will,” she said. “When it's 15 points, sometimes it ends too quickly.” But before worrying about the future of badminton, Li has a much more immediate challenge: Yamaguchi. And after a three-game battle that tested her nerves, fitness and resilience, the Canadian veteran believes she is ready for another chess match.

Michelle Li embraces long badminton battles after beating Tomoka Miyazaki and now faces Akane Yamaguchi in the BWF World Championships quarterfinal

BWF World Championships: ‘There’s still that fire inside me’: Michelle Li, 34, ready for Akane Yamaguchi challenge

PV Sindhu was left to rue a lack of patience in the closing stages after her BWF World Championships campaign ended with a defeat to China's Wang Zhi Yi. Sindhu, who was involved in a closely fought battle, felt the contest was largely under her control but admitted that she could have handled the crucial moments at the end better. “I think in the overall game, especially in the end, I should have been a little more patient,” Sindhu said after the match.&nbsp;“I can't see any loopholes in between the points. I think in the end especially I should have been a little more patient. That's what I can see from today's game and in the last 3-4 points.” The former world champion was understandably disappointed with the result, particularly after being in contention for much of the match. “Yeah, disappointed of course. Sad about it, I should have converted that. But yeah, I mean that's how it is, that's how sport is,” Sindhu said. “You learn, you lose a lot, you win a lot. I mean when you lose you need to deal with it and bounce back stronger from your mistakes.”&nbsp;Sindhu also acknowledged that defeat is an unavoidable part of a sporting career and stressed the importance of learning from setbacks. “Because you know, you can't win all the time. At the same time, when you lose you should be able to take it as well,” she said. The Indian also addressed the situation surrounding Wang during the match, with the Chinese player appearing to struggle physically at certain stages. Sindhu said she could not know for certain whether Wang was genuinely injured and instead had to remain focused on her own game. “I think there's nothing being tough. I don't know if she's injured or not. Maybe that is her strategy or her way of doing it. You never know. Maybe that's her gameplay,” Sindhu said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bwf-world-championships-2026-treesa-gayatri-create-history-satwik-chirag-enter-quarters-while-sindhu-and-ayush-bow-out-1787245802814">BWF World Championships 2026: Treesa-Gayatri create history; Satwik-Chirag enter quarters, while Sindhu and Ayush bow out</a>&nbsp;“But I had to be very focused and very patient and focus on every point.” For Sindhu, the immediate focus now shifts towards identifying the areas that need improvement ahead of the Asian Games. “Definitely a lot of lessons to be taken. From today's game, I'm going to go and discuss with my coach what needs to be done. And accordingly we'll work out whatever it is. Physically or mentally or stroke-wise or whatever it is,” she said.&nbsp;The defeat, however, has not diminished Sindhu's hunger to return stronger. “Yes, definitely yes,” she said when asked if the loss had made her more determined. “Because you want to win, you have that urge to win always. But it is disappointing when you lose. I think that also gives you a chance where you want to come back and bounce back stronger.”&nbsp;Sindhu also took a positive from the match, pointing to her physical condition and the fact that she still had plenty left in the tank deep into the contest. “That is a positive thing. I think I should just go back and maybe just work a little bit on my strokes,” she said. “And yeah, I think it was just her day today. That is all I can say because overall it was a good badminton.” For Sindhu, then, the World Championships exit is less a full stop than another lesson. The former champion knows exactly what she wants to take away from the defeat, greater patience when the biggest points arrive.

PV Sindhu admitted she lacked patience in the final points of her BWF World Championships defeat to Wang Zhi Yi and vowed to bounce back stronger.

PV Sindhu was left to rue a lack of patience in the closing stages after her BWF World Championships campaign ended with a defeat to China's Wang Zhi Yi. Sindhu, who was involved in a closely fought battle, felt the contest was largely under her control but admitted that she could have handled the crucial moments at the end better. “I think in the overall game, especially in the end, I should have been a little more patient,” Sindhu said after the match. “I can't see any loopholes in between the points. I think in the end especially I should have been a little more patient. That's what I can see from today's game and in the last 3-4 points.” The former world champion was understandably disappointed with the result, particularly after being in contention for much of the match. “Yeah, disappointed of course. Sad about it, I should have converted that. But yeah, I mean that's how it is, that's how sport is,” Sindhu said. “You learn, you lose a lot, you win a lot. I mean when you lose you need to deal with it and bounce back stronger from your mistakes.” Sindhu also acknowledged that defeat is an unavoidable part of a sporting career and stressed the importance of learning from setbacks. “Because you know, you can't win all the time. At the same time, when you lose you should be able to take it as well,” she said. The Indian also addressed the situation surrounding Wang during the match, with the Chinese player appearing to struggle physically at certain stages. Sindhu said she could not know for certain whether Wang was genuinely injured and instead had to remain focused on her own game. “I think there's nothing being tough. I don't know if she's injured or not. Maybe that is her strategy or her way of doing it. You never know. Maybe that's her gameplay,” Sindhu said. Also Read: BWF World Championships 2026: Treesa-Gayatri create history; Satwik-Chirag enter quarters, while Sindhu and Ayush bow out “But I had to be very focused and very patient and focus on every point.” For Sindhu, the immediate focus now shifts towards identifying the areas that need improvement ahead of the Asian Games. “Definitely a lot of lessons to be taken. From today's game, I'm going to go and discuss with my coach what needs to be done. And accordingly we'll work out whatever it is. Physically or mentally or stroke-wise or whatever it is,” she said. The defeat, however, has not diminished Sindhu's hunger to return stronger. “Yes, definitely yes,” she said when asked if the loss had made her more determined. “Because you want to win, you have that urge to win always. But it is disappointing when you lose. I think that also gives you a chance where you want to come back and bounce back stronger.” Sindhu also took a positive from the match, pointing to her physical condition and the fact that she still had plenty left in the tank deep into the contest. “That is a positive thing. I think I should just go back and maybe just work a little bit on my strokes,” she said. “And yeah, I think it was just her day today. That is all I can say because overall it was a good badminton.” For Sindhu, then, the World Championships exit is less a full stop than another lesson. The former champion knows exactly what she wants to take away from the defeat, greater patience when the biggest points arrive.

PV Sindhu reflects on her defeat to Wang Zhi Yi at the BWF World Championships, admitting she needed more patience in the crucial final points

BWF World Championships 2026: ‘I don’t know if she was hurt or it was her strategy’: PV Sindhu after defeat to Wang Zhi Yi

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand produced a dominant performance to script history at the BWF World Championships, becoming the first Indian women's doubles pair in 11 years to reach the quarterfinals. The world no. 39 Indians stunned seventh seeds Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi of Japan 21-16, 21-12 to book their place in the last eight. They will next face fourth seeds Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shi Xian of China.&nbsp;Two-time bronze medallists Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also kept India's medal hopes alive with a hard-fought 21-23, 21-19, 21-17 victory over Malaysia's Junaidi Arif and Yap Roy King. The Indian duo will take on third seeds Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang of China in the quarterfinals. However, it was a disappointing day in the singles events for India. Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu's bid for a sixth World Championships medal came to an end after she lost 21-11, 15-21, 21-17 to third seed Wang Zhi Yi of China. Rising Indian star Ayush Shetty was also knocked out, going down 21-19, 21-11 to Indonesia's Alwi Farhan.The contrasting results meant that Treesa-Gayatri and Satwik-Chirag carried India's hopes of extending its World Championships medal streak, which began in 2011.<h2>Treesa and Gayatri deliver a historic win</h2>Treesa and Gayatri controlled much of their match against the Japanese seventh seeds, combining aggressive attacking play with smart changes of pace. The Indians raced to a 13-9 lead in the opening game before Iwanaga and Nakanishi responded with longer rallies and forced errors from their opponents. The Japanese pair then won seven consecutive points, putting themselves in a strong position.&nbsp;But Treesa and Gayatri responded brilliantly. They regrouped immediately and produced an eight-point winning streak of their own to take the opening game. The second game was far more one-sided. Riding the momentum from the first, the Indians kept their opponents under pressure with quick drops and crosscourt smashes. They closed out the match in just 44 minutes.&nbsp;Their victory marks the first time an Indian women's doubles combination has reached the World Championships quarterfinals since Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa achieved the feat at the 2015 edition in Jakarta. "Initially, it was neck to neck and our coaches asked us to attack. Attacking game is our strength and we were very calm when we were leading," said Gayatri. Treesa and Gayatri had previously broken into the world top 10 but were forced to deal with injuries that affected their progress. Their latest victory now puts them within two wins of a World Championships medal.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fih-women-s-hockey-world-cup-india-hold-england-to-goalless-draw-advance-to-round-2-1787241065514">FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup: India hold England to goalless draw, advance to Round 2</a><h2>Satwik-Chirag survive thriller</h2>Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were made to work hard by Junaidi Arif and Yap Roy King. The Malaysians edged a closely contested opening game despite the Indian pair saving two game points. Satwik and Chirag then showed composure in the second game, fighting back from 16-18 down to force a decider. The final game followed a similar pattern. The Indians trailed 12-15 but levelled the scores at 17-17 before winning the next four points to secure their quarterfinal place. The victory keeps alive the hopes of the two-time bronze medallists, who will now face China's third-seeded pair Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang.<h2>Sindhu falls after gruelling battle</h2>Earlier, PV Sindhu fought for 88 minutes against third seed Wang Zhi Yi but ultimately fell short in a dramatic three-game contest.Sindhu struggled to find her rhythm in the opening game, allowing Wang to take control. The Indian responded strongly in the second, however, winning six consecutive points from 15-15 to force a decider.&nbsp;Sindhu made the better start to the final game, opening an 8-4 lead. Wang fought back to level at 9-9 before Sindhu again moved ahead 13-10. The Chinese player then capitalised on a series of errors from Sindhu to take the lead after winning five straight points. The intensity increased in the closing stages, with both players involved in several rallies lasting more than 30 shots. One 54-shot exchange at 17-18 left both competitors visibly exhausted. Wang eventually sealed victory with a crosscourt smash.&nbsp;The defeat ended Sindhu's unbeaten World Championships record against Wang and also brought her hopes of winning a sixth medal at the event to an end. "I should have stayed patient (in the third game). It was going good and I am disappointed with the final result as I should have converted the advantage," Sindhu said after the match.<h2>Ayush Shetty's campaign ends</h2>Ayush Shetty's impressive run also came to an end in the men's singles. After making headlines as a giant-killer earlier in the tournament, the Indian lost 21-19, 21-11 to Indonesia's Alwi Farhan. With Sindhu and Ayush eliminated, India's remaining medal hopes now rest heavily on the doubles combinations, with Treesa-Gayatri and Satwik-Chirag both targeting semifinal berths.<h2>Important results:</h2>Men's Singles: 7-Victor Lai (CAN) bt 13-Loh Kean Yew (SGP) 22-20, 21-18; Rasmus Gemke (DEN) bt 3-Jonatan Christie (INA) 11-21, 21-13, 21-18; 11-Alwi Farhan (INA) bt Ayush Shetty (IND) 21-19, 21-11; 10-Kodai Naraoka (JPN) bt 8-Li Shi Feng (CHN) 13-21, 23-21, 21-11Women's Singles: 1-An Se Young (KOR) bt 16-Mia Blichfeldt (DEN) 21-16, 21-10; 10-Pornpawee Chochuwong (THA) bt 4-Chen Yufei (CHN) 15-21, 25-23, 21-17; 13-Michelle Li (CAN) bt 8-Tomoka Miyazaki (JPN) 17-21, 21-16, 21-18; 2-Akane Yamaguchi (JPN) bt 14-Sim You Jin (KOR) 21-17, 21-10; 15-Line Chirstophersen (DEN) bt 6-Putri Wardani (INA) 21-18, 21-17; 3-Wang Zhi Yi (CHN) bt 9-PV Sindhu (IND) 21-11, 15-21, 21-17Men's Doubles: 5-Chirag Shetty/Satwiksairaj Rankireddy (IND) bt Junaidi Arif/Yap Roy King (MAS) 21-23, 21-19, 21-17; 3-Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang (CHN) bt Kim Astrup/Anders Rasmussen (DEN) 22-20, 8-21, 21-19Women's doubles: Gayatri Gopichand/Treesa Jolly (IND) bt 7-Rin Iwanaga/Kie Nakanishi (JPN) 21-16, 21-12; 4-Jia Yi Fan/Zhang Shu Xian bt Hsieh Pei Shan/Hung En-Tzu (TPE) 21-11, 21-18; 13-Febriana Kusuma/Meilysa Puspitasari (INA) bt 5-Pearly Tan/Thinaah Muralitharan (MAS) 20-22, 21-18, 21-12;Mixed Doubles: 6-Guo Xin Wa/Chen Fang Hui (CHN) bt 15-Dhruv Kapila/Tanisha Crasto (IND) 21-16, 21-5; 11-Yang Po-Husan/Hu Ling Fang (TPE) bt 3-Mathias Christiansen/Alexandra Boje (DEN) 21-13, 9-21, 21-14

Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand make history at the BWF World Championships, while Satwik-Chirag reach quarters and PV Sindhu exits

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand produced a dominant performance to script history at the BWF World Championships, becoming the first Indian women's doubles pair in 11 years to reach the quarterfinals. The world no. 39 Indians stunned seventh seeds Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi of Japan 21-16, 21-12 to book their place in the last eight. They will next face fourth seeds Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shi Xian of China. Two-time bronze medallists Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also kept India's medal hopes alive with a hard-fought 21-23, 21-19, 21-17 victory over Malaysia's Junaidi Arif and Yap Roy King. The Indian duo will take on third seeds Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang of China in the quarterfinals. However, it was a disappointing day in the singles events for India. Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu's bid for a sixth World Championships medal came to an end after she lost 21-11, 15-21, 21-17 to third seed Wang Zhi Yi of China. Rising Indian star Ayush Shetty was also knocked out, going down 21-19, 21-11 to Indonesia's Alwi Farhan. The contrasting results meant that Treesa-Gayatri and Satwik-Chirag carried India's hopes of extending its World Championships medal streak, which began in 2011. Treesa and Gayatri deliver a historic win Treesa and Gayatri controlled much of their match against the Japanese seventh seeds, combining aggressive attacking play with smart changes of pace. The Indians raced to a 13-9 lead in the opening game before Iwanaga and Nakanishi responded with longer rallies and forced errors from their opponents. The Japanese pair then won seven consecutive points, putting themselves in a strong position. But Treesa and Gayatri responded brilliantly. They regrouped immediately and produced an eight-point winning streak of their own to take the opening game. The second game was far more one-sided. Riding the momentum from the first, the Indians kept their opponents under pressure with quick drops and crosscourt smashes. They closed out the match in just 44 minutes. Their victory marks the first time an Indian women's doubles combination has reached the World Championships quarterfinals since Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa achieved the feat at the 2015 edition in Jakarta. "Initially, it was neck to neck and our coaches asked us to attack. Attacking game is our strength and we were very calm when we were leading," said Gayatri. Treesa and Gayatri had previously broken into the world top 10 but were forced to deal with injuries that affected their progress. Their latest victory now puts them within two wins of a World Championships medal. Also Read: FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup: India hold England to goalless draw, advance to Round 2 Satwik-Chirag survive thriller Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were made to work hard by Junaidi Arif and Yap Roy King. The Malaysians edged a closely contested opening game despite the Indian pair saving two game points. Satwik and Chirag then showed composure in the second game, fighting back from 16-18 down to force a decider. The final game followed a similar pattern. The Indians trailed 12-15 but levelled the scores at 17-17 before winning the next four points to secure their quarterfinal place. The victory keeps alive the hopes of the two-time bronze medallists, who will now face China's third-seeded pair Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang. Sindhu falls after gruelling battle Earlier, PV Sindhu fought for 88 minutes against third seed Wang Zhi Yi but ultimately fell short in a dramatic three-game contest. Sindhu struggled to find her rhythm in the opening game, allowing Wang to take control. The Indian responded strongly in the second, however, winning six consecutive points from 15-15 to force a decider. Sindhu made the better start to the final game, opening an 8-4 lead. Wang fought back to level at 9-9 before Sindhu again moved ahead 13-10. The Chinese player then capitalised on a series of errors from Sindhu to take the lead after winning five straight points. The intensity increased in the closing stages, with both players involved in several rallies lasting more than 30 shots. One 54-shot exchange at 17-18 left both competitors visibly exhausted. Wang eventually sealed victory with a crosscourt smash. The defeat ended Sindhu's unbeaten World Championships record against Wang and also brought her hopes of winning a sixth medal at the event to an end. "I should have stayed patient (in the third game). It was going good and I am disappointed with the final result as I should have converted the advantage," Sindhu said after the match. Ayush Shetty's campaign ends Ayush Shetty's impressive run also came to an end in the men's singles. After making headlines as a giant-killer earlier in the tournament, the Indian lost 21-19, 21-11 to Indonesia's Alwi Farhan. With Sindhu and Ayush eliminated, India's remaining medal hopes now rest heavily on the doubles combinations, with Treesa-Gayatri and Satwik-Chirag both targeting semifinal berths. Important results: Men's Singles: 7-Victor Lai (CAN) bt 13-Loh Kean Yew (SGP) 22-20, 21-18; Rasmus Gemke (DEN) bt 3-Jonatan Christie (INA) 11-21, 21-13, 21-18; 11-Alwi Farhan (INA) bt Ayush Shetty (IND) 21-19, 21-11; 10-Kodai Naraoka (JPN) bt 8-Li Shi Feng (CHN) 13-21, 23-21, 21-11 Women's Singles: 1-An Se Young (KOR) bt 16-Mia Blichfeldt (DEN) 21-16, 21-10; 10-Pornpawee Chochuwong (THA) bt 4-Chen Yufei (CHN) 15-21, 25-23, 21-17; 13-Michelle Li (CAN) bt 8-Tomoka Miyazaki (JPN) 17-21, 21-16, 21-18; 2-Akane Yamaguchi (JPN) bt 14-Sim You Jin (KOR) 21-17, 21-10; 15-Line Chirstophersen (DEN) bt 6-Putri Wardani (INA) 21-18, 21-17; 3-Wang Zhi Yi (CHN) bt 9-PV Sindhu (IND) 21-11, 15-21, 21-17 Men's Doubles: 5-Chirag Shetty/Satwiksairaj Rankireddy (IND) bt Junaidi Arif/Yap Roy King (MAS) 21-23, 21-19, 21-17; 3-Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang (CHN) bt Kim Astrup/Anders Rasmussen (DEN) 22-20, 8-21, 21-19 Women's doubles: Gayatri Gopichand/Treesa Jolly (IND) bt 7-Rin Iwanaga/Kie Nakanishi (JPN) 21-16, 21-12; 4-Jia Yi Fan/Zhang Shu Xian bt Hsieh Pei Shan/Hung En-Tzu (TPE) 21-11, 21-18; 13-Febriana Kusuma/Meilysa Puspitasari (INA) bt 5-Pearly Tan/Thinaah Muralitharan (MAS) 20-22, 21-18, 21-12; Mixed Doubles: 6-Guo Xin Wa/Chen Fang Hui (CHN) bt 15-Dhruv Kapila/Tanisha Crasto (IND) 21-16, 21-5; 11-Yang Po-Husan/Hu Ling Fang (TPE) bt 3-Mathias Christiansen/Alexandra Boje (DEN) 21-13, 9-21, 21-14

Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand and Satwik-Chirag reach World Championships quarters, while PV Sindhu and Ayush Shetty exit in singles

BWF World Championships 2026: Treesa-Gayatri create history; Satwik-Chirag enter quarters, while Sindhu and Ayush bow out

Former world champion PV Sindhu knows she will have little room for error when she takes on familiar opponent Wang Zi Ying of China in the third round of the BWF World Championships 2026, but the Indian star is ready for the challenge. Sindhu, seeded ninth, moved into the third round with a 21-16, 21-17 win over Canada's Zhang Wen Yu on Wednesday. She will now face Wang, an opponent she has played several times before, with both players well aware of each other's game.&nbsp;“It will be difficult, obviously. There won't be any easy matches. When we are playing with top athletes, we can't expect easy matches or easy points,” Sindhu said after her second-round win. “We have to be prepared for long matches. I am ready for it. I have played against Wang Zi a lot of times. Of course, I have played against her. We know each other's game. I need to give my best and play my game.”&nbsp;Sindhu, who also reflected on her experience of playing at the World Championships, said she is hoping to produce another strong result but knows she will have to remain switched on throughout the contest. “I am hoping for a good result this time as well. I need to be prepared for everything. When you are playing against a top athlete, you can't expect easy points. You need to be prepared for those long rallies and long games,” she said. “You need to be consistent every single time. Every point matters. You can't give easy points away. I hope I give my best and be on the winning side.”&nbsp;The Indian did acknowledge that she made some unforced errors against Zhang, but felt she was able to rectify the problems during the match. She also pointed to the changing court conditions as a factor. “Today, I felt the court was different from the first day. According to my understanding, there were some unforced errors where I was hitting side outs. That's what I felt. But then I rectified and came back after 11 points in the second set as well,” Sindhu said. “I maintained it and consistently I was getting points. Going into tomorrow's match, I need to focus on playing my best, playing a safe game and being consistent.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/every-guy-needs-motherly-coaching-the-lady-luck-behind-garret-tan-s-stunning-lakshya-sen-upset-1787158651755">‘Every guy needs motherly coaching’: The lady luck behind Garret Tan’s stunning Lakshya Sen upset</a>&nbsp;For the 31-year-old, managing her body and recovery has become an increasingly important part of competing at the highest level. Sindhu believes athletes need to understand that their bodies may not always match what their minds are demanding from them. “I think recovery plays a very major role. Back then, when you were in your 20s, you could play and come back. You could keep going on and on. But after a certain time, you also need to understand. You are not 20 or 19 anymore. You need to understand your body and accordingly, smartly make those changes,” she said.&nbsp;“Today, you might play 80% tomorrow. The next day, you might play 50%. That is okay. It depends on your body. Your mind might say, I can do it. But your body might not be able to support you that way.” Sindhu stressed that sports science has become an important part of managing the demands of a long season, particularly when players have to recover quickly between gruelling matches. “That is when you accordingly make sure you see how your strain is, how your energy levels are and accordingly keep changing. That is when I feel sports science comes into picture,” she said.&nbsp;“I think that is very important for an athlete because you need to be able to manage. We have a number of tournaments. To pick and choose smartly what needs to be done. Immediately after those long matches, how do you recover faster for the next match? These are the aspects we need to focus on and be prepared.”&nbsp;&nbsp;For Sindhu, the key will be to leave mistakes behind and immediately shift focus to the next point. “It is completely okay if you make mistakes. Coming back immediately to the next point or knowing what your mistake is and accordingly discussing with your coach and coming back and focusing on the next point is important,” she said. “Because what has gone, has gone. You need to focus on what is next.”&nbsp;Sindhu also clarified her observation about the court conditions, saying the drift appeared to have changed compared to her opening-round match on Monday. “On Monday, I think the drift was on the other side is what I felt. Today, it was a little bit on the other side. That is what I felt personally. That is my personal opinion.”

PV Sindhu discusses her tough Wang Zi Ying challenge, long rallies, recovery, court conditions and India's emerging badminton stars at the 2026 World Championships

Former world champion PV Sindhu knows she will have little room for error when she takes on familiar opponent Wang Zi Ying of China in the third round of the BWF World Championships 2026, but the Indian star is ready for the challenge. Sindhu, seeded ninth, moved into the third round with a 21-16, 21-17 win over Canada's Zhang Wen Yu on Wednesday. She will now face Wang, an opponent she has played several times before, with both players well aware of each other's game. “It will be difficult, obviously. There won't be any easy matches. When we are playing with top athletes, we can't expect easy matches or easy points,” Sindhu said after her second-round win. “We have to be prepared for long matches. I am ready for it. I have played against Wang Zi a lot of times. Of course, I have played against her. We know each other's game. I need to give my best and play my game.” Sindhu, who also reflected on her experience of playing at the World Championships, said she is hoping to produce another strong result but knows she will have to remain switched on throughout the contest. “I am hoping for a good result this time as well. I need to be prepared for everything. When you are playing against a top athlete, you can't expect easy points. You need to be prepared for those long rallies and long games,” she said. “You need to be consistent every single time. Every point matters. You can't give easy points away. I hope I give my best and be on the winning side.” The Indian did acknowledge that she made some unforced errors against Zhang, but felt she was able to rectify the problems during the match. She also pointed to the changing court conditions as a factor. “Today, I felt the court was different from the first day. According to my understanding, there were some unforced errors where I was hitting side outs. That's what I felt. But then I rectified and came back after 11 points in the second set as well,” Sindhu said. “I maintained it and consistently I was getting points. Going into tomorrow's match, I need to focus on playing my best, playing a safe game and being consistent.” Also Read: ‘Every guy needs motherly coaching’: The lady luck behind Garret Tan’s stunning Lakshya Sen upset For the 31-year-old, managing her body and recovery has become an increasingly important part of competing at the highest level. Sindhu believes athletes need to understand that their bodies may not always match what their minds are demanding from them. “I think recovery plays a very major role. Back then, when you were in your 20s, you could play and come back. You could keep going on and on. But after a certain time, you also need to understand. You are not 20 or 19 anymore. You need to understand your body and accordingly, smartly make those changes,” she said. “Today, you might play 80% tomorrow. The next day, you might play 50%. That is okay. It depends on your body. Your mind might say, I can do it. But your body might not be able to support you that way.” Sindhu stressed that sports science has become an important part of managing the demands of a long season, particularly when players have to recover quickly between gruelling matches. “That is when you accordingly make sure you see how your strain is, how your energy levels are and accordingly keep changing. That is when I feel sports science comes into picture,” she said. “I think that is very important for an athlete because you need to be able to manage. We have a number of tournaments. To pick and choose smartly what needs to be done. Immediately after those long matches, how do you recover faster for the next match? These are the aspects we need to focus on and be prepared.” For Sindhu, the key will be to leave mistakes behind and immediately shift focus to the next point. “It is completely okay if you make mistakes. Coming back immediately to the next point or knowing what your mistake is and accordingly discussing with your coach and coming back and focusing on the next point is important,” she said. “Because what has gone, has gone. You need to focus on what is next.” Sindhu also clarified her observation about the court conditions, saying the drift appeared to have changed compared to her opening-round match on Monday. “On Monday, I think the drift was on the other side is what I felt. Today, it was a little bit on the other side. That is what I felt personally. That is my personal opinion.”

PV Sindhu expects a tough battle against familiar foe Wang Zi Ying and says consistency, adaptability and recovery will be key at the World Championships

BWF World Championships 2026: Familiar foe, fresh battle: PV Sindhu braces for Wang Zi Ying showdown, says 'you can’t expect easy points'

Garret Tan may have produced one of the biggest upsets of the BWF World Championships 2026, but he did not do it alone. As the 18-year-old American battled past India’s Lakshya Sen in a dramatic contest at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, two women sitting courtside became his pillars of support, coaches Lauren Lam and Cao Hok Paula Lynn, who helped the teenager navigate the pressure, the crowd, the drift and the crucial moments that threatened to swing the match. And, perhaps fittingly, Tan's biggest win on the biggest stage came with what his coach jokingly described as a little bit of ‘lady luck’.&nbsp;“Every guy, I think, needs motherly coaching and a support, a big sister support,” Paula Lynn said after Tan’s victory. “His mom was also there, so it was that. He's obviously tough as a player, as a boy or a man, but he needs those, you know, like, the lady talk.” It was more than just a light-hearted observation. For Tan, who is playing his first World Championships at just 18, the presence of Lam, Paula Lynn and his mother offered a calming influence during a match that demanded far more than badminton skills. Lakshya, backed by a passionate home crowd, was the vastly more experienced player and carried the weight of Indian expectations. Tan, meanwhile, had to deal with the occasion, the hostile atmosphere and the peculiar conditions inside the arena.&nbsp;His coaches had prepared him for precisely that. “We've already expected that obviously it's a home advantage,” Paula Lynn explained. “We've talked about it and don't, of course, the yelling of the crowd that's cheering, just more like we prepare mentally that it's going to happen no matter what.” The message was simple: control what you can control. That meant ignoring the crowd. It meant adapting to the drift. It meant staying patient against Lakshya’s attacking game. And, above all, it meant remaining composed when the match entered its most delicate phase.&nbsp;Lam, who described Tan as her “little brother”, was particularly impressed by the teenager's temperament. “I think for me I was actually impressed,” she said. “He's like my little brother and that's why we were sitting behind him. It's really impressive that he can maintain that focus and handle that pressure.” Tan's composure became even more impressive after he appeared to hit his head while diving during the match. The teenager experienced dizziness, but instead of allowing the incident to derail him, he managed to reset and continue fighting. Lam's advice was straightforward. “I told him to just keep his composure, keep focus and just focus on the current point that's happening,” she said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bwf-world-championships-2026-sindhu-ayush-march-on-as-lakshya-unnati-bow-out-1787157947251">BWF World Championships 2026: Sindhu, Ayush march on as Lakshya, Unnati bow out</a>&nbsp;That ability to reset may have been one of the defining characteristics of Tan's performance. The coaches were not simply offering emotional support from the stands. They were also dissecting Lakshya's tactics and feeding Tan information between points. Their approach was a combination of calming the teenager down and helping him identify tactical opportunities. One of those instructions was to keep Lakshya away from the forecourt. “We noticed Lakshya is very good at putting a lot of pressure on Garret in front,” Paula Lynn said. “That's why we wanted to keep him away from the front.”&nbsp;The American also had to contend with Lakshya's ability to neutralise his greatest weapon, his power. Tan is tall, athletic and capable of generating considerable pace, particularly with his jump smash. But Lakshya countered intelligently with angles and half-smashes rather than simply engaging in a battle of power. “His specialty is he's a power-controlled and power player,” Paula Lynn said. “If you could see when he's tall, he could jump really high, very powerful.”&nbsp;Yet Tan showed that there was more to his game than brute force. His coaches had worked with him on controlling Lakshya's attacks, understanding the drift and making tactical adjustments depending on which side of the court he was on. And behind that tactical preparation is a relationship that stretches back years. Paula Lynn has coached Tan since he was a little boy. She has watched him grow not only physically, he is already remarkably tall and athletic for his age, but mentally. “He's always curious. ‘Coach, how will I do well on this? What should I work on? Do I do this?’” she said.&nbsp;That curiosity, according to his coach, has gradually developed into one of Tan's biggest strengths: his willingness to listen. For Paula Lynn, the best quality a young player can possess is not necessarily a particular shot or physical attribute. “It’s more of like, as a player, you should be coachable,” she said. “You should be coachable because different coaches can give different opinions and even advice from different players.”&nbsp;Tan, she believes, has embraced that philosophy. He trains in Southern California and also spends time training in Taiwan, giving him exposure to different environments as he continues his rapid development. And while his ranking is still climbing, the dream is already clear, for Tan to eventually share the biggest tournaments with the very coaches who have helped guide him there. “Right now he's still climbing in the rankings,” Lam said. “But hopefully we'll be playing the same tournaments soon.”&nbsp;For now, though, Tan has already announced himself on one of badminton's biggest stages. He walked into the World Championships as an 18-year-old playing his first edition of the tournament. He walked out having beaten a former World Championships medallist on home soil, with thousands of Indian fans roaring against him. And behind him, throughout the battle, were two coaches offering tactical instructions, calming words and the kind of support that goes beyond badminton.&nbsp;Maybe there was some Lady Luck involved. But the bigger story is that Garret Tan had a team around him that made sure he was ready to seize the moment.

Garret Tan stunned Lakshya Sen at the BWF World Championships 2026, with coaches Lauren Lam and Paula Lynn playing a key role in the 18-year-old’s giant-killing win

Garret Tan may have produced one of the biggest upsets of the BWF World Championships 2026, but he did not do it alone. As the 18-year-old American battled past India’s Lakshya Sen in a dramatic contest at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, two women sitting courtside became his pillars of support, coaches Lauren Lam and Cao Hok Paula Lynn, who helped the teenager navigate the pressure, the crowd, the drift and the crucial moments that threatened to swing the match. And, perhaps fittingly, Tan's biggest win on the biggest stage came with what his coach jokingly described as a little bit of ‘lady luck’. “Every guy, I think, needs motherly coaching and a support, a big sister support,” Paula Lynn said after Tan’s victory. “His mom was also there, so it was that. He's obviously tough as a player, as a boy or a man, but he needs those, you know, like, the lady talk.” It was more than just a light-hearted observation. For Tan, who is playing his first World Championships at just 18, the presence of Lam, Paula Lynn and his mother offered a calming influence during a match that demanded far more than badminton skills. Lakshya, backed by a passionate home crowd, was the vastly more experienced player and carried the weight of Indian expectations. Tan, meanwhile, had to deal with the occasion, the hostile atmosphere and the peculiar conditions inside the arena. His coaches had prepared him for precisely that. “We've already expected that obviously it's a home advantage,” Paula Lynn explained. “We've talked about it and don't, of course, the yelling of the crowd that's cheering, just more like we prepare mentally that it's going to happen no matter what.” The message was simple: control what you can control. That meant ignoring the crowd. It meant adapting to the drift. It meant staying patient against Lakshya’s attacking game. And, above all, it meant remaining composed when the match entered its most delicate phase. Lam, who described Tan as her “little brother”, was particularly impressed by the teenager's temperament. “I think for me I was actually impressed,” she said. “He's like my little brother and that's why we were sitting behind him. It's really impressive that he can maintain that focus and handle that pressure.” Tan's composure became even more impressive after he appeared to hit his head while diving during the match. The teenager experienced dizziness, but instead of allowing the incident to derail him, he managed to reset and continue fighting. Lam's advice was straightforward. “I told him to just keep his composure, keep focus and just focus on the current point that's happening,” she said. Also Read: BWF World Championships 2026: Sindhu, Ayush march on as Lakshya, Unnati bow out That ability to reset may have been one of the defining characteristics of Tan's performance. The coaches were not simply offering emotional support from the stands. They were also dissecting Lakshya's tactics and feeding Tan information between points. Their approach was a combination of calming the teenager down and helping him identify tactical opportunities. One of those instructions was to keep Lakshya away from the forecourt. “We noticed Lakshya is very good at putting a lot of pressure on Garret in front,” Paula Lynn said. “That's why we wanted to keep him away from the front.” The American also had to contend with Lakshya's ability to neutralise his greatest weapon, his power. Tan is tall, athletic and capable of generating considerable pace, particularly with his jump smash. But Lakshya countered intelligently with angles and half-smashes rather than simply engaging in a battle of power. “His specialty is he's a power-controlled and power player,” Paula Lynn said. “If you could see when he's tall, he could jump really high, very powerful.” Yet Tan showed that there was more to his game than brute force. His coaches had worked with him on controlling Lakshya's attacks, understanding the drift and making tactical adjustments depending on which side of the court he was on. And behind that tactical preparation is a relationship that stretches back years. Paula Lynn has coached Tan since he was a little boy. She has watched him grow not only physically, he is already remarkably tall and athletic for his age, but mentally. “He's always curious. ‘Coach, how will I do well on this? What should I work on? Do I do this?’” she said. That curiosity, according to his coach, has gradually developed into one of Tan's biggest strengths: his willingness to listen. For Paula Lynn, the best quality a young player can possess is not necessarily a particular shot or physical attribute. “It’s more of like, as a player, you should be coachable,” she said. “You should be coachable because different coaches can give different opinions and even advice from different players.” Tan, she believes, has embraced that philosophy. He trains in Southern California and also spends time training in Taiwan, giving him exposure to different environments as he continues his rapid development. And while his ranking is still climbing, the dream is already clear, for Tan to eventually share the biggest tournaments with the very coaches who have helped guide him there. “Right now he's still climbing in the rankings,” Lam said. “But hopefully we'll be playing the same tournaments soon.” For now, though, Tan has already announced himself on one of badminton's biggest stages. He walked into the World Championships as an 18-year-old playing his first edition of the tournament. He walked out having beaten a former World Championships medallist on home soil, with thousands of Indian fans roaring against him. And behind him, throughout the battle, were two coaches offering tactical instructions, calming words and the kind of support that goes beyond badminton. Maybe there was some Lady Luck involved. But the bigger story is that Garret Tan had a team around him that made sure he was ready to seize the moment.

Garret Tan stunned Lakshya Sen at the BWF World Championships, with coaches Lauren Lam and Paula Lynn providing the support behind his giant-killing win

‘Every guy needs motherly coaching’: The lady luck behind Garret Tan’s stunning Lakshya Sen upset

Former champion PV Sindhu and giant-killer Ayush Shetty marched into the pre-quarterfinals of the BWF World Championships 2026 with comfortable victories, but it was a day of contrasting fortunes for the Indian hosts at the Indira Gandhi Stadium on Wednesday (August 19). Ninth seed Sindhu made light work of Canada's Zhang Wen Yu, winning 21-16, 21-17 in the women's singles second round. The two-time Olympic medallist will next face a stern challenge from third seed Wang Zi Yi of China, who defeated Malaysia's Karuoathevan Letshanaa 21-16, 21-9.&nbsp;Ayush was equally dominant in the men's singles, needing only 26 minutes to dispatch Sri Lanka's Dumindu Abeywickrama 21-8, 21-10. The 2023 world junior champion will face Indonesia's 11th seed Alwi Farhan in the round of 16 after Farhan defeated Finland's Joakim Oldorff 21-12, 21-9. There was also good news in men's doubles for India as two-time world championships bronze medallists Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty progressed to the pre-quarterfinals without hitting a single shot.&nbsp;&nbsp;Their Scottish opponents, Alexander Dunn and Adam Hall, conceded a walkover after Dunn suffered an injury. However, India's campaign suffered two major setbacks as Lakshya Sen and Unnati Hooda crashed out.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-vs-pakistan-fih-hockey-world-cup-5-3-result-1787151650355">India outclass Pakistan 5-3 to qualify for second round at FIH World Cup</a><h2>Lakshya Sen, Unnati Hooda knocked out</h2>14th seed Lakshya was stunned by 18-year-old American Garret Tan in a bruising battle, going down 19-21, 21-19, 21-17 after one hour and 13 minutes. Lakshya took the opening game but Tan refused to back down, repeatedly troubling the Indian with his powerful smashes. The American then claimed the second game despite Lakshya saving four game points to force a decider.&nbsp;Tan surged 11-4 ahead in the final game before Lakshya mounted a spirited comeback to close the gap to 16-17. But a couple of errors from the Indian, combined with Tan's aggressive play, ended Lakshya's hopes of completing the comeback. Unnati, meanwhile, came agonisingly close to a major upset on her World Championships debut against 13th seed Michelle Li of Canada. The Indian lost the opening game 11-21 but fought back brilliantly to take the second 21-9. In a tense decider, Unnati earned two match points but could not convert either opportunity, with her pushes going wide on both occasions.&nbsp;Li seized the opening and eventually closed out the contest 11-21, 21-9, 23-21 with a down-the-line smash. With Sindhu, Ayush and the Satwik-Chirag pair safely through, India will now look to build momentum in the knockout rounds, while Lakshya and Unnati are left to rue missed opportunities on a mixed day for the hosts.<h2>Important results:</h2>Men's Singles: Ayush Shetty (IND) bt Dumindu Abeywickrama (SL) 21-8, 21-10; Gareth Tan (USA) bt 14-Lakshya Sen (IND) 19-21, 21-19, 21-17; 3-Jonatan Christie (INA) bt Jia Heng Teh (SIN) 19-21, 21-19, 21-11; Rasmus Gemme (DEN) bt Lin Chun-Yi (TPE) 13-21, 21-17, 21-11;Women's Singles: 9-PV Sindhu (IND) bt Zhang Wen Yu 21-16, 21-17 ; 13-Michelle Li (CAN) bt Unnati Hood (IND) 11-21, 21-9, 23-21Mixed Doubles: 15-Dhruv Kapila/Tanisha Crasto (IND) bt Leong Lok Chong/Ng Weng Chi (MAC) 21-11, 21-11

BWF World Championships 2026: PV Sindhu and Ayush Shetty advance to the pre-quarters, while Lakshya Sen and Unnati Hooda bow out in Delhi

Former champion PV Sindhu and giant-killer Ayush Shetty marched into the pre-quarterfinals of the BWF World Championships 2026 with comfortable victories, but it was a day of contrasting fortunes for the Indian hosts at the Indira Gandhi Stadium on Wednesday (August 19). Ninth seed Sindhu made light work of Canada's Zhang Wen Yu, winning 21-16, 21-17 in the women's singles second round. The two-time Olympic medallist will next face a stern challenge from third seed Wang Zi Yi of China, who defeated Malaysia's Karuoathevan Letshanaa 21-16, 21-9. Ayush was equally dominant in the men's singles, needing only 26 minutes to dispatch Sri Lanka's Dumindu Abeywickrama 21-8, 21-10. The 2023 world junior champion will face Indonesia's 11th seed Alwi Farhan in the round of 16 after Farhan defeated Finland's Joakim Oldorff 21-12, 21-9. There was also good news in men's doubles for India as two-time world championships bronze medallists Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty progressed to the pre-quarterfinals without hitting a single shot. Their Scottish opponents, Alexander Dunn and Adam Hall, conceded a walkover after Dunn suffered an injury. However, India's campaign suffered two major setbacks as Lakshya Sen and Unnati Hooda crashed out. Also Read: India outclass Pakistan 5-3 to qualify for second round at FIH World Cup Lakshya Sen, Unnati Hooda knocked out 14th seed Lakshya was stunned by 18-year-old American Garret Tan in a bruising battle, going down 19-21, 21-19, 21-17 after one hour and 13 minutes. Lakshya took the opening game but Tan refused to back down, repeatedly troubling the Indian with his powerful smashes. The American then claimed the second game despite Lakshya saving four game points to force a decider. Tan surged 11-4 ahead in the final game before Lakshya mounted a spirited comeback to close the gap to 16-17. But a couple of errors from the Indian, combined with Tan's aggressive play, ended Lakshya's hopes of completing the comeback. Unnati, meanwhile, came agonisingly close to a major upset on her World Championships debut against 13th seed Michelle Li of Canada. The Indian lost the opening game 11-21 but fought back brilliantly to take the second 21-9. In a tense decider, Unnati earned two match points but could not convert either opportunity, with her pushes going wide on both occasions. Li seized the opening and eventually closed out the contest 11-21, 21-9, 23-21 with a down-the-line smash. With Sindhu, Ayush and the Satwik-Chirag pair safely through, India will now look to build momentum in the knockout rounds, while Lakshya and Unnati are left to rue missed opportunities on a mixed day for the hosts. Important results: Men's Singles: Ayush Shetty (IND) bt Dumindu Abeywickrama (SL) 21-8, 21-10; Gareth Tan (USA) bt 14-Lakshya Sen (IND) 19-21, 21-19, 21-17; 3-Jonatan Christie (INA) bt Jia Heng Teh (SIN) 19-21, 21-19, 21-11; Rasmus Gemme (DEN) bt Lin Chun-Yi (TPE) 13-21, 21-17, 21-11; Women's Singles: 9-PV Sindhu (IND) bt Zhang Wen Yu 21-16, 21-17 ; 13-Michelle Li (CAN) bt Unnati Hood (IND) 11-21, 21-9, 23-21 Mixed Doubles: 15-Dhruv Kapila/Tanisha Crasto (IND) bt Leong Lok Chong/Ng Weng Chi (MAC) 21-11, 21-11

PV Sindhu and Ayush Shetty advanced to the BWF World Championships pre-quarters, while Lakshya Sen and Unnati Hooda suffered heartbreaking exits

BWF World Championships 2026: Sindhu, Ayush march on as Lakshya, Unnati bow out

India's top women's doubles pair, Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly, continued their impressive run at the BWF World Badminton Championships 2026, stunning 16th seeds Allison Lee and Lauren Lam on the second day of the tournament at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday. In singles, 2021 bronze medallist Lakshya Sen and debutant Unnati Hooda also secured their places in the second round with contrasting victories.&nbsp;World no. 39 Gayatri and Treesa produced another composed performance to defeat the American combination of Lee and Lam 21-15, 21-12 in 39 minutes and book their place in the pre-quarterfinals. The Indian duo combined their strengths brilliantly throughout the contest. Gayatri dominated proceedings at the net, while Treesa impressed with a combination of delicate drops and powerful smashes that repeatedly troubled the Americans.&nbsp;After a closely contested opening phase, the home pair pulled away by winning four consecutive points to establish a 6-2 advantage. They maintained control for the remainder of the game and took the opening set. Gayatri and Treesa continued their dominance in the second game. From 5-4, they rattled off seven points in a row to move 12-4 ahead. Although Lee and Lam produced a few impressive rallies, they were unable to mount a serious comeback as the Indians completed a convincing straight-game victory.<h2>Unnati Hooda sets up Michelle Li clash</h2>In the women's singles, Unnati Hooda had to fight hard before overcoming Myanmar's Thet Htar Thuzar 22-20, 21-16. The Indian found it difficult to adapt to the conditions and was trailing 13-16 in the opening game. She responded strongly when it mattered most, edging the game 22-20 before taking control of the second to seal her progress. Unnati will next face 13th seed Michelle Li of Canada. Li also had to work hard in the opening game before defeating Chinese Taipei's Chiu Pin-Chian 22-20, 21-12.<h2>Lakshya Sen makes winning comeback</h2>Fourteenth seed Lakshya Sen also advanced, overcoming Austria's Collins Filimon 16-21, 21-8, 21-4. Sen struggled to find his rhythm in the opening game as Filimon, using his height effectively, dictated rallies and relied on his powerful smashes. The Indian was also tentative with his lifts while playing from the more difficult side of the court.&nbsp;The match changed dramatically in the second game. Once Sen settled into the conditions, he produced a superb spell, winning 11 consecutive points from 10-8 to level the contest. Sen carried that momentum into the decider, racing to an 11-1 lead before closing out the match with controlled aggression. "I was a bit tentative in the first game because I was playing from the difficult side and was struggling to get used to the conditions. But in the second game, I knew that I will be playing from the better side and once I found the range of my shots it was quite easy," said Sen, who will now face Garret Tan of USA in the second round.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/rishabh-pant-fastest-100-sixes-record-india-vs-sri-lanka-galle-test-1787064435852">Galle Test, Day 4: Rishabh Pant's sixes milestone and Suthar's magic put India on brink of victory</a><h2>Popov crashes out, Okuhara and Chen Yufei advance</h2>Elsewhere, fifth seed Christo Popov of France suffered a second-round setback after Japan's Kenta Nishimoto defeated him 21-17, 21-19 in the men's singles. Former world champion Nozomi Okuhara produced a comeback victory in the women's singles, recovering from a game down to beat Turkey's Ozge Bayrak 18-21, 21-16, 21-9. Fourth seed Chen Yufei of China also progressed after overcoming a slow start against Hong Kong's Lo Sin Yan Happy. Chen eventually prevailed 18-21, 21-8, 21-11.<h2>Heartbreak for Ashith Surya-Amrutha Pramuthesh</h2>India's mixed doubles pair Ashith Surya and Amrutha Pramuthesh endured a heartbreaking exit on their World Championships debut. The Indian combination squandered nine match points across the second and third games before losing a marathon contest to Turkey's Emre Sonmez and Yasemen Bektas 16-21, 30-29, 24-22. Despite the disappointment, Gayatri-Treesa, Lakshya Sen and Unnati Hooda ensured a strong day for the Indian contingent at the home World Championships, with all three advancing to the next stage of their respective events.<h2>Important results:</h2>Men's Singles: 14-Lakshya Sen (IND) bt Collins Filimon (AUT) 16-21, 21-8, 21-4; Kenta Nishimoto (JPN) bt 5-Christo Popov (FRA) 21-17, 21-19; 3-Jonatan Christie (INA) bt Matthias Kicklitz (GER) 21-15, 21-14Women's Singles: Unnati Hood (IND) bt Thet Htar Thuzar (MYA) 22-20, 21-16; 4-Chen Yufei (CHN) bt Lo Sin Yan Happy (HKG) 18-21, 21-8, 21-11; 11-Nozomi Okuhara (JPN) bt Ozge Bayrak (TUR) 18-21, 21-16, 21-9Men's Doubles: 4-Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik (MAS) bt Peeratchai Sukphun/Pakkapon Teeraratsakul (THA) 15-21, 21-11, 21-18Women's Doubles: Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand (IND) bt Lauren Lam/Allison Lee (USA) 21-15, 21-12; Gabriela Stoeva/Stefani Stoeva (BUL) bt Kavipriya Selvam/Simran Singhi (IND) 21-7, 21-14Mixed Doubles: Jonathan Lai/Crystal Lai (CAN) bt Rohan Kapoor/Ruthvika Shivani Gadde (IND) 20-22, 21-19, 21-17, Emre Sonmez/Yasemen Bektas (TUR) bt Ashith Surya/Amrutha Pramuthesh (IND) 16-21, 30-29, 24-22

Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly upset 16th seeds at the BWF World Championships as Lakshya Sen and Unnati Hooda advance

India's top women's doubles pair, Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly, continued their impressive run at the BWF World Badminton Championships 2026, stunning 16th seeds Allison Lee and Lauren Lam on the second day of the tournament at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday. In singles, 2021 bronze medallist Lakshya Sen and debutant Unnati Hooda also secured their places in the second round with contrasting victories. World no. 39 Gayatri and Treesa produced another composed performance to defeat the American combination of Lee and Lam 21-15, 21-12 in 39 minutes and book their place in the pre-quarterfinals. The Indian duo combined their strengths brilliantly throughout the contest. Gayatri dominated proceedings at the net, while Treesa impressed with a combination of delicate drops and powerful smashes that repeatedly troubled the Americans. After a closely contested opening phase, the home pair pulled away by winning four consecutive points to establish a 6-2 advantage. They maintained control for the remainder of the game and took the opening set. Gayatri and Treesa continued their dominance in the second game. From 5-4, they rattled off seven points in a row to move 12-4 ahead. Although Lee and Lam produced a few impressive rallies, they were unable to mount a serious comeback as the Indians completed a convincing straight-game victory. Unnati Hooda sets up Michelle Li clash In the women's singles, Unnati Hooda had to fight hard before overcoming Myanmar's Thet Htar Thuzar 22-20, 21-16. The Indian found it difficult to adapt to the conditions and was trailing 13-16 in the opening game. She responded strongly when it mattered most, edging the game 22-20 before taking control of the second to seal her progress. Unnati will next face 13th seed Michelle Li of Canada. Li also had to work hard in the opening game before defeating Chinese Taipei's Chiu Pin-Chian 22-20, 21-12. Lakshya Sen makes winning comeback Fourteenth seed Lakshya Sen also advanced, overcoming Austria's Collins Filimon 16-21, 21-8, 21-4. Sen struggled to find his rhythm in the opening game as Filimon, using his height effectively, dictated rallies and relied on his powerful smashes. The Indian was also tentative with his lifts while playing from the more difficult side of the court. The match changed dramatically in the second game. Once Sen settled into the conditions, he produced a superb spell, winning 11 consecutive points from 10-8 to level the contest. Sen carried that momentum into the decider, racing to an 11-1 lead before closing out the match with controlled aggression. "I was a bit tentative in the first game because I was playing from the difficult side and was struggling to get used to the conditions. But in the second game, I knew that I will be playing from the better side and once I found the range of my shots it was quite easy," said Sen, who will now face Garret Tan of USA in the second round. Also Read: Galle Test, Day 4: Rishabh Pant's sixes milestone and Suthar's magic put India on brink of victory Popov crashes out, Okuhara and Chen Yufei advance Elsewhere, fifth seed Christo Popov of France suffered a second-round setback after Japan's Kenta Nishimoto defeated him 21-17, 21-19 in the men's singles. Former world champion Nozomi Okuhara produced a comeback victory in the women's singles, recovering from a game down to beat Turkey's Ozge Bayrak 18-21, 21-16, 21-9. Fourth seed Chen Yufei of China also progressed after overcoming a slow start against Hong Kong's Lo Sin Yan Happy. Chen eventually prevailed 18-21, 21-8, 21-11. Heartbreak for Ashith Surya-Amrutha Pramuthesh India's mixed doubles pair Ashith Surya and Amrutha Pramuthesh endured a heartbreaking exit on their World Championships debut. The Indian combination squandered nine match points across the second and third games before losing a marathon contest to Turkey's Emre Sonmez and Yasemen Bektas 16-21, 30-29, 24-22. Despite the disappointment, Gayatri-Treesa, Lakshya Sen and Unnati Hooda ensured a strong day for the Indian contingent at the home World Championships, with all three advancing to the next stage of their respective events. Important results: Men's Singles: 14-Lakshya Sen (IND) bt Collins Filimon (AUT) 16-21, 21-8, 21-4; Kenta Nishimoto (JPN) bt 5-Christo Popov (FRA) 21-17, 21-19; 3-Jonatan Christie (INA) bt Matthias Kicklitz (GER) 21-15, 21-14 Women's Singles: Unnati Hood (IND) bt Thet Htar Thuzar (MYA) 22-20, 21-16; 4-Chen Yufei (CHN) bt Lo Sin Yan Happy (HKG) 18-21, 21-8, 21-11; 11-Nozomi Okuhara (JPN) bt Ozge Bayrak (TUR) 18-21, 21-16, 21-9 Men's Doubles: 4-Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik (MAS) bt Peeratchai Sukphun/Pakkapon Teeraratsakul (THA) 15-21, 21-11, 21-18 Women's Doubles: Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand (IND) bt Lauren Lam/Allison Lee (USA) 21-15, 21-12; Gabriela Stoeva/Stefani Stoeva (BUL) bt Kavipriya Selvam/Simran Singhi (IND) 21-7, 21-14 Mixed Doubles: Jonathan Lai/Crystal Lai (CAN) bt Rohan Kapoor/Ruthvika Shivani Gadde (IND) 20-22, 21-19, 21-17, Emre Sonmez/Yasemen Bektas (TUR) bt Ashith Surya/Amrutha Pramuthesh (IND) 16-21, 30-29, 24-22

Gayatri-Treesa duo stun 16th seeds at the ongoing BWF World Championships 2026, while Lakshya Sen and Unnati Hooda advance to the singles second round

BWF World Championships 2026: Gayatri-Treesa, Lakshya Sen and Unnati Hooda shine

India's Ayush Shetty started the ongoing BWF Badminton World Championships in style, beating top seed Shi Yu Qi 21-14, 13-21, 21-19 in Round of 64 on Monday (Aug 17) at Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi. Shetty was the underdog in the match but kept his composure to overcome the world number 1 player to make a place in the Round of 32. Shetty was clinical in the first set before jitters took over in the second set which he lost. The third set went down to the wire which Shetty won by two points to claim a place in the next round.<h2>How Shetty overcame Yu Qi challenge?</h2><a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/Z9uXh8fnOnY?si=JbgNSpJeSKiW0Dkj">Speaking to the Badminton Association of India's YouTube channel</a> after the win, Shetty's long time coach Sagar Chopda, explained how the shuttler planned his game to beat number 1 Yu Qi.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bwf-world-championships-2026-ayush-shetty-upsets-reigning-world-champion-shi-yuqi-in-opening-match-pv-sindhu-wins-1786975359842">BWF World Championships 2026: Ayush Shetty upsets reigning world champion Shi Yuqi in opening match; PV Sindhu wins</a>"He used his net shots really well. From the back of the court, he was not in a hurry to hit those hard smashes. He has been very erratic with that shot. So the main thing that we told him was to expect high lifts from Shi. And don't get hassled by taking that jump and hitting it," explained Chopda."He used that really, really well. He mixed his clears because he was playing from the better side. So he used his clears and lifts very well, opening up the court. Overall, it was 10-on-10 in the first game. There was never an ounce of doubt in his shots. Coach Irwansyah has been helping him tactically. And they had a long chat yesterday. If you also look at Ayush's defence today, Shi is one of the best players in the world to have variations from everywhere. From the back of the court, from the net. So Ayush was ready for it. He was really good with his defence," he added.<h2>What next for Ayush Shetty?</h2>After overcoming his biggest challenge in first round itself, Shetty now faces Sri Lanka's Abeywickrama in the Round of 32 of men's singles on Wednesday (Aug 19). After the sensational win in the Round of 64, he's expected to move further in the competition without much trouble.

Shetty was the underdog in the match but kept his composure to overcome the world number 1 player to make a place in the Round of 32 with a 21-14, 13-21, 21-19 win over top seed Shi Yu Qi.

India's Ayush Shetty started the ongoing BWF Badminton World Championships in style, beating top seed Shi Yu Qi 21-14, 13-21, 21-19 in Round of 64 on Monday (Aug 17) at Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi. Shetty was the underdog in the match but kept his composure to overcome the world number 1 player to make a place in the Round of 32. Shetty was clinical in the first set before jitters took over in the second set which he lost. The third set went down to the wire which Shetty won by two points to claim a place in the next round. How Shetty overcame Yu Qi challenge? Speaking to the Badminton Association of India's YouTube channel after the win, Shetty's long time coach Sagar Chopda, explained how the shuttler planned his game to beat number 1 Yu Qi. Also Read - BWF World Championships 2026: Ayush Shetty upsets reigning world champion Shi Yuqi in opening match; PV Sindhu wins "He used his net shots really well. From the back of the court, he was not in a hurry to hit those hard smashes. He has been very erratic with that shot. So the main thing that we told him was to expect high lifts from Shi. And don't get hassled by taking that jump and hitting it," explained Chopda. "He used that really, really well. He mixed his clears because he was playing from the better side. So he used his clears and lifts very well, opening up the court. Overall, it was 10-on-10 in the first game. There was never an ounce of doubt in his shots. Coach Irwansyah has been helping him tactically. And they had a long chat yesterday. If you also look at Ayush's defence today, Shi is one of the best players in the world to have variations from everywhere. From the back of the court, from the net. So Ayush was ready for it. He was really good with his defence," he added. What next for Ayush Shetty? After overcoming his biggest challenge in first round itself, Shetty now faces Sri Lanka's Abeywickrama in the Round of 32 of men's singles on Wednesday (Aug 19). After the sensational win in the Round of 64, he's expected to move further in the competition without much trouble.

Shetty was the underdog in the match but kept his composure to overcome the world number 1 player to make a place in the Round of 32 with a 21-14, 13-21, 21-19 win over top seed Shi Yu Qi.

BWF World Championships 2026: How Ayush Shetty overcame Shi Yu Qi challenge in Round of 64

Ayush Shetty produced the biggest upset of his young career, defeating reigning world champion and world no. 1 Shi Yuqi 21-14, 13-21, 21-19 in a thrilling Round of 64 clash at the Badminton World Championships in New Delhi on Monday (August 17). Roared on by a packed crowd at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Shetty played with remarkable confidence against the defending champion. The Indian youngster attacked aggressively from the start, making sharp moves at the net, taking the shuttle early and using his powerful smashes to control the opening game 21-14.&nbsp;The victory marked a stunning turnaround from their previous meeting in the Badminton Asia Championships final, where Shi dominated the contest and finished the match in just 40 minutes. Shi responded strongly in the second game, building a 15-11 lead before closing it out 21-13 to level the match and force a decider. The final game was a tense battle. Shetty established an early 11-5 advantage at the changeover, but Shi fought back relentlessly and narrowed the gap as the pressure mounted.&nbsp;With the home crowd firmly behind him, Shetty kept his composure during the crucial closing points. He held his nerve to win the decider 21-19 and complete a stunning three-game victory. The result marks a huge World Championships upset, with Shetty knocking out both the world no. 1 and the defending champion in emphatic fashion.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-sl-1st-test-suthar-jadeja-star-as-sri-lanka-bowled-out-for-284-india-lead-by-178-1786969216063">IND vs SL, 1st Test: Suthar, Jadeja star as Sri Lanka bowled out for 284, India lead by 178</a>&nbsp;Earlier in the day, Indian badminton star PV Sindhu made a strong start to the 2026 BWF World Championships at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, defeating Ireland’s Sophia Noble in straight games, 21-7, 21-11, in the women’s singles Round of 64. Playing in front of the home crowd, Sindhu dominated from the outset with precise drop shots and powerful smashes. Noble struggled to match her pace and attacking intensity as Sindhu comfortably took the opening game. The Indian continued her control in the second, fending off Noble’s attempts to fight back and sealing a convincing victory.&nbsp;With the win, Sindhu advanced to the Round of 32, where she will face Canada’s Wen Yu Zhang on Tuesday. The victory also adds to her remarkable World Championships record. Sindhu has now won five medals at the tournament, one gold, two silver and two bronze, matching China’s Zhang Ning for the most women’s singles medals in World Championships history.&nbsp;In the women’s doubles, Indian pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand also began their campaign with a comfortable victory. The World No. 19 duo defeated Spain’s Paula Lopez and Lucia Rodriguez 21-9, 21-13 in just over 30 minutes.Treesa and Gayatri controlled the contest from the beginning, with Treesa’s powerful smashes and Gayatri’s quick play at the net proving effective.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Spanish pair showed some resistance in the second game, but the Indians maintained their composure and led 11-7 at the interval before pulling away after the break. Treesa and Gayatri will meet American pair Lauren Lam and Allison Lee in the Round of 32 on Tuesday.

Ayush Shetty stuns Shi Yuqi at the 2026 BWF World Championships, while PV Sindhu and Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand advance in New Delhi

Ayush Shetty produced the biggest upset of his young career, defeating reigning world champion and world no. 1 Shi Yuqi 21-14, 13-21, 21-19 in a thrilling Round of 64 clash at the Badminton World Championships in New Delhi on Monday (August 17). Roared on by a packed crowd at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Shetty played with remarkable confidence against the defending champion. The Indian youngster attacked aggressively from the start, making sharp moves at the net, taking the shuttle early and using his powerful smashes to control the opening game 21-14. The victory marked a stunning turnaround from their previous meeting in the Badminton Asia Championships final, where Shi dominated the contest and finished the match in just 40 minutes. Shi responded strongly in the second game, building a 15-11 lead before closing it out 21-13 to level the match and force a decider. The final game was a tense battle. Shetty established an early 11-5 advantage at the changeover, but Shi fought back relentlessly and narrowed the gap as the pressure mounted. With the home crowd firmly behind him, Shetty kept his composure during the crucial closing points. He held his nerve to win the decider 21-19 and complete a stunning three-game victory. The result marks a huge World Championships upset, with Shetty knocking out both the world no. 1 and the defending champion in emphatic fashion. Also Read: IND vs SL, 1st Test: Suthar, Jadeja star as Sri Lanka bowled out for 284, India lead by 178 Earlier in the day, Indian badminton star PV Sindhu made a strong start to the 2026 BWF World Championships at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, defeating Ireland’s Sophia Noble in straight games, 21-7, 21-11, in the women’s singles Round of 64. Playing in front of the home crowd, Sindhu dominated from the outset with precise drop shots and powerful smashes. Noble struggled to match her pace and attacking intensity as Sindhu comfortably took the opening game. The Indian continued her control in the second, fending off Noble’s attempts to fight back and sealing a convincing victory. With the win, Sindhu advanced to the Round of 32, where she will face Canada’s Wen Yu Zhang on Tuesday. The victory also adds to her remarkable World Championships record. Sindhu has now won five medals at the tournament, one gold, two silver and two bronze, matching China’s Zhang Ning for the most women’s singles medals in World Championships history. In the women’s doubles, Indian pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand also began their campaign with a comfortable victory. The World No. 19 duo defeated Spain’s Paula Lopez and Lucia Rodriguez 21-9, 21-13 in just over 30 minutes. Treesa and Gayatri controlled the contest from the beginning, with Treesa’s powerful smashes and Gayatri’s quick play at the net proving effective. The Spanish pair showed some resistance in the second game, but the Indians maintained their composure and led 11-7 at the interval before pulling away after the break. Treesa and Gayatri will meet American pair Lauren Lam and Allison Lee in the Round of 32 on Tuesday.

Ayush Shetty stunned world no. 1 Shi Yuqi, while PV Sindhu and Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand advanced with wins at the 2026 BWF World Championships

BWF World Championships 2026: Ayush Shetty upsets reigning world champion Shi Yuqi in opening match; PV Sindhu wins

Former world champion PV Sindhu and Asian Games gold medallists Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will spearhead India's medal hopes as the BWF World Championships return to the country after 17 years. The 2026 edition of badminton's biggest individual tournament gets underway at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on Monday, with India looking to extend its remarkable record of winning at least one medal at every World Championships since 2011.&nbsp;With the prestigious event returning to Indian shores for the first time since 2009, the home contingent will hope to make the most of the familiar conditions and passionate support. Alongside Sindhu and the Satwik-Chirag pair, men's singles stars Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty will also be expected to make a deep run. For Sindhu, the tournament presents another opportunity to add to an already extraordinary World Championships record. The 2019 champion has won five medals, one gold, two silver and two bronze, and is chasing a record sixth medal in New Delhi.&nbsp;The ninth-seeded Sindhu will begin her campaign against Ireland's Sofia Nobel in the women's singles round of 64 on Monday. She could face China's third seed Wang Zhi Yi in the pre-quarterfinals, while a potential quarterfinal clash against Indonesia's sixth seed Putri Kusuma Wardani could await her thereafter. Sindhu's last World Championships medal came in 2019, when she became the first Indian to win the women's singles title. The 31-year-old, however, heads into the home tournament with renewed confidence after winning the Japan Open Super 750 title in July.&nbsp;"This world championships is very special for me because it is happening in India. I haven't won a medal in the championships for seven years but my confidence has received a boost after the Japan Open win and I am hopeful of winning one more medal here," said Sindhu, who watched the 2009 edition of the World Championships from the stands in Hyderabad. While Sindhu will be hoping to reclaim the title, defending champion Akane Yamaguchi of Japan will be aiming to create history by becoming the first women's singles player to win four World Championships gold medals. Yamaguchi and Spain's Carolina Marin are the only women's singles players to have won three World Championships titles. Their dominance has also contributed to China's long wait for a women's singles gold at the event, with its last title coming through Wang Yihan in 2011.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fih-hockey-world-cup-2026-indian-women-begin-campaign-with-2-2-draw-against-china-1786889562915">FIH Hockey World Cup 2026: Indian women begin campaign with 2-2 draw against China</a><h2>Ayush Shetty faces huge opening test</h2>One of the biggest talking points for Indian fans on the opening day will be the men's singles clash between Ayush Shetty and defending champion Shi Yu Qi. The 21-year-old Shetty, who won silver at the Asian Championships earlier this year, will make his World Championships debut on home soil against the world no. 1.&nbsp;Despite the daunting opponent, Shetty believes playing the biggest tournament of his career in India makes the occasion particularly special. "I would say it is the biggest tournament I have played so far. It is a really big tournament for everyone, even for the world's best players. I think it is a huge stage and it is happening in India," he said.&nbsp;Shetty has faced Shi Yu Qi three times previously and lost all three encounters. Asked whether facing the Chinese star in the opening round could be an advantage compared to meeting him later in the tournament, the youngster acknowledged the challenge ahead. "I think it is tough in whichever round you are playing Shi Yu Qi. It will be a first match of the tournament for me as well and I hope that it will be great match," said the 21-year-old, who currently has a 0-3 head-to-head record against the world number 1.<h2>Lakshya Sen, Satwik-Chirag among India's other medal hopes</h2>Lakshya Sen will begin his campaign on Tuesday against Austria's Collins Filimon. The 25-year-old, who celebrated his birthday on Sunday, has been handed a challenging draw that could see him meet second seed and former champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the pre-quarterfinals. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, meanwhile, have received a bye in the opening round. The fifth seeds and two-time World Championships bronze medallists will be among India's biggest medal contenders in the men's doubles draw.&nbsp;India will also be represented across the other doubles events. MR Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan will begin their men's doubles campaign against Ireland's Scott Guildea and Paul Reynolds, while Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand will face Spain's Paula Lopez and Lucia Rodriguez. Kavipriya Selvam and Simran Singhi will take on Spain's Nikol Carulla and Carmen Maria Jimenez in another women's doubles first-round encounter.&nbsp;India's mixed doubles combination of Ashith Surya and Amrutha Pramuthesh was promoted to the main draw and will face Turkey's Emre Sonmez and Yasemen Bektas. Japan's Riko Gunji and Thailand's Busanan Ongbamrungphan were also promoted in the women's singles draw following the withdrawals of Singapore's Yeo Jia Min and Spain's Clara Azurmendi after the draw was made.&nbsp;With the World Championships back in India after 17 years, the home contingent will be looking to turn the occasion into another landmark chapter in the country's badminton story. For Sindhu, it is a chance to chase another piece of history; for Satwik-Chirag, an opportunity to finally push for the title; and for young stars such as Ayush Shetty, a chance to announce themselves on the biggest stage of all.<h2>Indian matches on Monday</h2>Men's singles: Ayush Shetty vs 1-Shi Yuqi (China) Women's singles: 9-PV Sindhu vs Sofia Nobel (Ireland) Men's doubles: MR Arjun/Hariharan Amsakarunan vs Scott Guildea/Paul Reynolds (Ireland) Women's doubles: Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand vs Paula Lopez/Lucia Rodriguez (Spain) Women's doubles: Kavipriya Selvam/Simran Singhi vs Nikol Carulla/Carmen Maria Jimenez (Spain)

BWF World Championships 2026 begin in New Delhi as PV Sindhu, Satwik-Chirag, Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty lead India's medal hopes at home

Former world champion PV Sindhu and Asian Games gold medallists Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will spearhead India's medal hopes as the BWF World Championships return to the country after 17 years. The 2026 edition of badminton's biggest individual tournament gets underway at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on Monday, with India looking to extend its remarkable record of winning at least one medal at every World Championships since 2011. With the prestigious event returning to Indian shores for the first time since 2009, the home contingent will hope to make the most of the familiar conditions and passionate support. Alongside Sindhu and the Satwik-Chirag pair, men's singles stars Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty will also be expected to make a deep run. For Sindhu, the tournament presents another opportunity to add to an already extraordinary World Championships record. The 2019 champion has won five medals, one gold, two silver and two bronze, and is chasing a record sixth medal in New Delhi. The ninth-seeded Sindhu will begin her campaign against Ireland's Sofia Nobel in the women's singles round of 64 on Monday. She could face China's third seed Wang Zhi Yi in the pre-quarterfinals, while a potential quarterfinal clash against Indonesia's sixth seed Putri Kusuma Wardani could await her thereafter. Sindhu's last World Championships medal came in 2019, when she became the first Indian to win the women's singles title. The 31-year-old, however, heads into the home tournament with renewed confidence after winning the Japan Open Super 750 title in July. "This world championships is very special for me because it is happening in India. I haven't won a medal in the championships for seven years but my confidence has received a boost after the Japan Open win and I am hopeful of winning one more medal here," said Sindhu, who watched the 2009 edition of the World Championships from the stands in Hyderabad. While Sindhu will be hoping to reclaim the title, defending champion Akane Yamaguchi of Japan will be aiming to create history by becoming the first women's singles player to win four World Championships gold medals. Yamaguchi and Spain's Carolina Marin are the only women's singles players to have won three World Championships titles. Their dominance has also contributed to China's long wait for a women's singles gold at the event, with its last title coming through Wang Yihan in 2011. Also Read: FIH Hockey World Cup 2026: Indian women begin campaign with 2-2 draw against China Ayush Shetty faces huge opening test One of the biggest talking points for Indian fans on the opening day will be the men's singles clash between Ayush Shetty and defending champion Shi Yu Qi. The 21-year-old Shetty, who won silver at the Asian Championships earlier this year, will make his World Championships debut on home soil against the world no. 1. Despite the daunting opponent, Shetty believes playing the biggest tournament of his career in India makes the occasion particularly special. "I would say it is the biggest tournament I have played so far. It is a really big tournament for everyone, even for the world's best players. I think it is a huge stage and it is happening in India," he said. Shetty has faced Shi Yu Qi three times previously and lost all three encounters. Asked whether facing the Chinese star in the opening round could be an advantage compared to meeting him later in the tournament, the youngster acknowledged the challenge ahead. "I think it is tough in whichever round you are playing Shi Yu Qi. It will be a first match of the tournament for me as well and I hope that it will be great match," said the 21-year-old, who currently has a 0-3 head-to-head record against the world number 1. Lakshya Sen, Satwik-Chirag among India's other medal hopes Lakshya Sen will begin his campaign on Tuesday against Austria's Collins Filimon. The 25-year-old, who celebrated his birthday on Sunday, has been handed a challenging draw that could see him meet second seed and former champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the pre-quarterfinals. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, meanwhile, have received a bye in the opening round. The fifth seeds and two-time World Championships bronze medallists will be among India's biggest medal contenders in the men's doubles draw. India will also be represented across the other doubles events. MR Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan will begin their men's doubles campaign against Ireland's Scott Guildea and Paul Reynolds, while Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand will face Spain's Paula Lopez and Lucia Rodriguez. Kavipriya Selvam and Simran Singhi will take on Spain's Nikol Carulla and Carmen Maria Jimenez in another women's doubles first-round encounter. India's mixed doubles combination of Ashith Surya and Amrutha Pramuthesh was promoted to the main draw and will face Turkey's Emre Sonmez and Yasemen Bektas. Japan's Riko Gunji and Thailand's Busanan Ongbamrungphan were also promoted in the women's singles draw following the withdrawals of Singapore's Yeo Jia Min and Spain's Clara Azurmendi after the draw was made. With the World Championships back in India after 17 years, the home contingent will be looking to turn the occasion into another landmark chapter in the country's badminton story. For Sindhu, it is a chance to chase another piece of history; for Satwik-Chirag, an opportunity to finally push for the title; and for young stars such as Ayush Shetty, a chance to announce themselves on the biggest stage of all. Indian matches on Monday Men's singles: Ayush Shetty vs 1-Shi Yuqi (China) Women's singles: 9-PV Sindhu vs Sofia Nobel (Ireland) Men's doubles: MR Arjun/Hariharan Amsakarunan vs Scott Guildea/Paul Reynolds (Ireland) Women's doubles: Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand vs Paula Lopez/Lucia Rodriguez (Spain) Women's doubles: Kavipriya Selvam/Simran Singhi vs Nikol Carulla/Carmen Maria Jimenez (Spain)

PV Sindhu, Satwik-Chirag, Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty lead India's medal hopes as the BWF World Championships return to India after 17 years

BWF World Championships 2026: Sindhu, Satwik-Chirag lead India's home challenge

The BWF World Championships 2026 are set to bring the world's best badminton players to New Delhi as India prepares to host the prestigious tournament for the second time. The 30th edition of the Badminton World Championships will be held from August 17 to 23, 2026, at the Indira Gandhi Arena in New Delhi. The week-long tournament will feature five events, men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles, with the competition progressing from the opening rounds to the finals over seven days.&nbsp;According to the latest draft schedule approved by the referee, the tournament will begin with staggered opening rounds on August 17 and 18. From August 19, the competition will move into the knockout stages, with the quarter-finals, semifinals and finals scheduled from August 21 onwards.<h2>BWF World Championships 2026: Key details</h2><ul><li>Tournament: BWF World Championships 2026</li><li>Dates: August 17 to August 23, 2026</li><li>Venue: Indira Gandhi Arena, New Delhi</li><li>Events: Men's Singles, Women's Singles, Men's Doubles, Women's Doubles and Mixed Doubles</li><li>Host country: India</li></ul>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/no-fear-no-revenge-ayush-shetty-s-mindset-ahead-of-bwf-world-championships-blockbuster-match-1786569721414">'No fear, no revenge': Ayush Shetty’s mindset ahead Of BWF World Championships blockbuster match</a><h2>BWF World Championships 2026 full schedule</h2><h3>August 17: Opening round</h3>The tournament will begin with the Round of 64 in men's singles and women's singles, with the top half of the draws scheduled to compete. The men's doubles and women's doubles events will also get underway, with their Round of 48 matches taking place. The mixed doubles competition will similarly begin with Round of 48 action.<h3>August 18: Opening rounds continue</h3>The second day will feature the remaining half of the men's singles and women's singles Round of 64. The men's doubles and women's doubles competitions will continue, with the bottom half of their opening-round matches and the top half of the Round of 32 scheduled. Mixed doubles Round of 48 matches will also continue.<h3>August 19: Round of 32</h3>The tournament will move into the Round of 32 across all five disciplines. Men's singles, women's singles and men's doubles will feature Round of 32 matches, while women's doubles and mixed doubles will also progress through their respective Round of 32 fixtures.<h3>August 20: Round of 16</h3>The field will be reduced further on August 20, with Round of 16 matches scheduled in men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles. This will be the final round before the tournament enters the quarter-final stage.<h3>August 21: Quarterfinals</h3>The quarter-final stage will begin with all five disciplines in action. Quarterfinals will be contested in men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles as players and pairs battle for places in the semi-finals.<h3>August 22: Semifinals</h3>The semi-finals will take place across all five events. Men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles will all feature semi-final matches on August 22.<h3>August 23: Finals</h3>The BWF World Championships 2026 will conclude on August 23, with the finals scheduled across all five disciplines.Champions will be crowned in men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles on the final day.<h2>BWF World Championships 2026: Indian players</h2>India will look to make the most of home advantage, with some of the country's leading shuttlers expected to feature across all five disciplines.<h3>Men's singles</h3><ul><li>Lakshya Sen</li><li>Ayush Shetty</li></ul><h3>Women's singles</h3><ul><li>PV Sindhu</li><li>Unnati Hooda</li></ul><h3>Men's doubles</h3><ul><li>Satwiksairaj Rankireddy / Chirag Shetty</li><li>Hariharan Amsakarunan / M.R. Arjun</li></ul><h3>Women's doubles</h3><ul><li>Treesa Jolly / Gayatri Gopichand Pullela</li><li>Kavipriya Selvam / Simran Singhi</li></ul><h3>Mixed doubles</h3><ul><li>Dhruv Kapila / Tanisha Crasto</li><li>Rohan Kapoor / Ruthvika Shivani Gadde</li></ul>The return of the World Championships to India is expected to generate major interest among badminton fans. With the tournament taking place in New Delhi, India's leading players will have the opportunity to compete at one of badminton's biggest global events in front of a home crowd.&nbsp;PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen will be among the key names to watch in the singles events, while men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will carry significant expectations. India will also hope its emerging players and doubles combinations can make a strong impact as the tournament progresses.

BWF World Championships 2026 schedule, dates, venue and Indian players. Check the full August 17-23 timetable for the New Delhi badminton event

The BWF World Championships 2026 are set to bring the world's best badminton players to New Delhi as India prepares to host the prestigious tournament for the second time. The 30th edition of the Badminton World Championships will be held from August 17 to 23, 2026, at the Indira Gandhi Arena in New Delhi. The week-long tournament will feature five events, men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles, with the competition progressing from the opening rounds to the finals over seven days. According to the latest draft schedule approved by the referee, the tournament will begin with staggered opening rounds on August 17 and 18. From August 19, the competition will move into the knockout stages, with the quarter-finals, semifinals and finals scheduled from August 21 onwards. BWF World Championships 2026: Key details Tournament: BWF World Championships 2026 Dates: August 17 to August 23, 2026 Venue: Indira Gandhi Arena, New Delhi Events: Men's Singles, Women's Singles, Men's Doubles, Women's Doubles and Mixed Doubles Host country: India Also Read: 'No fear, no revenge': Ayush Shetty’s mindset ahead Of BWF World Championships blockbuster match BWF World Championships 2026 full schedule August 17: Opening round The tournament will begin with the Round of 64 in men's singles and women's singles, with the top half of the draws scheduled to compete. The men's doubles and women's doubles events will also get underway, with their Round of 48 matches taking place. The mixed doubles competition will similarly begin with Round of 48 action. August 18: Opening rounds continue The second day will feature the remaining half of the men's singles and women's singles Round of 64. The men's doubles and women's doubles competitions will continue, with the bottom half of their opening-round matches and the top half of the Round of 32 scheduled. Mixed doubles Round of 48 matches will also continue. August 19: Round of 32 The tournament will move into the Round of 32 across all five disciplines. Men's singles, women's singles and men's doubles will feature Round of 32 matches, while women's doubles and mixed doubles will also progress through their respective Round of 32 fixtures. August 20: Round of 16 The field will be reduced further on August 20, with Round of 16 matches scheduled in men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles. This will be the final round before the tournament enters the quarter-final stage. August 21: Quarterfinals The quarter-final stage will begin with all five disciplines in action. Quarterfinals will be contested in men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles as players and pairs battle for places in the semi-finals. August 22: Semifinals The semi-finals will take place across all five events. Men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles will all feature semi-final matches on August 22. August 23: Finals The BWF World Championships 2026 will conclude on August 23, with the finals scheduled across all five disciplines. Champions will be crowned in men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles on the final day. BWF World Championships 2026: Indian players India will look to make the most of home advantage, with some of the country's leading shuttlers expected to feature across all five disciplines. Men's singles Lakshya Sen Ayush Shetty Women's singles PV Sindhu Unnati Hooda Men's doubles Satwiksairaj Rankireddy / Chirag Shetty Hariharan Amsakarunan / M.R. Arjun Women's doubles Treesa Jolly / Gayatri Gopichand Pullela Kavipriya Selvam / Simran Singhi Mixed doubles Dhruv Kapila / Tanisha Crasto Rohan Kapoor / Ruthvika Shivani Gadde The return of the World Championships to India is expected to generate major interest among badminton fans. With the tournament taking place in New Delhi, India's leading players will have the opportunity to compete at one of badminton's biggest global events in front of a home crowd. PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen will be among the key names to watch in the singles events, while men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will carry significant expectations. India will also hope its emerging players and doubles combinations can make a strong impact as the tournament progresses.

BWF World Championships 2026 in New Delhi run August 17-23, featuring five events, India's top shuttlers and a week of world-class badminton

BWF World Championships 2026: Full schedule, India’s top players, dates and venue

Ayush Shetty is not interested in measuring himself against the legends who came before him. As he prepares to make his BWF World Championships debut on home soil, the young Indian shuttler is instead focused on carving out a legacy of his own. “I think I don't see it as a benchmark to chase. I think I would like to set my own benchmark,” Ayush said ahead of the BWF World Championships 2026 in New Delhi.&nbsp;The challenge awaiting Ayush could hardly be bigger. Drawn against world no. 1 Shi Yuqi in the opening round, the Indian knows he will have little room for error. However, rather than being overwhelmed by the prospect, Ayush insists he was prepared for whoever came his way after entering the draw as an unseeded player. “I was ready to face anyone as I was unseeded. So I think I was prepared to even play the world number one,” he said, describing his immediate reaction to the draw as simply treating it as “another match”, albeit one that promises to be a “really tough battle.”&nbsp;The matchup is not unfamiliar territory for Ayush. He has faced Shi Yuqi multiple times, including at the Asian Championships, where he suffered a defeat. But there is no talk of revenge. Instead, Ayush believes those previous encounters have given him valuable information that can help him approach the World Championships clash differently.“I think there’s no revenge kind of emotion. But I think it’s a new tournament,” he said. “I’m not really thinking about my loss at the Asian Championship. But definitely, I’ll be analysing my match. And I think I’ll be more prepared.”&nbsp;For Ayush, the biggest difference this time will be tactical preparation. He feels his experience on the senior circuit has helped him bridge the gap against the world's leading players. When he first stepped into senior badminton, matching the pace of top-20 opponents was a major challenge. Now, he believes he has adapted. “I think now, I’ve adapted to it. I think I can push them, play at their pace. I think I’m more confident now,” Ayush said.&nbsp;That growing confidence has also been reflected in his approach on court. Ayush admitted that his natural style has traditionally been more laid-back, but he has consciously worked on becoming more aggressive and expressive. “I think I’ve been trying to be more aggressive. I think it helps me get more energy,” he said. “My natural style would be a bit more laid back, not express much. But I think I’ve been trying more things, like to be more aggressive on court.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/asian-games-2026-cricket-india-vs-pakistan-medal-match-1786558131039">Asian Games 2026: No India-Pakistan cricket match unless it’s for the medal</a>&nbsp;The changes have extended beyond his on-court body language. Ayush said his preparations for the World Championships have targeted every aspect of his game, with a particular focus on physical conditioning, tactics, speed, agility and accuracy. His work with coach has also brought a more demanding training regime. “I think the training has been a lot tougher… We have been training really long as well,” Ayush said, adding that the focus has been on becoming “much more faster, much more agile” and playing more aggressively.&nbsp;The World Championships will also carry an added emotional significance for Ayush. India is hosting the tournament, and he will make his global debut in front of the home crowd. He accepts that comes with pressure, but believes the excitement outweighs it. “I think it’s both. There is pressure. But I think it’s more of an excitement, playing at home. I think it’s a really special feeling,” he said. Rather than looking too far ahead, Ayush is taking a match-by-match approach. His immediate focus remains the opening-round battle, with little thought being given to potential opponents in the later stages.&nbsp;“Right now, the main focus is on the first round,” he said. “I’m not thinking much about who is coming next. So, yeah, our focus has been more on the first round.” And while the history of Indian badminton at the World Championships provides inspiration, Ayush does not want it to become a burden. He wants to enjoy his debut, compete on his own terms and build his own story. “I think I would enjoy the game,” he said. “Since it’s at home, I think there is pressure definitely. But I think it’s a great opportunity for me to debut at the World Championship in India. I think I see it as a really special tournament.”&nbsp;For the youngster who started playing badminton at the age of eight after watching his father, the journey has now reached a defining stage. His philosophy remains remarkably simple: improve every day, trust the process and enjoy the sport. “I focus more on myself, getting better every day… believing in the process. And just enjoying playing badminton. I think that’s been my motto all along.” Now, with the world's biggest badminton stage waiting and the home crowd behind him, Ayush Shetty has a chance to begin writing his own chapter, one that he hopes will eventually become a benchmark for the generation that follows.

Ayush Shetty opens up on his BWF World Championships debut, facing world no. 1, home pressure, preparation and his ambition to set his own benchmark

Ayush Shetty is not interested in measuring himself against the legends who came before him. As he prepares to make his BWF World Championships debut on home soil, the young Indian shuttler is instead focused on carving out a legacy of his own. “I think I don't see it as a benchmark to chase. I think I would like to set my own benchmark,” Ayush said ahead of the BWF World Championships 2026 in New Delhi. The challenge awaiting Ayush could hardly be bigger. Drawn against world no. 1 Shi Yuqi in the opening round, the Indian knows he will have little room for error. However, rather than being overwhelmed by the prospect, Ayush insists he was prepared for whoever came his way after entering the draw as an unseeded player. “I was ready to face anyone as I was unseeded. So I think I was prepared to even play the world number one,” he said, describing his immediate reaction to the draw as simply treating it as “another match”, albeit one that promises to be a “really tough battle.” The matchup is not unfamiliar territory for Ayush. He has faced Shi Yuqi multiple times, including at the Asian Championships, where he suffered a defeat. But there is no talk of revenge. Instead, Ayush believes those previous encounters have given him valuable information that can help him approach the World Championships clash differently. “I think there’s no revenge kind of emotion. But I think it’s a new tournament,” he said. “I’m not really thinking about my loss at the Asian Championship. But definitely, I’ll be analysing my match. And I think I’ll be more prepared.” For Ayush, the biggest difference this time will be tactical preparation. He feels his experience on the senior circuit has helped him bridge the gap against the world's leading players. When he first stepped into senior badminton, matching the pace of top-20 opponents was a major challenge. Now, he believes he has adapted. “I think now, I’ve adapted to it. I think I can push them, play at their pace. I think I’m more confident now,” Ayush said. That growing confidence has also been reflected in his approach on court. Ayush admitted that his natural style has traditionally been more laid-back, but he has consciously worked on becoming more aggressive and expressive. “I think I’ve been trying to be more aggressive. I think it helps me get more energy,” he said. “My natural style would be a bit more laid back, not express much. But I think I’ve been trying more things, like to be more aggressive on court.” Also Read: Asian Games 2026: No India-Pakistan cricket match unless it’s for the medal The changes have extended beyond his on-court body language. Ayush said his preparations for the World Championships have targeted every aspect of his game, with a particular focus on physical conditioning, tactics, speed, agility and accuracy. His work with coach has also brought a more demanding training regime. “I think the training has been a lot tougher… We have been training really long as well,” Ayush said, adding that the focus has been on becoming “much more faster, much more agile” and playing more aggressively. The World Championships will also carry an added emotional significance for Ayush. India is hosting the tournament, and he will make his global debut in front of the home crowd. He accepts that comes with pressure, but believes the excitement outweighs it. “I think it’s both. There is pressure. But I think it’s more of an excitement, playing at home. I think it’s a really special feeling,” he said. Rather than looking too far ahead, Ayush is taking a match-by-match approach. His immediate focus remains the opening-round battle, with little thought being given to potential opponents in the later stages. “Right now, the main focus is on the first round,” he said. “I’m not thinking much about who is coming next. So, yeah, our focus has been more on the first round.” And while the history of Indian badminton at the World Championships provides inspiration, Ayush does not want it to become a burden. He wants to enjoy his debut, compete on his own terms and build his own story. “I think I would enjoy the game,” he said. “Since it’s at home, I think there is pressure definitely. But I think it’s a great opportunity for me to debut at the World Championship in India. I think I see it as a really special tournament.” For the youngster who started playing badminton at the age of eight after watching his father, the journey has now reached a defining stage. His philosophy remains remarkably simple: improve every day, trust the process and enjoy the sport. “I focus more on myself, getting better every day… believing in the process. And just enjoying playing badminton. I think that’s been my motto all along.” Now, with the world's biggest badminton stage waiting and the home crowd behind him, Ayush Shetty has a chance to begin writing his own chapter, one that he hopes will eventually become a benchmark for the generation that follows.

Ayush Shetty is ready for his BWF World Championships debut, embracing the challenge of facing the world no. 1 and aiming to set his own benchmark

'No fear, no revenge': Ayush Shetty’s mindset ahead Of BWF World Championships blockbuster match

Ace Indian shuttler PV Sindhu has backed the deployment of mimicry artists at the upcoming BWF World Championships 2026 to keep the monkeys away. The tournament, set to be played from August 17-23 at Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi, has taken the unique measure of using artists to mimic the langur voices to keep the monkeys away from fans and the venue. The move has been laughed out at but Sindhu has come in support of it.<h2>What Sindhu said about mimicry artists to keep monkeys away at BWF World Championships?</h2>Sindhu, in reply to a social media posts, agreed '100%' with the unique method used by the tournament organizers to stop the money menace. The move came after the monkeys disrupted India Open in January earlier this year at the same venue.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">100%. I genuinely don’t understand the outrage. We all love Wimbledon, and they’ve had Rufus the hawk keeping pigeons away for years. Every major sporting event has its own local challenges. This is just one additional measure on top of the countless measures already being… <a href="https://t.co/M64eyyPXBx">https://t.co/M64eyyPXBx</a>&mdash; PV Sindhu (@Pvsindhu1) <a href="https://x.com/Pvsindhu1/status/2087404848954421358?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"I genuinely don’t understand the outrage. We all love Wimbledon, and they’ve had Rufus the hawk keeping pigeons away for years. Every major sporting event has its own local challenges. This is just one additional measure on top of the countless measures already being taken. Somehow that becomes the talking point. Can’t wait for the world to experience Indian hospitality. I’m 100% sure we’re going to deliver a world-class World Championships," she wrote in the post.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/jets-cb-qwan-tez-stiggers-carted-off-field-after-losing-consciousness-coach-shares-health-update-1786505903243">Jets CB Qwan’tez Stiggers carted off field after losing consciousness</a>India had done the same during 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi when red langurs where deployed to keep the monkeys away. The use of acutal animals, however, was banned in 2012 under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.<h2>Indian hopes at BWF World Championships</h2>Hosting the tournament after 17 years, India would be hoping to win big and take full advantage of home court at the upcoming BWF World Championships. PV Sindhu, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty and Lakshya Sen lead the Indian contingent with Ayush Shetty set to face top seed Shi Yu Qi from China in the men's singles first round.

PV Sindhu supported using mimicry artists to imitate langur voices and deter monkeys at the 2026 BWF World Championships in New Delhi, comparing it to Wimbledon’s use of a hawk for pigeon control.

Ace Indian shuttler PV Sindhu has backed the deployment of mimicry artists at the upcoming BWF World Championships 2026 to keep the monkeys away. The tournament, set to be played from August 17-23 at Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi, has taken the unique measure of using artists to mimic the langur voices to keep the monkeys away from fans and the venue. The move has been laughed out at but Sindhu has come in support of it. What Sindhu said about mimicry artists to keep monkeys away at BWF World Championships? Sindhu, in reply to a social media posts, agreed '100%' with the unique method used by the tournament organizers to stop the money menace. The move came after the monkeys disrupted India Open in January earlier this year at the same venue.

PV Sindhu supported using mimicry artists to imitate langur voices and deter monkeys at the 2026 BWF World Championships in New Delhi, comparing it to Wimbledon’s use of a hawk for pigeon control.

BWF World Championships: PV Sindhu cites Wimbledon’s Hawk to defend monkey-control plan

India is set to host the BWF World Championships at the Indira Gandhi indoor stadium in New Delhi from August 17-23, 2026 and the organizers have deployed unique solutions to keep the monkeys away. Specialist artists have been hired to mimic langurs to keep the monkeys and other animals away from the fans in the stand. This comes after monkeys disrupted the Indian Open in January earlier this year. Star Indian shutter PV Sindhu, meanwhile, has appreciated the unique solution to ensure safe games.<h2>PV Sindhu lauds unqiue efforts to keep monkeys away at BWF World Championships</h2>“You can laugh at the solution, but you have to love the effort. So many people are working behind the scenes to make sure India is ready to welcome the world. Our solutions may be uniquely Indian, but so are our warmth, our spirit and our hospitality. Can’t wait for the badminton world to experience it all in Delhi. See you soon!,” She posted on X with a video of an artist mimicking the voice of langurs to keep the rhesus macaques away.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">You can laugh at the solution, but you have to love the effort 😂❤️🇮🇳 So many people are working behind the scenes to make sure India is ready to welcome the world. Our solutions may be uniquely Indian, but so are our warmth, our spirit and our hospitality. Can’t wait for the… <a href="https://t.co/ORDFuAkITL">https://t.co/ORDFuAkITL</a>&mdash; PV Sindhu (@Pvsindhu1) <a href="https://x.com/Pvsindhu1/status/2086821204145668537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

India had done the same during 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi when red langurs where deployed to keep the monkeys away. The use of acutal animals, however, was banned in 2012 under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/hardik-pandya-ipl-trade-talks-mumbai-indians-kkr-csk-1786364042741">Hardik Pandya IPL Trade Deal: KKR keen, CSK await new coach as MI hold firm</a><h2>India hopes big at BWF World Championships</h2>Hosting the tournament after 17 years, India would be hoping to win big and take full advantage of home court at the upcoming BWF World Championships. PV Sindhu, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty and Lakshya Sen lead the Indian contingent with Ayush Shetty set to face top seed Shi Yu Qi from China in the men's singles first round.Unnati Hooda is the other player in the women's singles along with PV Sindhu, who is seeded ninth and faces Sophia Noble in the first round.Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand and Kavipriya Selvam/Simran Singhi play in women's doubles, Dhruv Kapila/Tanisha Crasto (bye in first round) and Rohan Kapoor/Ruthvika Shivani Gadde in mixed doubles, Hariharan Amsakarunan/MR Arjun in men's doubles apart from Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty who also got a bye in the first round.

India had done the same during 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi when red langurs where deployed to keep the monkeys away. The use of acutal animals, however, was banned in 2012 under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

India is set to host the BWF World Championships at the Indira Gandhi indoor stadium in New Delhi from August 17-23, 2026 and the organizers have deployed unique solutions to keep the monkeys away. Specialist artists have been hired to mimic langurs to keep the monkeys and other animals away from the fans in the stand. This comes after monkeys disrupted the Indian Open in January earlier this year. Star Indian shutter PV Sindhu, meanwhile, has appreciated the unique solution to ensure safe games. PV Sindhu lauds unqiue efforts to keep monkeys away at BWF World Championships “You can laugh at the solution, but you have to love the effort. So many people are working behind the scenes to make sure India is ready to welcome the world. Our solutions may be uniquely Indian, but so are our warmth, our spirit and our hospitality. Can’t wait for the badminton world to experience it all in Delhi. See you soon!,” She posted on X with a video of an artist mimicking the voice of langurs to keep the rhesus macaques away.

India had done the same during 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi when red langurs where deployed to keep the monkeys away. The use of acutal animals, however, was banned in 2012 under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

'Uniquely Indian': PV Sindhu praises langur mimicry atrists depolyed to keep monkeys away at BWF World Championships

India's medal contenders got a mixed draw for the BWF World Championships 2026, set to be held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi from August 17 to 23. The biggest opening-round contest features Asian Championships silver medallist Ayush Shetty, who faces defending champion and world no. 1 Shi Yuqi of China. Former world champion PV Sindhu starts her campaign against Ireland's Sophia Nobel, currently ranked world no. 141, while Lakshya Sen will take on Austria's Collins Valentine Filimon in the men's singles first round. If he advances, Lakshya could meet second seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand in the pre-quarterfinals.&nbsp;India's top men's doubles pair, fifth seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, have received a first-round bye. They will open their campaign against either Scotland's Alexander Dunn and Adam Pringle or Thailand's Chaloempon Charoenkitamorn and Worrapol Thongsa-Nga. India is hosting the BWF World Championships for the first time in 17 years. The official draw ceremony was held in New Delhi on Wednesday. Badminton Association of India General Secretary Sanjay Mishra revealed that more than ₹20 crore has been invested in upgrading the Indira Gandhi Multipurpose Indoor Stadium, expressing confidence that the event would set new benchmarks for world badminton.&nbsp;All eyes will be on PV Sindhu, who heads into the tournament in strong form after winning the Japan Open last month. Sindhu has avoided world no. 1 An Se Young of South Korea and defending champion Akane Yamaguchi of Japan until the later stages. However, she is projected to face third seed Wang Zhi Yi of China in the pre-quarterfinals, with a possible quarterfinal clash against Indonesia's Putri Wardani. For Satwik and Chirag, a potential round-of-16 meeting against Indonesia's Raymond Indra and Nikolaus Joaquin, finalists at the Indonesia Open earlier this year, could be their first significant challenge.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/viv-richards-calls-for-truce-between-wi-coach-sammy-and-pacer-alzaari-joseph-1785999655674">Viv Richards calls for truce between WI coach Sammy and pacer Alzaari Joseph</a>&nbsp;Chief national coach Pullela Gopichand described the men's singles field as one of the most competitive in recent years. He believes Ayush Shetty's aggressive style could make his opening-round clash against Shi Yuqi more competitive than if the two met later in the tournament. Ayush has lost all three previous meetings against Shi but has pushed the Chinese star in their recent encounters, offering hope of a strong performance.&nbsp;In women's singles, Unnati Hooda will face Myanmar's Thet Htar Thuzar in the opening round and could meet 13th seed Michelle Li of Canada next. India's 15th-seeded mixed doubles pair, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto, also received a first-round bye and are likely to meet China's sixth-seeded duo Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui in the round of 16. Another Indian mixed doubles pair, Rohan Kapoor and G Ruthvika Shivani, begin against Canada's Jonathan Lai and Crystal Lai, with top seeds Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping potentially awaiting them in the second round.&nbsp;In women's doubles, Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly will open against Spain's Paula Lopez and Lucia Rodriguez. If successful, they are expected to face 16th seeds Lauren Lam and Allison Lee of the United States. Debutants Simran Singhi and Kavipriya Selvam take on Spain's Nikol Carulla and Carmen Jimenez in the opening round. A win would set up a meeting with five-time European champions Gabriela Stoeva and Stefani Stoeva. India's other men's doubles pair, MR Arjun and Hariharan, begin their campaign against Ireland's Scott Guildea and Paul Reynolds.

 BWF World Championships 2026 draw sees Ayush Shetty face Shi Yuqi, while PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Satwik-Chirag and other Indian shuttlers begin their medal quest in New Delhi

India's medal contenders got a mixed draw for the BWF World Championships 2026, set to be held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi from August 17 to 23. The biggest opening-round contest features Asian Championships silver medallist Ayush Shetty, who faces defending champion and world no. 1 Shi Yuqi of China. Former world champion PV Sindhu starts her campaign against Ireland's Sophia Nobel, currently ranked world no. 141, while Lakshya Sen will take on Austria's Collins Valentine Filimon in the men's singles first round. If he advances, Lakshya could meet second seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand in the pre-quarterfinals. India's top men's doubles pair, fifth seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, have received a first-round bye. They will open their campaign against either Scotland's Alexander Dunn and Adam Pringle or Thailand's Chaloempon Charoenkitamorn and Worrapol Thongsa-Nga. India is hosting the BWF World Championships for the first time in 17 years. The official draw ceremony was held in New Delhi on Wednesday. Badminton Association of India General Secretary Sanjay Mishra revealed that more than ₹20 crore has been invested in upgrading the Indira Gandhi Multipurpose Indoor Stadium, expressing confidence that the event would set new benchmarks for world badminton. All eyes will be on PV Sindhu, who heads into the tournament in strong form after winning the Japan Open last month. Sindhu has avoided world no. 1 An Se Young of South Korea and defending champion Akane Yamaguchi of Japan until the later stages. However, she is projected to face third seed Wang Zhi Yi of China in the pre-quarterfinals, with a possible quarterfinal clash against Indonesia's Putri Wardani. For Satwik and Chirag, a potential round-of-16 meeting against Indonesia's Raymond Indra and Nikolaus Joaquin, finalists at the Indonesia Open earlier this year, could be their first significant challenge. Also Read: Viv Richards calls for truce between WI coach Sammy and pacer Alzaari Joseph Chief national coach Pullela Gopichand described the men's singles field as one of the most competitive in recent years. He believes Ayush Shetty's aggressive style could make his opening-round clash against Shi Yuqi more competitive than if the two met later in the tournament. Ayush has lost all three previous meetings against Shi but has pushed the Chinese star in their recent encounters, offering hope of a strong performance. In women's singles, Unnati Hooda will face Myanmar's Thet Htar Thuzar in the opening round and could meet 13th seed Michelle Li of Canada next. India's 15th-seeded mixed doubles pair, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto, also received a first-round bye and are likely to meet China's sixth-seeded duo Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui in the round of 16. Another Indian mixed doubles pair, Rohan Kapoor and G Ruthvika Shivani, begin against Canada's Jonathan Lai and Crystal Lai, with top seeds Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping potentially awaiting them in the second round. In women's doubles, Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly will open against Spain's Paula Lopez and Lucia Rodriguez. If successful, they are expected to face 16th seeds Lauren Lam and Allison Lee of the United States. Debutants Simran Singhi and Kavipriya Selvam take on Spain's Nikol Carulla and Carmen Jimenez in the opening round. A win would set up a meeting with five-time European champions Gabriela Stoeva and Stefani Stoeva. India's other men's doubles pair, MR Arjun and Hariharan, begin their campaign against Ireland's Scott Guildea and Paul Reynolds.

Ayush Shetty faces world champion Shi Yuqi as PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen and India's top doubles pairs got to know their BWF Worlds 2026 draws

BWF World Championships 2026 draw: Ayush Shetty to face Shi Yuqi in first round; PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen get easy opener

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