Historic Glory in New Delhi: France and South Korea Shine at BWF World Championships 2026

NEW DELHI: The curtain fell on a spectacular week of elite badminton in New Delhi on Sunday, as the 2026 BWF World Championships concluded with crowning moments that will be etched into the sport’s history books. Spanning from August 17 to 23, the tournament served as a stage for both the endurance of reigning legends and the emergence of new icons, with France, South Korea, and China sharing the spoils of victory.

A Historic Day for French Badminton

France emerged as the undisputed breakout nation of the 2026 championships. The day began with a monumental achievement in the mixed doubles category, as Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue secured France’s first-ever gold medal in the history of the tournament. The duo stunned the world No. 1 seeds, China’s Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping, in a grueling three-game battle (22-20, 19-21, 21-15).

The momentum shifted from the mixed doubles court to the men’s singles final, where Alex Lanier cemented his place in badminton history. The ninth-seeded Frenchman delivered a masterclass performance to dismantle Japan’s Kodai Naraoka 21-11, 21-11 in under an hour. Lanier’s path to the title was far from easy, marked by gritty comeback victories against defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn and Canada’s Victor Lai, proving he is a force to be reckoned with on the world stage.

An Se-young’s Continued Dominance

South Korea’s An Se-young solidified her status as the queen of women’s singles, successfully defending her world title. In a clash of titans against Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi, An displayed composure beyond her years. After taking a tense opening game 21-17, the Korean star surged ahead in the second, closing out the match 21-14 to claim her second consecutive world championship crown.

South Korea Breaks a 31-Year Drought

The celebrations for South Korea did not end with the singles title. The women’s doubles pair of Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee ended a 31-year gold medal drought for their country in the category. The third-ranked duo dismantled the top-seeded Chinese pair, Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning, in straight sets (21-15, 21-15). The victory marked South Korea’s first women’s doubles world title since the legendary partnership of Gil Young-ah and Jang Hye-ouk in 1995.

Chinese Power in Men’s Doubles

While France and South Korea dominated headlines, China ensured they remained at the top of the podium in the men’s doubles. The pair of Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang displayed tactical consistency and raw power to defeat Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin. By maintaining a high tempo throughout the match, the Chinese pair neutralized the Malaysian challenge with a decisive 21-17, 21-16 victory.

As the tournament concluded in the Indian capital, it became clear that the landscape of international badminton is shifting. With France claiming their maiden titles and South Korea reaffirming their historical strength, the 2026 BWF World Championships will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the evolution of the sport.