Ranzi Sports

The 2026 BWF World Championships in New Delhi concluded with a final day packed with history, emotion and world-class badminton at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. Five titles were decided, with France and South Korea emerging as the biggest winners, while India marked its own milestone with a historic bronze medal in women’s doubles.

In mixed doubles, Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue wrote a new chapter for French badminton. Facing the world No. 1 Chinese pair Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping, they held their nerve in a tight three-game final, winning 22–20, 19–21, 21–15. It was France’s first-ever world title in mixed doubles and set the tone for a golden day for the French contingent.

The men’s singles final saw 21-year-old Alex Lanier become the first Frenchman to win a world title in the event. Against Japan’s Kodai Naraoka, Lanier produced a composed and clinical performance, winning 21–11, 21–11 in just under 50 minutes. His victory capped a remarkable tournament run that included wins over some of the world’s best players and confirmed his arrival as a major force in men’s badminton.

In women’s singles, An Se-young reaffirmed her status as the dominant player in the world. The South Korean world No. 1 defeated defending champion Akane Yamaguchi of Japan 21–17, 21–14 to claim her second world title. An’s control of the rallies, sharp net play and mental strength were decisive as she extended her unbeaten record in India and added another major crown to her career.

The women’s doubles title went to South Korea’s Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee, who ended their country’s 31-year wait for a world title in the event. They defeated the top-seeded Chinese pair Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning 21–15, 21–15 in a confident display. Their win was built on strong defence, intelligent rotation and consistent pressure, and it marked a significant moment for Korean women’s doubles.

In men’s doubles, China’s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang secured China’s only gold medal of the tournament. They overcame Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik 21–17, 21–16 in a high-quality final. The Chinese pair’s aggressive attacking play and sharp net exchanges proved decisive as they claimed their first world title together.

For India, the tournament will be remembered for the breakthrough performance of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela. The unseeded pair won bronze in women’s doubles after losing to the world No. 1 Chinese pair in the semi-finals. Their run included victories over several seeded teams and ended a 15-year wait for an Indian women’s doubles medal at the World Championships.

The final day in New Delhi delivered new champions, national firsts and emotional milestones. From France’s historic doubles and singles triumphs to An Se-young’s title defence and India’s long-awaited women’s doubles medal, the 2026 BWF World Championships will be remembered as a tournament that celebrated the depth and drama of modern badminton.