2026 BWF World Championships Final Results: Historic Double Gold for France
The 30th edition of the BWF World Championships concluded in magnificent style at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday, August 23, 2026. Delivering one of the most remarkable days in modern badminton history, European badminton reached heights unseen since the tournament’s inaugural 1977 edition, while South Korea matched the gold rush to establish a new order at the pinnacle of the sport.
With powerhouse China dropping three out of their four final appearances, France and South Korea emerged as the dominant forces, each capturing two world titles.
France Makes History: First European Country Since 1977 to Win Multiple Golds
Prior to Sunday, no European nation had captured more than a single gold medal at a single World Championships edition since Denmark won three golds back at the inaugural 1977 tournament. Furthermore, Europe had not claimed gold in a paired event since Denmark’s Thomas Laybourn and Kamilla Rytter-Juhl won mixed doubles in 2009—coincidentally, also hosted in India.
France shattered both history books in a matter of hours.
1. Mixed Doubles: Gicquel/Delrue Deliver Tactical Masterclass
In the opening match of finals day, 5th seeds Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue stunned Chinese top seeds Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping in a brilliant tactical contest to claim France’s first-ever World Championship gold medal.
By executing a aggressive game plan that effectively neutralized Huang at the net, the French pair repeatedly disrupted China’s rhythm. Bolder still, Gicquel and Delrue routinely utilized flick-serves against Feng—including on match point—to seal the historic victory.
“A lot of emotion, really, really happy and super proud to win the first gold for France,” Delrue said following the victory. “It’s amazing to hear the national anthem on the podium for the first time.”
Gicquel added: “We’re thinking, it’s amazing to be between two Chinese flags. When you are 10 years old you don’t really think that can happen. It’s really important for French badminton.”
2. Men’s Singles: Alex Lanier Dominates Kodai Naraoka
Following the mixed doubles triumph, 21-year-old Alex Lanier cemented his status as the premier physical powerhouse in men’s singles. Facing Japan’s 10th seed Kodai Naraoka, Lanier imposed his relentless speed, steep attacking clears, and raw power from the opening point.
The Frenchman wore down Naraoka’s famous defense in just 50 minutes, closing out a commanding 21-11, 21-11 victory to become the first French singles player in history to win a World Championship title.
“By doing my best and delivering on court, I also honoured the flag and I was proud to see the flag going up,” Lanier reflected. “I knew I had the legs to accelerate from time to time… It hurt Kodai a lot and it gave me confidence that you play the rally… Definitely I capitalised on that.”
South Korea Matches Gold Tally with Two Titles
South Korea equaled France’s double-gold performance with dominant displays in women’s singles and women’s doubles.
1. Women’s Singles: An Se-young Claims Second World Title
Top seed and Olympic champion An Se-young produced a textbook performance of power, pace, and precision to dismantle Japan’s 2nd seed Akane Yamaguchi. Despite Yamaguchi entering the tournament on a six-final winning streak, An seized control of the opening game and pulled away smoothly to secure her second career World Championship crown.
2. Women’s Doubles: Lee So-hee Makes History at 32
In women’s doubles, 3rd seeds Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee delivered a major upset against Chinese top seeds Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning. Staying patient through windy court conditions, the Korean pair capitalized on Chinese errors to win 21-15, 21-15.
The victory gave South Korea its first women’s doubles gold in 31 years, while the 32-year-old Lee So-hee became the oldest women’s doubles World Champion in history.
“I didn’t expect to win a World Championships gold at the age of 32. But with the help of Baek Ha Na, I was able to achieve this,” Lee stated post-match.
China Redeems Day with Men’s Doubles Title
After losing gold medal matches in mixed doubles and women’s doubles, China found redemption in the men’s doubles final. 3rd seeds Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang withstood intense pressure against Malaysia’s 2022 champions Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, breaking away after 14-all in the first game to capture gold with a 21-17, 21-16 victory.
Complete 2026 BWF World Championships Final Results
Below is the full breakdown of medalists across all five disciplines from New Delhi:
| Discipline | Gold Medalist | Silver Medalist | Bronze Medalists |
| Men’s Singles | Alex Lanier (FRA) [9] | Kodai Naraoka (JPN) [10] | Chou Tien-chen (TPE) [6] — Victor Lai (CAN) [7] |
| Women’s Singles | An Se-young (KOR) [1] | Akane Yamaguchi (JPN) [2] | Wang Zhiyi (CHN) [3] — Pornpawee Chochuwong (THA) [10] |
| Men’s Doubles | Liang Weikeng / Wang Chang (CHN) [3] | Aaron Chia / Soh Wooi Yik (MAS) [4] | Kim Won-ho / Seo Seung-jae (KOR) [1] — Lee Jhe-huei / Yang Po-hsuan (TPE) |
| Women’s Doubles | Baek Ha-na / Lee So-hee (KOR) [3] | Liu Shengshu / Tan Ning (CHN) [1] | Treesa Jolly / Gayatri Gopichand (IND) — Li Yijing / Luo Xumin (CHN) [8] |
| Mixed Doubles | Thom Gicquel / Delphine Delrue (FRA) [5] | Feng Yanzhe / Huang Dongping (CHN) [1] | Amri Syahnawi / Nita Violina Marwah (INA) — Jiang Zhenbang / Wei Yaxin (CHN) [2] |
