2026 Badminton Asia Championships Final Results: South Korea Dominates

NINGBO, China – The 2026 Badminton Asia Championships concluded on Sunday at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Center, delivering a day of high-octane drama, injury-induced heartbreak, and a definitive statement of intent from South Korea. On a day where regional supremacy was at stake, South Korea emerged as the clear powerhouse, securing three gold medals and silencing a partisan home crowd.

An Se-young Reclaims the Throne

The day opened with a heavyweight clash in the Women’s Singles final that lived up to its billing as a generational rivalry. World No. 1 An Se-young faced off against China’s Wang Zhiyi in a grueling 100-minute marathon that tested the physical limits of both athletes.

An Se-young started with her trademark surgical precision, taking the first set 21-12 by moving Wang into the corners and exploiting unforced errors. However, Wang Zhiyi, buoyed by the Ningbo spectators, fought back with incredible defensive tenacity to clinch the second set 21-17.

The decider was a chess match of high clears and deceptive drops. Despite visible fatigue, An Se-young’s mental fortitude proved the difference. She closed out the match 21-18 in the third, securing her status as the queen of Asian badminton and setting the tone for the Korean contingent.

A Bitter-Sweet Victory in Women’s Doubles

The Women’s Doubles final ended in anti-climactic and somber fashion. The top-seeded Chinese pair Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning were the heavy favorites to take gold on home soil. However, disaster struck early in the first set.

With the score at 8-5 in favor of the challengers Li Yijing and Luo Xumin, Liu Shengshu suffered an apparent lower-leg injury during a backcourt smash recovery. After a brief medical timeout, the top seeds were forced to retire (RET), handing the gold medal to their compatriots Li and Luo. While the victory kept the gold in China, the atmosphere in the arena remained hushed as the silver medalists were assisted off the court.

South Korean Masterclass in Men’s Doubles

The Men’s Doubles final was an all-Korean affair, showcasing the incredible depth of the nation’s doubles program. The veteran pair Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae faced the rising duo of Kang Min-hyuk and Ki Dong-ju.

Kim and Seo put on a defensive masterclass, neutralizing the explosive smashes of Kang and Ki. They controlled the net with clinical efficiency, winning in straight sets:

• Set 1: 21-13
• Set 2: 21-17

The victory marked Seo Seung-jae’s continued individual brilliance on the world stage, further cementing his reputation as one of the most versatile players in the modern era.

Shi Yuqi Restores Pride for the Hosts

In the Men’s Singles final, the veteran Shi Yuqi provided the home fans with the clinical performance they had been waiting for. Facing India’s rising sensation Ayush Shetty—the tournament’s “dark horse” who had stunned several seeds on his way to the final—Shi Yuqi showed that experience remains the ultimate currency.

Shetty, who had played high-intensity badminton all week, seemed to hit a physical wall. Shi Yuqi dismantled the youngster’s defense with ease, moving him across the court with devastating accuracy. The scoreline reflected a total dominance: 21-8, 21-10. While Shetty leaves with a historic silver for India, Shi Yuqi’s victory ensured China secured two gold medals in the overall tally.

Final Medal Tally & Prize Distribution

The 2026 championships saw a shift in the regional hierarchy. South Korea topped the table with an impressive haul of three golds, while China followed closely behind.

Medal Table

Host nation indicated by asterisk.

Prize Money Highlights

The total prize pool of US$550,000 was distributed among the elite performers. The winners of the Singles categories (Shi Yuqi and An Se-young) each took home $38,500, while the gold-medal-winning doubles pairs shared $40,700.