South Korea Reclaims Glory: A Historic Third Uber Cup Title in Horsens

HORSENS, Denmark – In a masterclass of grit, tactical brilliance, and sheer determination, South Korea ascended to the pinnacle of women’s team badminton once again. On Sunday, May 3, 2026, the South Korean squad defeated perennial powerhouses China 3-1 in a thrilling Uber Cup final at the Forum Horsens. This victory marks Korea’s third Uber Cup title in history, adding to their previous triumphs in 2010 and 2022.

The atmosphere inside the Forum Horsens was electric as the two most dominant forces in the sport faced off. While China entered the final as favorites, boasting a deep roster and a history of 15 titles, the South Koreans arrived with a “giant-killer” reputation and a world number one leading the charge.

An Se-young Sets the Tone

The final opened with a highly anticipated clash between the world’s top-ranked player, An Se-young, and China’s Wang Zhiyi. From the first serve, An demonstrated why she is considered the gold standard of modern women’s singles. Her defensive coverage was impenetrable, forcing Wang into long, grueling rallies that eventually led to unforced errors.

An took the first game comfortably 21-10 and never looked back. Despite a spirited attempt by Wang to pick up the pace in the second set, An’s precision was too much to handle. Closing the match 21-13, An secured the first point for Korea and sent a clear message: the underdogs were here to win.

China Strikes Back

China responded immediately in the first doubles match. The pair of Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning faced Korea’s Jeong Na-eun and Lee So-hee. The Chinese duo played with an aggressive, high-tempo style that kept the Koreans on the back foot. Their chemistry at the net and powerful smashes allowed them to dominate the court, winning 21-15, 21-12. With the tie leveled at 1-1, the tension in the arena reached a fever pitch.

The Turning Point: Kim Ga-eun’s Masterpiece

The third match proved to be the most pivotal moment of the final. Korea’s Kim Ga-eun stepped onto the court against the formidable Chen Yufei. History was not on Kim’s side; she had lost eight of her last nine encounters against Chen. However, Kim played with a level of fearlessness that caught the Chinese star off guard.

Kim’s ability to mix aggressive cross-court smashes with delicate drops allowed her to snatch the first game 21-19. In the second game, Chen Yufei struggled to find her rhythm as Kim remained relentless. Kim sealed the straight-sets victory 21-15, putting Korea just one point away from the trophy. This upset was the catalyst that shifted the momentum irrevocably in Korea’s favor.

The Clincher: Baek and Kim’s Epic Comeback

With the score at 2-1, the responsibility fell on the second doubles pair, Baek Ha-na and Kim Hye-jeong, to seal the championship. They faced Jia Yifan and Zhang Shuxian. The match started poorly for the Koreans, as they dropped the first game 16-21 under a barrage of Chinese attacks.

However, the second game saw a tactical shift. Baek and Kim began to dominate the mid-court, slowing down the pace and drawing Jia and Zhang into errors. They stormed through the second game 21-10. By the third set, the Chinese pair appeared physically and mentally fatigued. The Korean duo didn’t let up, winning the decider 21-13 and triggering a wild celebration on the Korean bench.

Final Results Table

A Legacy Solidified

The 2026 victory is a testament to the growth of the South Korean program. While An Se-young remains their brightest star, the performances of Kim Ga-eun and the doubles units showed a depth that few teams can match. For China, the loss marks a rare moment of vulnerability, having been dethroned by the same nation that ended their streak in 2022.

As the Korean flag was raised in Horsens, the message was clear: the era of South Korean dominance in women’s badminton has firmly arrived.