New Delhi, August 23: France and Korea emerged as the biggest winners on the final day of the BWF World Championships 2026, claiming two gold medals each at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.
France celebrated a historic mixed doubles triumph before Alex Lanier added another title in the men’s singles. Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue defeated top seeds Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping of China 22-20, 19-21, 21-15 in a closely fought final to secure France’s first World Championships gold.
Lanier then produced a dominant performance against Japan’s Kodai Naraoka, winning 21-11, 21-11 in 50 minutes. The victory made him France’s first men’s singles world champion and gave the country two titles at the same edition.
Korea also enjoyed a memorable day. World No. 1 An Se Young regained the women’s singles crown after defeating defending champion Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-14. An controlled the crucial stages of both games to complete a straight-game victory.
In women’s doubles, Baek Ha Na and Lee So Hee ended Korea’s 31-year wait for the world title by defeating Chinese top seeds Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning 21-15, 21-15. Lee, at 32 years and 70 days, also became the oldest women’s doubles world champion.
China maintained its remarkable record of winning at least one title at every World Championships since 1983. Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang defeated Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik 21-16, 21-17 to claim their first world title.
India’s Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, who secured bronze in women’s doubles, were also honoured with their medals on the closing day.
The tournament ended with strong support from the home crowd, with An Se Young among the most popular players of the day.
Final Results:
Men’s Singles: Alex Lanier (FRA) bt Kodai Naraoka (JPN) 21-11, 21-11
Women’s Singles: An Se Young (KOR) bt Akane Yamaguchi (JPN) 21-17, 21-14
Men’s Doubles: Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang (CHN) bt Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik (MAS) 21-16, 21-17
Women’s Doubles: Baek Ha Na/Lee So Hee (KOR) bt Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning (CHN) 21-15, 21-15
Mixed Doubles: Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue (FRA) bt Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping (CHN) 22-20, 19-21, 21-15
