Aichi-Nagoya, Japan: China will have the opportunity to capture two badminton team gold medals at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, with Shi Yuqi leading the men into a difficult final against Indonesia while the Chinese women prepare to face host Japan.
The two finals have very different dynamics. China appears to have greater depth in the women’s team contest, but the men’s showdown with Indonesia could be decided by only one or two critical matches.
China reached the men’s final by defeating India 3-1 in the semifinals, while Indonesia booked its place with an identical 3-1 victory over Thailand.
China Beat India 3-1 to Reach Men’s Team Final
Shi Yuqi gave China the ideal start against India by defeating Lakshya Sen in straight games.
Shi took the opening singles match 21-16, 21-18 in 57 minutes, delivering an important point after a period of inconsistent individual results.
- Shi Yuqi (China) beat Lakshya Sen (India) 21-16, 21-18 — 57 minutes
Watch Shi Yuqi vs Lakshya Sen Asian Games Semifinal Highlights
India responded immediately through Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, who produced an impressive performance against China’s world-class pairing of Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang.
The Indians dominated the opening game and survived a much tighter second to win 21-11, 22-20 in 46 minutes, leveling the tie at 1-1.
- Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty (India) beat Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang (China) 21-11, 22-20 — 46 minutes
Li Shifeng restored China’s advantage at second singles, defeating Ayush Shetty 21-19, 21-13 in 54 minutes.
- Li Shifeng (China) beat Ayush Shetty (India) 21-19, 21-13 — 54 minutes
China then secured the semifinal through He Ji Ting and Liu Yi, although they were forced to work for the decisive point.
After winning the first game, the Chinese pair dropped the second before pulling away in the decider to defeat H. Amsakarunan and M. Arjun 21-16, 17-21, 21-9 in one hour and 10 minutes.
- He Ji Ting/Liu Yi (China) beat H. Amsakarunan/M. Arjun (India) 21-16, 17-21, 21-9 — 1 hour 10 minutes
Final score: China 3-1 India.
Indonesia Defeat Thailand 3-1 in Semifinal
Indonesia’s path to the final also included an early setback.
Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn defeated Jonatan Christie 21-17, 21-14 in 53 minutes in the opening singles match, putting Indonesia under immediate pressure.
- Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Thailand) beat Jonatan Christie (Indonesia) 21-17, 21-14 — 53 minutes
Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri quickly brought Indonesia level, defeating P. Sukphun and P. TeeraratSakul 21-13, 21-19 in 41 minutes.
- Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri (Indonesia) beat P. Sukphun/P. TeeraratSakul (Thailand) 21-13, 21-19 — 41 minutes
Alwi Farhan then put Indonesia ahead by beating P. Arree 21-15, 21-13 in 40 minutes.
- Alwi Farhan (Indonesia) beat P. Arree (Thailand) 21-15, 21-13 — 40 minutes
Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin completed the 3-1 victory with a 21-15, 21-13 win over C. Charoenkitamorn and W. Thongsa-nga in 39 minutes.
- Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin (Indonesia) beat C. Charoenkitamorn/W. Thongsa-nga (Thailand) 21-15, 21-13 — 39 minutes
Final score: Indonesia 3-1 Thailand.
Shi Yuqi Could Face Jonatan Christie in Crucial Opening Match
The men’s final shapes up as a particularly intriguing battle because neither semifinal suggested that China or Indonesia has guaranteed points across the lineup.
If both teams retain their leading singles players, Shi Yuqi could face Jonatan Christie in the opening match.
That would give Shi an opportunity to build on his victory over Lakshya Sen, while Jonatan will be looking to respond after his straight-games semifinal defeat to Kunlavut.
An opening victory could have a major impact on the momentum of the entire tie.
Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang Face Important Doubles Test
China will also need a response from Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang after their semifinal defeat to Rankireddy and Shetty.
The Chinese pair remains one of the strongest men’s doubles combinations in world badminton, but Indonesia has traditionally been extremely competitive in the discipline.
Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri were convincing against Thailand, while Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin also completed their semifinal in straight games.
That makes both doubles matches potential turning points in the gold-medal tie.
China Women Face Japan With Greater Lineup Depth
The women’s final against Japan presents a different challenge.
Japan advanced by defeating defending champion South Korea 3-1, with Yuki Fukushima-Mayu Matsumoto, Tomoka Miyazaki and Rin Iwanaga-Kie Nakanishi producing the three winning points.
Akane Yamaguchi lost the opening singles match to world No. 1 An Se Young, but Japan’s strength across the rest of the lineup proved enough to send the host nation into the final.
China appears to have more options across all five positions, which gives the team greater room to recover if an early match goes against it.
Wang Zhi Yi Could Open Against Akane Yamaguchi
One of the key matches could feature Wang Zhi Yi against Akane Yamaguchi at first singles.
Yamaguchi remains one of the most experienced players in women’s badminton and is especially dangerous in long rallies, while competing in Nagoya also gives Japan strong home support.
China, however, has substantial strength behind Wang.
Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning provide an elite first doubles pairing, Chen Yu Fei brings major championship experience at second singles, and Jia Yi Fan-Zhang Shu Xian offer another strong doubles option.
Han Yue could also become important if the final reaches the third singles match.
Japan’s Doubles Strength Cannot Be Overlooked
Japan demonstrated against South Korea that its doubles combinations are capable of deciding a team tie.
Fukushima and Matsumoto defeated Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hee 21-15, 21-19, while Iwanaga and Nakanishi beat Jeong Na Eun-Kim Hye Jeong 22-20, 21-16.
China therefore cannot afford to treat either doubles point as routine, particularly with the Japanese team competing in front of its home crowd.
China Chasing Two Asian Games Badminton Team Gold Medals
China enters September 24 with two opportunities to stand on top of the podium.
The women’s team has greater depth on paper but must overcome a balanced and confident Japanese squad. The men face an Indonesian team with dangerous players at every position and almost no obvious weak point.
The semifinal results also provided warnings for both men’s finalists. China’s leading doubles pair was beaten by India, while Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie lost the opening singles match against Thailand.
That uncertainty is what makes the men’s team final particularly compelling.
For Shi Yuqi and China, the objective is now straightforward: carry the momentum from the semifinal into one final battle for Asian Games gold.
