Ningbo: China’s Shi Yuqi and South Korea’s An Se Young emerged as the standout singles champions at the Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) 2026 in Ningbo, delivering commanding performances in two highly anticipated finals.
While Shi Yuqi captured his long-awaited first Asian title in men’s singles, An Se Young made history by claiming her maiden women’s singles crown after a grueling battle that tested both skill and endurance.
Men’s Singles: Shi Yuqi Dominates to Claim First Asian Crown
Shi Yuqi finally secured his breakthrough at the Asian Championships, defeating India’s rising star Ayush Shetty in straight games 21-8, 21-10 to lift the title.
The Chinese world No. 2 controlled the match from start to finish, using his superior movement, precision, and tactical awareness to neutralize Shetty’s attacking game.
Despite standing at 195 cm and possessing powerful smashes, the young Indian struggled to match Shi’s speed and court coverage. The final quickly turned into a one-sided contest, with Shi dictating rallies and forcing errors from his opponent.
Although Shetty fell short in the final, his run in Ningbo was one of the biggest stories of the tournament. At just 20 years old, he became the first Indian men’s singles player in more than six decades to reach the Asian Championships final, marking a significant breakthrough for Indian badminton.
Shi Yuqi’s title also marked China’s second championship at this year’s tournament, underlining the nation’s continued strength in elite badminton.
With this victory, Shi is expected to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking, further solidifying his status as one of the top players in men’s singles badminton.
Road to the Final
In the semifinals, Shi Yuqi delivered a dominant performance to defeat Chinese Taipei’s veteran Chou Tien Chen 21-9, 21-13, extending his winning streak in their head-to-head encounters.
On the other side of the draw, Ayush Shetty stunned defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn in a dramatic three-game comeback, winning 10-21, 21-19, 21-17 to book his place in the final.
Women’s Singles: An Se Young Breaks Through
In women’s singles, South Korea’s world No. 1 An Se Young finally captured her first Asian Championships title after defeating China’s Wang Zhiyi in a thrilling three-game final.
The match lived up to expectations as a clash between two of the sport’s most consistent performers, with both players pushing each other to the limit in a contest that lasted nearly 100 minutes.
An Se Young took the opening game 21-12 with her trademark precision and defensive control, but Wang responded strongly in the second game to win 21-17 and force a decider.
In the final game, An showed remarkable composure under pressure, holding her nerve in crucial rallies to secure a 21-18 victory and the championship.
The win not only marked her first Asian title but also served as redemption after her recent loss in the All England final.
It was also a historic moment for South Korean badminton, as An became the first Korean women’s singles champion at the Asian Championships since Sung Ji Hyun in 2014.
Other Finals: Korea and China Dominate Doubles
In men’s doubles, South Korea continued its dominance with Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae defeating their compatriots Kang Min Hyuk and Ki Dong Ju 21-13, 21-17 in the final.
The victory capped off an impressive run and reinforced Korea’s growing strength in men’s doubles badminton.
In mixed doubles, Korea’s Kim Jae Hyeon and Jang Ha Jeong claimed the title after their Thai opponents withdrew due to injury, handing them a historic victory.
Meanwhile, China secured the women’s doubles crown as Li Yijing and Luo Xumin were awarded the title after their teammates Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning retired early in the final while trailing.
A Tournament Defined by Rising Stars and Dominant Forces
The 2026 Badminton Asia Championships showcased both emerging talent and established dominance.
Ayush Shetty’s breakthrough run signaled the arrival of a new contender in men’s singles, while Shi Yuqi’s victory reaffirmed China’s position at the top.
An Se Young’s triumph highlighted her continued rise as the leading force in women’s badminton, while Korea’s success across doubles events demonstrated their growing influence in the sport.
As the badminton season progresses, the results in Ningbo are likely to shape the competitive landscape heading into the next major tournaments.
For fans of badminton, the tournament delivered exactly what was expected — high-level competition, dramatic matches, and the emergence of new storylines that will continue to unfold throughout the year.
