Yeosu, South Korea, November 8, 2026: Canada’s Victor Lai made badminton history on Sunday, becoming the first Canadian men’s singles player to win the Korea Open after defeating Hong Kong’s Jason Gunawan 21-11, 21-14 in the final. Meanwhile, South Korea’s world No. 1 men’s doubles pair Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae survived a three-game battle against Japan’s Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi to successfully defend their title.
For the 22-year-old Lai, the victory marked another breakthrough in an extraordinary 2026 season. The world No. 6 and second seed added his first Korea Open Super 500 championship to the Indonesia Open Super 1000 title he captured earlier this year.
The Canadian also gained revenge for his defeat to Gunawan in the qualifying rounds of the 2025 Hong Kong Open, leveling their career head-to-head record at one victory apiece.
Victor Lai Defeats Jason Gunawan to Make Korea Open History
Playing in his first Korea Open final, Lai faced an opponent who had also reached the championship match for the first time.
Gunawan, ranked world No. 22, had already made history by becoming the first Hong Kong men’s singles player to reach a Korea Open final. However, the 22-year-old could not prevent Lai from taking another significant step forward in his career.
Lai established control in the opening game, winning 21-11 before completing the championship with a 21-14 victory in the second.
The straight-game result gave Canada its first Korea Open men’s singles crown and continued Lai’s emergence as one of the leading international contenders in men’s badminton.
His achievement is particularly notable given his success at the World Championships. Lai has already earned two men’s singles bronze medals, including a second consecutive podium finish at the 2026 World Championships in New Delhi.
Earlier this season, he also became the first Canadian to win a BWF World Tour Super 1000 title at the Indonesia Open.
From Junior Training Partners to Korea Open Finalists
Beyond the result, the final carried a personal connection between Lai and Gunawan.
Both players were born in 2004 and have known each other since their junior badminton days. They previously trained together in Hong Kong and have maintained a friendship despite competing internationally for different countries.
Before the final, Gunawan joked that although they were friends away from competition, that friendship would have to be set aside once they stepped onto the court.
He also expressed hope that both players could produce their best badminton for the spectators in South Korea.
While Lai ultimately emerged as champion, the tournament represented an important milestone for both players: a historic title for Canada and a first Korea Open men’s singles final appearance for Hong Kong.
Watch: Victor Lai vs. Jason Gunawan — 2026 Korea Open Final Highlights
Video source: BWF
Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae End Seven-Month Title Drought
South Korea’s Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae gave the home crowd another reason to celebrate, defeating Japan’s Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi 21-12, 20-22, 21-19 in the men’s doubles final.
The world No. 1 Korean pair appeared on course for a straight-game victory after taking the opening game 21-12. However, former world champions Hoki and Kobayashi fought back in the second, edging a close finish 22-20 to force a deciding game.
The third game proved equally competitive. Kim and Seo eventually secured the championship 21-19, completing a hard-earned victory in the tournament’s final match.
The triumph ended a seven-month wait for another title, with their previous championship coming at the Asian Badminton Championships in April.
Kim and Seo had also won the Malaysia Open and All England Open earlier in 2026, making the Korea Open their fourth title of the season.
First Successful Korea Open Men’s Doubles Title Defense in a Decade
By retaining their championship, Kim and Seo became the first men’s doubles pair in approximately a decade to successfully defend the Korea Open title.
The previous pair to achieve the feat were South Korea’s Lee Yong Dae and Yoo Yeon Seong, who won consecutive championships in 2015 and 2016.
For Kim and Seo, the result was significant not only because it ended their title drought, but also because it came against experienced Japanese opponents who had pushed them to the final stages of a deciding game.
The Korean pair’s success ensured South Korea finished the tournament with two titles, alongside An Se Young’s women’s singles victory over Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi.
Watch: Kim Won Ho / Seo Seung Jae vs. Takuro Hoki / Yugo Kobayashi — Korea Open Final Highlights
Video source: BWF
Canada and South Korea Celebrate Major Korea Open Victories
The 2026 Korea Open produced two contrasting championship stories in men’s badminton.
For Victor Lai, the tournament marked another historic first in a season that has already elevated Canadian badminton onto the international stage.
For Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae, the victory represented a return to the winner’s podium after seven months and confirmation that the defending champions could still deliver under pressure.
With Lai continuing to establish himself among the world’s leading singles players and Kim and Seo returning to winning form, both results add further interest to the closing stages of the 2026 international badminton season.
Complete Tournament Results
2026 Korea Open — Men’s Singles Final
Victor Lai (Canada) defeated Jason Gunawan (Hong Kong), 21-11, 21-14.
2026 Korea Open — Women’s Singles Final
An Se Young (South Korea) defeated Akane Yamaguchi (Japan), 21-12, 15-21, 21-16.
2026 Korea Open — Men’s Doubles Final
Kim Won Ho / Seo Seung Jae (South Korea) defeated Takuro Hoki / Yugo Kobayashi (Japan), 21-12, 20-22, 21-19.
2026 Korea Open — Women’s Doubles Final
Rui Hirokami / Sayaka Hobara (Japan) defeated Kim Yu Jung / Lee Yu Lim (South Korea), 21-18, 21-18.
2026 Korea Open — Mixed Doubles Final
Jiang Zhenbang / Wei Yaxin (China) defeated Gao Jiaxuan / Wu Mengying (China), 21-16, 21-13.
