Markham, Canada: Japan completed a remarkable clean sweep at the 2026 Canada Open, winning all five badminton titles across men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.
The final day was headlined by an all-Japanese men’s singles showdown, where third seed Yudai Okimoto defeated compatriot Riki Takei 21-13, 21-3 to claim the men’s singles crown in dominant fashion.
Okimoto entered the final after a strong semifinal comeback against Canada’s top seed Victor Lai. The Japanese player lost the opening game but recovered to beat Lai 15-21, 21-16, 21-11, ending the home favorite’s title hopes.
Takei had also come through a tough semifinal, defeating Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia 21-13, 18-21, 21-18. Lee pushed the match to three games, but Takei held his nerve in the deciding game to set up the final against Okimoto.
In the final, however, Okimoto was in complete control. After taking the first game 21-13, he raised the tempo further in the second and allowed Takei only three points, sealing the title with one of the most one-sided final-game performances of the tournament.
Men’s Singles Final
- Yudai Okimoto (3), Japan, defeated Riki Takei, Japan, 21-13, 21-3
Men’s Singles Semifinal Results
- Yudai Okimoto (3), Japan, defeated Victor Lai (1), Canada, 15-21, 21-16, 21-11
- Riki Takei, Japan, defeated Lee Zii Jia, Malaysia, 21-13, 18-21, 21-18
Riko Gunji Wins Women’s Singles Title
Japan also won the women’s singles title through third seed Riko Gunji, who defeated Denmark’s second seed Line Christophersen in a three-game final.
Gunji won 21-15, 15-21, 21-6, finishing the match strongly after Christophersen had forced a deciding game.
In the semifinals, Gunji had already produced a major win by beating Canada’s top seed Michelle Li 21-13, 21-17. Christophersen reached the final after United States fourth seed Beiwen Zhang retired while trailing 15-21, 3-8.
Women’s Singles Final
- Riko Gunji (3), Japan, defeated Line Christophersen (2), Denmark, 21-15, 15-21, 21-6
Women’s Singles Semifinal Results
- Riko Gunji (3), Japan, defeated Michelle Li (1), Canada, 21-13, 21-17
- Line Christophersen (2), Denmark, defeated Beiwen Zhang (4), United States, 21-15, 8-3 retired
Okamura-Yamashita Capture Men’s Doubles Crown
In men’s doubles, Japan’s Hiroki Okamura and Kyohei Yamashita came from behind to beat Denmark’s Christian Faust Kjaer and Rasmus Kjaer in the final.
The Japanese pair dropped the opening game but recovered to win 13-21, 21-10, 21-17, giving Japan another title in Markham.
Okamura and Yamashita had reached the final by beating fellow Japanese pair Takuto Goto and Tsubasa Yoshida 21-16, 19-21, 21-19. The Danish pair advanced after defeating France’s Julien Maio and William Villeger 21-14, 10-21, 21-13.
Men’s Doubles Final
- Hiroki Okamura / Kyohei Yamashita, Japan, defeated Christian Faust Kjaer / Rasmus Kjaer, Denmark, 13-21, 21-10, 21-17
Men’s Doubles Semifinal Results
- Christian Faust Kjaer / Rasmus Kjaer, Denmark, defeated Julien Maio / William Villeger, France, 21-14, 10-21, 21-13
- Hiroki Okamura / Kyohei Yamashita, Japan, defeated Takuto Goto / Tsubasa Yoshida, Japan, 21-16, 19-21, 21-19
Suzuki-Yamakita Win All-Japanese Women’s Doubles Final
Japan was already guaranteed the women’s doubles title after two Japanese pairs reached the final.
Fourth seeds Hinata Suzuki and Nao Yamakita defeated third seeds Kaho Osawa and Mai Tanabe 21-15, 21-16 to complete their title run.
Suzuki and Yamakita had earlier beaten United States sixth seeds Francesca Corbett and Jennie Gai 21-12, 21-12 in the semifinals. Osawa and Tanabe advanced with a 21-12, 21-16 win over United States second seeds Lauren Lam and Allison Quynh Lee.
Women’s Doubles Final
- Hinata Suzuki / Nao Yamakita (4), Japan, defeated Kaho Osawa / Mai Tanabe (3), Japan, 21-15, 21-16
Women’s Doubles Semifinal Results
- Hinata Suzuki / Nao Yamakita (4), Japan, defeated Francesca Corbett / Jennie Gai (6), United States, 21-12, 21-12
- Kaho Osawa / Mai Tanabe (3), Japan, defeated Lauren Lam / Allison Quynh Lee (2), United States, 21-12, 21-16
Koga-Saito Complete Japan’s Sweep in Mixed Doubles
The final piece of Japan’s clean sweep came in mixed doubles, where fourth seeds Akira Koga and Natsu Saito defeated Chinese Taipei’s Liu Kuang Heng and Hsu Yin-Hui in three games.
Koga and Saito won 21-17, 17-21, 21-17 to secure the mixed doubles title and complete a perfect tournament finish for Japan across all five events.
The Japanese pair had reached the final after a dramatic semifinal win over Scotland’s fifth seeds Alexander Dunn and Julie MacPherson, taking the match 21-16, 12-21, 23-21.
Liu and Hsu had upset United States top seeds Presley Smith and Jennie Gai 21-9, 23-21 in the other semifinal.
Mixed Doubles Final
- Akira Koga / Natsu Saito (4), Japan, defeated Liu Kuang Heng / Hsu Yin-Hui, Chinese Taipei, 21-17, 17-21, 21-17
Mixed Doubles Semifinal Results
- Liu Kuang Heng / Hsu Yin-Hui, Chinese Taipei, defeated Presley Smith / Jennie Gai (1), United States, 21-9, 23-21
- Akira Koga / Natsu Saito (4), Japan, defeated Alexander Dunn / Julie MacPherson (5), Scotland, 21-16, 12-21, 23-21
Japan Dominates Canada Open Badminton Finals
The 2026 Canada Open produced a historic tournament for Japan, with Japanese players and pairs winning every title on offer.
Yudai Okimoto led the charge with a dominant men’s singles final win over Riki Takei, while Riko Gunji added the women’s singles crown. Japan also swept all three doubles events through Okamura-Yamashita, Suzuki-Yamakita, and Koga-Saito.
For badminton fans, the Canada Open final day became one of the biggest badminton news stories of the week, not only because of the individual champions, but because one nation controlled the entire finals lineup from start to finish.
With Japan taking all five titles in Markham, the 2026 Canada Open will be remembered as a statement tournament for Japanese badminton depth across singles and doubles.
