World Championships: Key Takeaways

France as a badminton power isn’t news anymore – their silver at the BWF Thomas Cup Finals earlier this year was definitive proof. Yet, their two-gold finish in New Delhi underlined how staggeringly far they’ve come, for, after the inaugural edition of the World Championships in 1977 when Denmark won three gold, no European nation had won more than one gold at a particular edition.

This achievement has a sub-text: Denmark has been overtaken by another European power.

France’s depth in men’s singles, which served them so well in the Thomas Cup, was again in evidence at the World Championships. Alex Lanier was one of three prospects; Christo Popov was the frontline French contender given his victory at the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2025 last December and the DAIHATSU Japan Open in July. Despite his loss in the opening round, and his brother Toma Junior’s in the Round of 16, that France did go on to win the men’s singles title showcased their depth.

Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue’s path to the title was just as impressive, for they beat the top two seeds to the title. Gicquel/Delrue’s title marked France’s first-ever gold medal at the World Championships.

This wasn’t the happiest World Championships for China as they finished with one gold, two silver and three bronze medals. What would have stung was the loss of two overwhelming favourites in finals – Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning in women’s doubles and Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping in mixed doubles. China will particularly be concerned about men’s singles; Shi Yu Qi has struggled to keep up with the form he showed last year, and new talent is yet to step up. In women’s singles, Wang Zhi Yi continues to be China’s best bet against An Se Young, but for now, the Korean has put some distance between herself and the rest.

It was lean pickings for other Asian powers like Indonesia, Thailand, India and Chinese Taipei, who had to be content with one bronze each.

Victor Lai continued to dazzle for Canada and Pan Am, winning his second men’s singles bronze. His senior compatriot Michelle Li too had a memorable campaign, making the quarterfinals with difficult wins over Unnati Hooda and Tomoka Miyazaki. Brian Yang had a tough first round against Loh Kean Yew and went down in a hard-fought contest.

For USA, young Garret Tan emerged as one of the sensations of the World Championships as he blitzed home favourite Lakshya Sen in the second round. Presley Smith/Jennie Gai challenged eventual champions Gicquel/Delrue before falling 24-22 21-16. In women’s doubles, 16th seeds Lauren Lam/Allison Lee were unlucky to run into a pair in red-hot form – Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand Pullela, who went on to claim bronze.

While a new generation has now come of age – exemplified by the likes of Lanier, Lai, Alwi Farhan and Ayush Shetty, their seniors haven’t quite relinquished their spots. A prime example and media favourite was Chou Tien Chen, still sprightly at 36, who beat Yushi Tanaka and Alwi Farhan to become the oldest men’s singles medalist.

Lee So Hee’s title win at 32 – which made her the oldest women’s doubles winner – was a reminder that players are now able to extend their elite careers much longer than they could earlier.

An Se Young arrived at the World Championships with her left foot still hurting from an injury she had suffered at the Japan Open. Yet, the Korean was to show her class, reclaiming her title without dropping a game. The key, she said, was that she had learned from past mistakes and wouldn’t repeat them. Dispiriting words for her opponents.

Every World Championships throws up inspiring stories, and this one was no different. Treesa Jolly, who had spent months recovering from an ankle injury earlier this year, was one of the stars of her home tournament as she partnered Gayatri Gopichand Pullela to the podium.

Pornpawee Chochuwong, no stranger to injury, finally achieved a career-highlight bronze that she earned after a great win over fourth seed Chen Yu Fei.