First-placed Shi Yuqi of China celebrates during the men's singles awarding ceremony at the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
NINGBO, China, April 12 (Xinhua) -- China's Shi Yuqi and South Korea's An Se-young claimed men's and women's singles titles respectively at the 2026 Badminton Asia Championships on Sunday, each securing their first crown at the continental event.
Both Shi and An had already captured world titles and won all four BWF World Tour Super 1000 tournaments, yet the Asian Championships trophy had long eluded them. Their triumphs in Ningbo finally filled the gap in their professional resumes.
Shi faced India's surprise finalist Ayush Shetty in the men's singles final. Despite Shetty's efforts, Shi's clinical play saw him cruise to a 21-8, 21-10 victory.
"Winning a different title like this has a special meaning for me," Shi said. "I hope my performance can set a good example for my teammates, and that we can achieve strong results at the Thomas Cup."
The women's singles final turned into a grueling 100-minute battle. After splitting the first two games, both players showed signs of fatigue in long rallies in the decider. Tied at 15-15, An held her nerve in the closing stages to win 21-18, avenging her recent loss to Wang Zhiyi at the All England Open.
"Since I arrived in Ningbo, people kept telling me that the Asian Championships title was the last missing piece in my collection," An said. "I kept reminding myself to stay focused on the present and on each upcoming match. Now I can finally say I've done it."
The men's and women's doubles finals respectively featured all-Korean and all-Chinese matchups. World No. 1 pair Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae defeated compatriots Kang Min-hyuk and Ki Dong-ju 21-13, 21-17 to take the men's doubles title.
In the women's doubles final, top-ranked Chinese pair Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning were forced to withdraw with injury just seven minutes into the match, handing the title to Li Yijing and Luo Xumin.
Thailand's Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran withdrew from the mixed doubles final on Saturday, giving South Korea's Kim Jae-hyeon and Jang Ha-jeong the title by walkover. ■
Shi Yuqi (L) of China celebrates winning the men's singles final against Ayush Shetty of India at the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
First-placed Shi Yuqi (2nd L) of China, second-placed Ayush Shetty (1st L) of India and third-placed Kunlavut Vitidsarn (2rd R) of Thailand and Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei pose for group photos during the men's singles awarding ceremony at the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Shi Yuqi of China celebrates winning the men's singles final against Ayush Shetty of India at the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Ayush Shetty of India hits a return during the men's singles final against Shi Yuqi of China at the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
First-placed An Se Young of South Korea kisses the trophy during the women's singles awarding ceremony at the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)
First-placed An Se Young (2nd L) of South Korea, second-placed Wang Zhiyi (1st L) of China, third-placed Sim Yu Jin (2nd R) of South Korea and Yamaguchi Akane of Japan pose for group photos during the women's singles awarding ceremony at the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)
