South Korea Claims Historic Victory at Badminton Asia Team Championships
Qingdao, China – – The South Korean women’s national badminton team secured a landmark victory at the 2026 Badminton Asia Team Championships on Sunday, defeating China 3-0 in the final at the Qingdao Conson Gymnasium. This marks the first-ever championship win for Korea in this prestigious event.
Led by world No. 1 An Se-young, the Korean team demonstrated a commitment to the tournament previously unseen, fielding its strongest lineup after often sending a secondary squad in past competitions due to scheduling concerns. This strategic shift proved decisive as Korea navigated a challenging path to the final, topping their group with dominant wins over Singapore (5-0) and Chinese Taipei (4-1). They continued their momentum with a 3-0 quarterfinal victory against Malaysia and a hard-fought 3-1 semifinal win over Indonesia.
The final against the host nation, China, saw Korea maintain its winning form. An Se-young set the tone with a commanding performance in the opening singles match, defeating Han Qian Xi 21-7, 21-14 in just 39 minutes. Her decisive victory established an early lead for the Korean team and signaled their intent to claim the title.
The doubles pairing of Baek Ha-na and Kim Hye-jeong further solidified Korea’s advantage, securing a crucial point with a 24-22, 21-8 win over Jia Yi-fan and Zhang Shu-xian. This victory showcased the depth and versatility of the Korean team, demonstrating their ability to excel in both singles and doubles disciplines.
With a 2-0 lead, Korea needed just one more point to clinch the championship. Kim Ga-eun delivered in the third match, overcoming a first-game setback to rally past Xu Wen-jing 19-21, 21-10, 21-8. Her resilience and determination sealed the 3-0 victory for Korea, sparking celebrations amongst the team and supporters.
This triumph is particularly significant as the Badminton Asia Team Championships also serve as a qualifying event for the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup Finals – the world men’s and women’s team championships. By reaching the semifinals, Korea had already secured a spot at the Uber Cup Finals, scheduled to take place in Horsens, Denmark, from to . Now, they head to Denmark as champions, carrying a newfound confidence and momentum.
While the women’s team celebrated a historic victory, the Korean men’s team faced a narrow defeat in the semifinals, falling 2-3 to China. Despite the loss, they secured a berth at the Thomas Cup Finals by reaching the last four, ensuring both Korean teams will be represented at the prestigious world championships.
The Korean team’s success at the Badminton Asia Team Championships underscores the growing strength of badminton in the country. An Se-young’s consistent performance and leadership have been instrumental in this resurgence, and the team’s commitment to fielding its strongest lineup demonstrates a renewed focus on international success. The victory in Qingdao is not just a championship win; it’s a statement of intent and a sign of things to come for Korean badminton.
The Chinese team, while hosting the event, appeared to be missing some of their key singles and doubles players during the final match against Korea. The reasons for these absences were not immediately clear, but it undoubtedly impacted their ability to challenge Korea’s dominance. Despite the setback, China remains a formidable force in badminton, and their absence of top players raises questions about their strategy and preparation for future tournaments.
Looking ahead, the Uber Cup Finals in Denmark will be a crucial test for the Korean women’s team. They will face stiff competition from other top badminton nations, including Japan, Indonesia, and Denmark. However, with An Se-young leading the charge and a newfound confidence stemming from their Asian Team Championships victory, Korea is well-positioned to contend for the title.
