https://www.scmp.com/rss/325511/feed The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is the international governing body for the sport of badminton recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Founded in 1934 as the International Badminton Federation (IBF) with nine member nations (Canada, Denmark, England, France, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales), the BWF has since expanded to 176 member nations around the world. Its head office was located in Cheltenham, UK since its founding, but on 1 October 2005, was... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com SCMP Sport,Agence France-Presse SCMP Sport,Agence France-Presse China’s top anti-corruption body said on Wednesday it was investigating the head of the country’s badminton association for “serious violations of discipline and law”. Olympic gold medallist Zhang Jun, chairman of the Chinese Badminton Association (CBA) and vice-president of the Nanjing Sport Institute, has been placed “under disciplinary review”, it said on its website. Jun is also being investigated by the Nantong Municipal Supervisory Commission in eastern Jiangsu province, the statement... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3351897/chinas-anti-corruption-body-probes-badminton-association-chief-zhang-jun?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3351897/chinas-anti-corruption-body-probes-badminton-association-chief-zhang-jun?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:48:10 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li Badminton bosses say they have changed the sport’s scoring system with an eye on attracting the younger generation with more exciting matches, and older players believe it could prolong their careers. From the start of next year, the sport will revert to a variation of the 15-point system that was first used in the 19th century, ending two decades of the first to 21 winning a game. Not everyone, however, is convinced that going back to the future is the best thing for the sport. Retired... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3351584/players-split-over-badminton-rule-change-some-believe-it-could-prolong-their-careers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3351584/players-split-over-badminton-rule-change-some-believe-it-could-prolong-their-careers?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 02:00:12 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang The president of the Chinese Badminton Association (CBA) has reportedly disappeared after disciplinary authorities started an investigation into his conduct at the association. Zhang Jun, a two-time Olympic mixed doubles champion, has not been heard from for more than ten days and missed the start of the Chinese men’s and women’s national teams competing at the BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals in Denmark on Friday. According to a recent story by a Chinese newspaper, several insiders revealed that... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3351414/chinas-badminton-chief-fails-attend-finals-denmark-whereabouts-remain-mystery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3351414/chinas-badminton-chief-fails-attend-finals-denmark-whereabouts-remain-mystery?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 09:30:07 +0000 Reuters,Agence France-Presse Reuters,Agence France-Presse Denmark’s double Olympic badminton champion Viktor Axelsen announced his retirement at 32 on Wednesday, saying back problems meant he could no longer “compete and train at the highest level”. Axelsen, who won gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021 and again in Paris in 2024, had back surgery in April last year and said he had not managed to overcome his physical issues. “Accepting this situation has been incredibly difficult,” he said in a statement. “But I have now reached a point where my body won’t... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3350144/double-olympic-badminton-champion-viktor-axelsen-retires-32-over-back-issues?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3350144/double-olympic-badminton-champion-viktor-axelsen-retires-32-over-back-issues?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:15:42 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hong Kong badminton mixed doubles duo Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet have admitted they are considering prolonging their careers for a couple of years to try to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028. On Tuesday, the reigning champions were knocked out in the first round of the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, losing 19-21, 21-19, 21-7 to China’s Chen Xing and Zhang Chi after winning the opening set. Tse revealed before the tournament that Tang had been encouraging her to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3349395/hong-kong-badminton-star-duo-tang-chun-man-and-tse-ying-suet-may-take-shot-la-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3349395/hong-kong-badminton-star-duo-tang-chun-man-and-tse-ying-suet-may-take-shot-la-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 14:00:08 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang China’s Wang Zhiyi said her resilience had been key to beating world No 1 An Se-young to secure her first All England Open Badminton Championships title, ending a 10-match losing streak against her South Korean rival. Wang won 21-15, 21-19 on Sunday to claim her 12th BWF World Tour singles title. The victory marks the first time in seven years a Chinese player has won the women’s singles crown in Birmingham. “I am super excited. I feel like a dream comes true,” Wang said. “Honestly, I still... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345972/chinas-wang-says-resilience-key-stunning-win-over-world-no-1-all-england-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345972/chinas-wang-says-resilience-key-stunning-win-over-world-no-1-all-england-final?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Mar 2026 11:00:09 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Hong Kong mixed doubles pair Jordan Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet did something no other city badminton team had managed before this weekend – they won bronze at the All England Open. Tang and Tse, currently ranked seventh in the world, faced Chinese Taipei’s Ye Hong-wei and Nicole Gonzales Chan, who are ranked 15th, in Saturday’s semi-finals in Birmingham. After a tough three-game match, the Hong Kong team lost 21-16, 15-21, 13-21, which left them third. The All England Open, as part of the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3345890/all-england-open-hong-kong-badminton-pair-jordan-tang-tse-ying-suet-win-historic-bronze?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3345890/all-england-open-hong-kong-badminton-pair-jordan-tang-tse-ying-suet-win-historic-bronze?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Mar 2026 12:30:10 +0000 Reuters Reuters French badminton is targeting future Olympic success with Christo Popov’s World Tour Finals victory and a ⁠landmark European team crown marking what officials believe could be a potential turning point for the ⁠sport in the country. Popov won the biggest title of his career in December while the French men’s team stunned traditional powerhouses Denmark at last week’s continental championships – breakthroughs the French Badminton Federation’s technical director Cyrille Gombrowicz said were... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3344771/france-eyes-badminton-success-olympics-long-rebuild-starts-pay-titles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3344771/france-eyes-badminton-success-olympics-long-rebuild-starts-pay-titles?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:30:08 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport The Hong Kong Badminton Open will be upgraded and become a second-tier event under the Badminton World Federation (BWF) for four years from 2027. The sport’s world governing body announced on Monday the host cities for the various BWF World Tour events from 2027 to 2030, and the city’s event has been awarded the BWF750 status, an upgrade from the BWF500 event. Shenzhen, Paris, New Delhi and Tokyo will be the other four BWF750 events, while the top tier BWF1000 events go to Chengdu, Odense,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3342985/bwf-announces-hong-kong-badminton-open-be-upgraded-second-tier-event-2027?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3342985/bwf-announces-hong-kong-badminton-open-be-upgraded-second-tier-event-2027?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Feb 2026 02:30:29 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Taiwan’s Lin Chun-yi won the India Open badminton men’s singles title on Sunday, after playing conditions – which included bird droppings on court and a monkey in the stands – drew criticism from players. Lin, 26, beat third seed Jonatan Christie of Indonesia 21-10, 21-18 in 38 minutes to clinch the men’s crown at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. In the women’s singles final, world No 1 An Se-young of South Korea beat mainland China’s world No 2 Wang Zhiyi 21-13, 21-11 to extend... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3340339/taiwans-lin-chun-yi-wins-india-open-badminton-event-marred-dirty-conditions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3340339/taiwans-lin-chun-yi-wins-india-open-badminton-event-marred-dirty-conditions?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Jan 2026 15:00:13 +0000 SCMP Sport,Kyodo SCMP Sport,Kyodo A proposal by the World Badminton Federation could see the nature of the sport shift dramatically, with each best-of-three game to be won by 15 points rather than the current 21. The potential change, according to some officials, is aimed at making matches faster while alleviating some physical burden on the players. But there are concerns over the possible transformation of the sport, however, with some believing it will tip the balance in favour of those players who attack from the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3338518/badminton-bosses-eye-dramatic-change-traditional-scoring-system-make-games-quicker?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3338518/badminton-bosses-eye-dramatic-change-traditional-scoring-system-make-games-quicker?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Jan 2026 09:30:09 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li South Korea’s An Se-young and France’s Christo Popov triumphed at badminton’s year-end BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou on Sunday as hosts China suffered dual disappointment. In the women’s final, An defeated China’s defending champion Wang Zhiyi to claim her 11th singles title of the year, equalling the record of Kento Momota of Japan. Olympic champion An had to overcome cramp in the final game of a marathon match lasting 96 minutes, before wrapping up a 21-13, 18-21, 21-10 victory. “It seems... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3337242/bwf-world-tour-finals-beats-wang-epic-shi-injury-photo-posted-after-loss?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3337242/bwf-world-tour-finals-beats-wang-epic-shi-injury-photo-posted-after-loss?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Dec 2025 13:16:20 +0000 Reuters Reuters China’s men’s world champion Shi Yuqi will take on Christo Popov in the title match ‌at badminton’s BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou on Sunday, while compatriot Wang Zhiyi meets An Se-young in the women’s showpiece. Popov, making his tournament debut as a singles player, will be the first French player to contest the final after he overwhelmed Japan’s Kodai Naraoka with his speed and ⁠power to win 21-19, 21-8 in the semi-finals on Saturday. Shi, who is looking to equal Viktor Axelsen with a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3337200/bwf-world-tour-finals-chinas-shi-wang-face-french-south-korean-foes-year-end-finale?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3337200/bwf-world-tour-finals-chinas-shi-wang-face-french-south-korean-foes-year-end-finale?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:14 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Taiwan’s badminton star and Olympic silver medallist Tai Tzu-ying has announced her retirement, saying her era “has come to an end” but that she hopes her spirit stays with fans. “A beautiful chapter has come to an end. Thank you, badminton, for everything you have given me,” Tai, 31, said in a Facebook post late on Friday. Born in the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung, Tai has been struggling with injuries since last year and has been unable to return to the international circuit. The... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3332037/taiwan-badminton-star-former-world-no-1-tai-tzu-ying-calls-time-her-career?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3332037/taiwan-badminton-star-former-world-no-1-tai-tzu-ying-calls-time-her-career?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 08 Nov 2025 09:00:14 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Wang Zhiyi and an underwhelmed Li Shifeng were crowned Li-Ning Hong Kong Open singles champions as dominant mainland China completed a clean sweep of honours on Sunday. In front of an uproarious Coliseum audience, Wang got the ball rolling with a 21-14, 24-22 victory over compatriot Han Yue. Wang, who partially atoned for her shock last-16 exit at the recent World Championships in Paris, said winning in the city for the first time was “so exciting”. On his competition debut, Li overcame India’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3325489/wang-zhiyis-emotional-release-after-beating-fellow-chinese-han-yue-hong-open-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3325489/wang-zhiyis-emotional-release-after-beating-fellow-chinese-han-yue-hong-open-title?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Sep 2025 09:02:55 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Crowd favourite Chou Tien-chen said he had no excuses for his agonising Saturday night Li-Ning Hong Kong Open semi-final defeat by unseeded Lakshya Sen. Taiwan’s Chou, the No 3 seed, who has returned to the elite end of his sport following a cancer diagnosis two years ago, lost 23-21, 22-20 in a gripping 56-minute clash with tenacious Indian Sen. Li Shifeng of China, the No 2 seed, overcame France’s Christo Popov 21-18, 21-19 in the other last-four clash. Chou was furious that Sen got away with... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3325448/crowd-favourite-and-cancer-survivor-chou-tien-chen-suffers-agonising-hong-kong-open-loss?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3325448/crowd-favourite-and-cancer-survivor-chou-tien-chen-suffers-agonising-hong-kong-open-loss?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Sep 2025 13:37:41 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Michelle Li might have progressed to the semi-finals of the Li-Ning Hong Kong Open, but she also had other things on her mind this week, such as sampling local delicacies and visiting “my 50 cousins”. Canada’s top badminton player, who beat American Zhang Beiwen 16-21, 22-20, 21-17 at the Coliseum on Friday, was born in Hong Kong but moved to North America aged six, and it was there she first picked up a racquet. Early in her career, the 33-year-old decided she would try to compete at the Hong... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3325341/canadian-michelle-li-badminton-dim-sum-and-meeting-50-family-members-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3325341/canadian-michelle-li-badminton-dim-sum-and-meeting-50-family-members-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Sep 2025 11:00:09 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Former badminton world champion Loh Kean Yew said he understood why a new shot clock was being introduced, but cast doubt over how the initiative would work in practice. On Wednesday, the Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) Council said that, for certain world tour tournaments from 2026, it would allow players only 25 seconds between each rally. Singapore’s Loh stormed into the Li-Ning Hong Kong Open quarter-finals with a 21-16, 21-18 victory over Rasmus Gemke on Thursday. The two players were... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3325213/hong-kong-open-singapore-star-loh-kean-yew-questions-divisive-rule-change-seals-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3325213/hong-kong-open-singapore-star-loh-kean-yew-questions-divisive-rule-change-seals-win?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Sep 2025 10:29:45 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Victor Lai Ho-chun was brought crashing back down to Earth with a bump on Tuesday, losing in the qualifying rounds of the Li-Ning Hong Kong Open. Less than 10 days after claiming bronze at the Badminton World Championships, the Canadian, whose parents are from Hong Kong, was stunned 21-12, 21-15 by Hongkonger and world No 40 Jason Gunawan at the Coliseum. Gunawan beat Indonesia’s Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah in the first qualifying round 21-15, 21-13 before knocking out Lai. He will face Alwi Farhan... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3324899/hong-kong-open-jason-gunawan-stuns-victor-lai-badminton-qualifiers-faces-farhan-next?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3324899/hong-kong-open-jason-gunawan-stuns-victor-lai-badminton-qualifiers-faces-farhan-next?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Sep 2025 09:31:01 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse China’s Shi Yuqi said he was “genuinely chuffed” after beating Thai reigning champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the men’s singles badminton world championship final on Sunday. World No 1 Shi outlasted Kunlavut 19-21, 21-10, 21-18 after one hour and 17 minutes on court in Paris to claim his first world championships crown. “People often perceive me as performing better in team events. But in individual competitions, I always give my utmost effort,” Shi told reporters. “This time, finally securing my... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3323856/chinas-shi-genuinely-chuffed-after-winning-world-badminton-championships-gold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3323856/chinas-shi-genuinely-chuffed-after-winning-world-badminton-championships-gold?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Sep 2025 02:33:22 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Akane Yamaguchi beat former world No 1 Chen Yufei of China 21-9, 21-13 on Sunday to win the women’s singles badminton world championship final. The Japanese fifth seed rarely looked troubled on court in Paris and needed just 37 minutes to add a third world title to her gold medals from 2021 and 2022. Chen, a Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist, battled past top seed and reigning champion An Se-young of South Korea in a semi-final win marked by a nasty-looking ankle twist early in the second... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3323829/badminton-world-championships-japans-yamaguchi-beats-chinas-chen-win-third-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3323829/badminton-world-championships-japans-yamaguchi-beats-chinas-chen-win-third-title?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 31 Aug 2025 14:29:58 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse World No 1 Shi Yuqi survived two match points on Saturday to book a world championship final meeting with Thai titleholder Kunlavut Vitidsarn, as top seed An Se-young was upset on the women’s side of the draw. Chinese star Shi battled back from 18-20 down in the second game to beat Canadian youngster Victor Lai 13-21, 22-20, 21-16 and keep his bid for a first world title alive. “I felt an emotional release when this one ended,” a breathless Shi said after 80 gruelling minutes on court. “Lai... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3323801/badminton-world-championships-shi-produces-brilliant-fightback-reach-final-chen-stuns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3323801/badminton-world-championships-shi-produces-brilliant-fightback-reach-final-chen-stuns?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 31 Aug 2025 04:08:17 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Skyrocketing raw material costs in China have caused shuttlecock prices to more than double in recent months as suppliers struggle to meet rising demand from badminton enthusiasts around the world. However, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) said the shortage was not “at a crisis level yet”. “We are aware of the global supply chain challenges and subsequent increases in feathered shuttlecock prices impacting badminton communities around the world,” BWF Secretary General Thomas Lund said in a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3323760/badminton-federation-plays-down-shuttlecock-crisis-amid-rising-china-prices?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3323760/badminton-federation-plays-down-shuttlecock-crisis-amid-rising-china-prices?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 Aug 2025 12:00:15 +0000 Reuters Reuters Victor Lai became the first Canadian to win a Badminton World Championships medal after reaching the men’s semi-finals in Paris on Friday, while champion An Se-young continued to dominate the women’s singles. Unseeded Lai sprang an upset by beating Singapore’s 2021 world champion Loh Kean Yew. The 20-year-old Canadian fell 17-12 down in the first game but kept his composure to overcome the ninth seed 22-20, 21-18 in their quarter-final clash. “Unbelievable, I’m still shocked,” Lai said. “I think... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3323742/singapores-loh-stunned-unseeded-lai-badminton-world-championships?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3323742/singapores-loh-stunned-unseeded-lai-badminton-world-championships?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 Aug 2025 02:46:24 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Pusarla Venkata Sindhu rediscovered her Olympic medal-winning best at the Badminton World Championships in Paris on Thursday, beating China’s Wang Zhiyi to advance to the last eight. Despite struggling through a slump in recent months, Sindhu finally found her feet in the French capital and was too strong for the second seed. The Indian shuttler, a world champion in 2019, had failed to progress beyond the second round in her last nine tournaments. But she rolled back the years with sharp... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3323573/badminton-world-championships-sindhu-rolls-back-years-dump-wang-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3323573/badminton-world-championships-sindhu-rolls-back-years-dump-wang-out?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Aug 2025 02:45:28 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport China’s world No 1 mixed-doubles pair Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping were dumped out of the Badminton World Championships in the second round in Paris on Wednesday, becoming the highest-seeded casualties of the tournament so far. After receiving a first-round bye, the Chinese duo - nicknamed “Phoenix” - opened their campaign against Denmark’s Mathias Christiansen and Alexandra Boje, once ranked as high as eighth in the world. But there was no rising to be done in the French capital, with Feng... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3323442/badminton-world-championships-china-stars-feng/huang-knocked-out-stunning-upset?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3323442/badminton-world-championships-china-stars-feng/huang-knocked-out-stunning-upset?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Aug 2025 05:00:15 +0000 Joseph Sipalan Joseph Sipalan Once, badminton was Malaysia’s undisputed racquet sport of choice, driven by the prodigious talent of Lee Chong Wei, whose dominance on the world stage made him a household name and a hero to millions. But in recent years, fresh challenges have emerged. The rise of pickleball and padel tennis has lured younger generations to air-conditioned courts and glossier facilities, threatening badminton’s long-held supremacy. Lee’s retirement in 2019 after recovering from nose cancer left the sport in... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3323283/malaysias-new-badminton-generation-takes-world-post-lee-chong-wei?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3323283/malaysias-new-badminton-generation-takes-world-post-lee-chong-wei?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Aug 2025 08:00:09 +0000 Reuters,Agence France-Presse Reuters,Agence France-Presse China’s Wang Zhiyi wasted little time in beating Hungary’s Agnes Korosi in the first round of the Badminton World Championships in Paris on Tuesday. The women’s world No 2 won 21-5, 21-4 after 22 minutes, while Chinese third seed Han Yue sailed to a 21-10, 21-16 victory over Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Pin-Chian. Anders Antonsen, the men’s second seed, had few problems getting past Brazilian Jonathan Matias. The Dane was mostly in control throughout the 41-minute match and prevailed 21-15,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3323266/badminton-world-championships-wang-zhiyi-top-seeds-fly-paris?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3323266/badminton-world-championships-wang-zhiyi-top-seeds-fly-paris?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Aug 2025 03:00:14 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Organisers of the Li-Ning Hong Kong Open have staged a coup by persuading double badminton Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen to defend his title when the tournament returns next month. Last year, in his first competition after claiming his second straight Olympic gold in Paris, Denmark’s Axelsen broke his Hong Kong duck by beating China’s Lei Lanxi in a one-sided final. For this year’s event, set for Hong Kong Coliseum from September 9 to 14, Axelsen will be joined in a loaded men’s draw by... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3320849/double-olympic-champion-viktor-axelsen-set-chase-record-hong-kong-open-jackpot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3320849/double-olympic-champion-viktor-axelsen-set-chase-record-hong-kong-open-jackpot?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Aug 2025 12:00:07 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Former Hong Kong badminton player Vincent Wong Wing-ki said the development of emerging sports such as AirBadminton was important, and could be advantageous for the city in its pursuit of good results in every sphere. Wong, who retired from badminton in August 2022, switched to the new version of the sport – which uses the same racquets but different shuttlecocks and is played outdoors – soon after and was part of the city squad that qualified for the World Beach Games in August 2023. However,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3318631/hong-kong-should-gain-some-ground-new-sports-such-airbadminton-ex-badminton-player?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3318631/hong-kong-should-gain-some-ground-new-sports-such-airbadminton-ex-badminton-player?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Jul 2025 00:30:08 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Decorated Hong Kong badminton mixed-doubles pair Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet, who reached the Japan Open quarter-finals on Thursday, said the Asian Games in Nagoya next year would be their final tournament together. Tse, who had a tumour removed from her pelvic cavity earlier this year, renewed her long-term partnership with Tang just two weeks before the Asian Championships in Ningbo in April. There, the left-handed duo won the first continental title of their career, before adding two more... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3318617/hong-kong-mixed-doubles-badminton-duo-tang-chun-man-tse-ying-suet-bow-out-next-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3318617/hong-kong-mixed-doubles-badminton-duo-tang-chun-man-tse-ying-suet-bow-out-next-year?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Jul 2025 13:00:09 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Two-time Paralympic medallist Daniel Chan Ho-yuen hoped to push for more resources from the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to further develop the sport worldwide after being appointed chair of the Para Badminton Athletes’ Commission and a BWF Council member last Thursday. While his chairmanship is technically only until re-elections in December, Chan intended to use his time in the position to improve the conditions for those still playing the sport. “It wasn’t even a Paralympic sport when I... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3315048/hong-kong-ex-paralympian-daniel-chan-aims-improve-badminton-players-lives-new-role?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3315048/hong-kong-ex-paralympian-daniel-chan-aims-improve-badminton-players-lives-new-role?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Jun 2025 09:30:07 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse China’s Li Shifeng clinched his maiden Malaysia Masters title with a 21-11, 21-9 win over India’s K Srikanth in the men’s singles final on Sunday. In doing so, the 25-year-old became the first Chinese badminton player to win the men’s singles title since the tournament’s inception in 2009, breaking his streak of semi-final exits this season. The world No 4 dominated all aspects of the game, from power and net play to precise strokes, leaving no room for Srikanth to make any inroads. Li wrapped... https://www.scmp.com/sport/cricket/article/3311721/chinas-li-shifeng-powers-historic-malaysia-masters-crown-wang-makes-it-double-delight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/cricket/article/3311721/chinas-li-shifeng-powers-historic-malaysia-masters-crown-wang-makes-it-double-delight?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 May 2025 11:30:07 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport China’s players again asserted their dominance in badminton as they overcame arch-rivals South Korea 3-1 to win their 14th BWF Sudirman Cup title in Xiamen on Sunday. It was the fourth straight win for the Chinese and their second in a row over the Koreans, whom they also beat in the final two years ago in Suzhou. Mixed doubles pair Huang Dongping and Feng Yanzhe outlasted Korean duo Chae Yu-jung and Seo Seung-jae 21-16, 17-21, 21-15 in an intense battle at Fenghuang Gymnasium. Women’s singles... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3309027/bwf-sudirman-cup-china-beat-south-korea-title-despite-se-youngs-defiance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3309027/bwf-sudirman-cup-china-beat-south-korea-title-despite-se-youngs-defiance?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 May 2025 11:01:48 +0000 Hong Kong’s Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet grabbed the biggest win of their careers on Sunday, claiming the mixed doubles title at the Badminton Asia Championships. The fifth seeds, who stunned Chinese pair Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin in the semi-finals, denied Japan a first title, beating Midorikawa Daiki and Saito Natsu 21-15, 17-21, 21-13 in little more than an hour at Ningbo Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium. After taking a break from each other at the start of the year, Tang and Tse sealed... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3306335/badminton-asia-championships-hong-kong-duo-claim-sensational-win-japan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3306335/badminton-asia-championships-hong-kong-duo-claim-sensational-win-japan?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Apr 2025 08:06:20 +0000 Japanese badminton star Chiharu Shida has pleaded with fans in China to stop stalking her, saying that she feels “very uncomfortable and very scared”. Shida, who is playing in the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, on Tuesday said on social media that every time she had competed in China in the past 18 months, she had encountered stalkers. The 27-year-old, who won a bronze medal in the women’s doubles at the Paris Olympics last year, is hugely popular in China and is often referred to as... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3305814/stop-stalking-japanese-badminton-star-asks-fans-china-keep-distance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3305814/stop-stalking-japanese-badminton-star-asks-fans-china-keep-distance?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Apr 2025 07:05:18 +0000 Olympic women’s badminton champion An Se-young came from behind to beat China’s Wang Zhiyi 13-21, 21-18, 21-18 in a classic All England Open final on Sunday as top seed Shi Yuqi lifted the men’s crown. World No 2 Wang won the first game convincingly and edged into a 13-10 lead during a captivating second game in Birmingham but the South Korean, who won the title in 2023, pegged her back. Wang scented victory when the scores were tied at 18-18 in the second game but her South Korean opponent took... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3302633/olympic-champion-se-young-wins-all-england-open-chinas-shi-yuqi-takes-mens-crown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3302633/olympic-champion-se-young-wins-all-england-open-chinas-shi-yuqi-takes-mens-crown?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Mar 2025 04:48:39 +0000 Two-time Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen thrashed Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk-yiu to win a record-equalling third India Open badminton title on Sunday. The Dane, who crashed out of this month’s Malaysia Open in the first round, beat Lee 21-16, 21-8, in 41 minutes to add to his 2017 and 2019 crowns in New Delhi. Axelsen equals the record of Malaysian great Lee Chong Wei, who won the India Open in 2011, 2013 and 2014. Axelsen jumped with joy on the winning point and urged the crowd to raise the noise... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3295392/olympic-badminton-champion-axelsen-thrashes-hong-kongs-lee-wins-third-india-open-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3295392/olympic-badminton-champion-axelsen-thrashes-hong-kongs-lee-wins-third-india-open-title?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Jan 2025 13:05:31 +0000 Badminton Olympic champion Huang Yaqiong quit the Chinese national team on Wednesday, saying age and injuries had finally caught up with her. Huang won mixed doubles gold with partner Zheng Siwei at the Paris Olympics last summer, finishing the tournament unbeaten and without dropping a set. The pair had won silver together three years earlier in Tokyo. The 30-year-old also left the French capital with a ring on her finger, with boyfriend Liu Yuchen proposing moments after her title triumph in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3293082/olympic-badminton-champ-huang-quits-chinese-national-team-says-age-injuries-taken-toll?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3293082/olympic-badminton-champ-huang-quits-chinese-national-team-says-age-injuries-taken-toll?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Jan 2025 23:55:10 +0000 A Chinese Taipei men’s doubles badminton team has come under fire for being supporters of an independent Taiwan while competing at the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou. Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin were playing against fellow Chinese Taipei athletes Lee Jhe-Huei and Yang Po-Hsuan when a woman in the stands was heard shouting in Chinese “Lee Yang, you know Taiwan is part of China, right?” Many in the crowd at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Expo Centre cheered the woman’s remarks and united in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3290506/chinese-taipei-mens-badminton-doubles-pair-under-fire-pro-independence-support?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3290506/chinese-taipei-mens-badminton-doubles-pair-under-fire-pro-independence-support?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Dec 2024 10:30:08 +0000 Chinese badminton fans have accused Anders Antonsen of bad sportsmanship and claimed a referee was bias after the world No 2’s controversial 2-0 win over Li Shifeng on Wednesday. Antonsen beat China’s Li 21-14, 21-18, in the first group stage game of the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, and the home fans did not take it well. The Dane was winning 18-17 in the final game when controversy struck, with one of the line judges coughing as the 27-year-old hit the shuttlecock into the net. The... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3290416/china-badminton-fans-hammer-world-no-2-antonsen-after-danes-controversial-win-over-li?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3290416/china-badminton-fans-hammer-world-no-2-antonsen-after-danes-controversial-win-over-li?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Dec 2024 02:30:09 +0000 Chinese badminton star Zheng Siwei has announced his retirement at the age of 27, saying he does not want to be only defined as an “Olympic champion” and “achieving more titles holds little appeal to me”. Zheng won gold in mixed doubles at the Paris Olympics, three years after picking up silver at the Tokyo Games. He was one of the 65 Chinese Olympians who visited Hong Kong in August to share their experiences with residents. The three-time world champion, who plays with Huang Yaqiong, will... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3288615/chinese-olympic-gold-medallist-zheng-retirement-shock-says-titles-hold-little-appeal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3288615/chinese-olympic-gold-medallist-zheng-retirement-shock-says-titles-hold-little-appeal?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Nov 2024 04:28:42 +0000 Double Olympic badminton champion Viktor Axelsen cruised to his maiden Hong Kong Open title on Sunday, beating China’s Lei Lanxi 21-9, 21-12. The Dane had not dropped a game all week in his first tournament since winning gold in Paris and took just 44 minutes to dispatch Lei 21-9, 21-12 at the Hong Kong Coliseum. It was Axelsen’s second Badminton World Federation tour title this year after his win at the Malaysia Masters and he said he was “a bit surprised but happy”, because maintaining his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3278620/olympic-badminton-champion-axelsen-wins-maiden-hong-kong-open-title-han-takes-womens-crown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3278620/olympic-badminton-champion-axelsen-wins-maiden-hong-kong-open-title-han-takes-womens-crown?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Sep 2024 14:00:15 +0000 Two of the global stars competing at this week’s Hong Kong Open have moved beyond the confines of the badminton court to try to establish a legacy in the city. Viktor Axelsen, the two-times Olympic gold medallist, and 2021 world champion Loh Kean Yew provided personal guidance to seven students who are weighing up whether to pursue employment within the sporting sphere. Professionals with expertise in attracting, staging and promoting major sporting occasions are at a premium, as Hong Kong bids... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3278386/olympians-viktor-axelsen-loh-kean-yew-offer-guidance-hong-kong-youth-sports-careers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3278386/olympians-viktor-axelsen-loh-kean-yew-offer-guidance-hong-kong-youth-sports-careers?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Sep 2024 09:30:09 +0000 Hongkonger Jason Gunawan will aim for his biggest giant-killing act yet when he takes on Anthony Ginting of Indonesia in the quarter-finals of badminton’s Hong Kong Open on Friday. A day after knocking out 11th-ranked Kenta Nishimoto of Japan, world No 56 Gunawan claimed another scalp at the BWF World Tour Super 500 event at Hong Kong Coliseum on Thursday. He dispatched 28th-ranked Christo Popov of France 21-16, 21-9 to reach the last eight of the tournament for the first time and set up a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3278285/bwf-world-tour-indonesian-ginting-biggest-test-yet-jason-gunawan-hong-kong-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3278285/bwf-world-tour-indonesian-ginting-biggest-test-yet-jason-gunawan-hong-kong-open?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Sep 2024 11:30:09 +0000 Viktor Axelsen recorded a commanding victory over hometown hopeful Angus Ng Ka-long at badminton’s Hong Kong Open on Wednesday evening. The Dane showed some of the form that brought him a second successive Olympic gold in Paris last month, as he dispatched Ng 21-11, 21-12 at Hong Kong Coliseum. Earlier, Ng’s fellow Hongkonger Lee Cheuk-yiu, who also featured at the Paris Games, managed a 21-18, 21-19 victory over China’s Lu Guangzu. Lee was not the only recent Hong Kong Olympian in action, with... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3278146/bwf-world-tour-olympic-champion-viktor-axelsen-shows-angus-ng-no-mercy-hong-kong-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3278146/bwf-world-tour-olympic-champion-viktor-axelsen-shows-angus-ng-no-mercy-hong-kong-open?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Sep 2024 14:37:17 +0000 Hong Kong’s new women’s doubles badminton pairing of Lui Lok-lok and Tsang Hiu-yan got off to a winning start at the Hong Kong Open, to the delight of fans enjoying free admission at the Coliseum on Tuesday. The duo came back to beat Taiwan’s Hu Ling-fang and Jheng Yu-chieh 18-21, 21-15, 21-16 in the round of 32 at the BWF World Tour Super 500 event. Lui said she and Tsang had been nervous, which contributed to them losing the first game. “But we rediscovered our rhythm and connected well later... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3278001/bwf-world-tour-olympian-pair-beaten-several-locals-get-past-hong-kong-open-qualifiers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3278001/bwf-world-tour-olympian-pair-beaten-several-locals-get-past-hong-kong-open-qualifiers?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Sep 2024 13:49:00 +0000 Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen says he is embracing the responsibility of being a cheerleader for badminton, as the sport battles to capture global attention outside the Games spotlight. Axelsen, who became only the second man to win successive Olympic singles golds in Paris this summer, begins his quest for a first Hong Kong Open title against home player Angus Ng Ka-long at Hong Kong Coliseum on Wednesday. The Dane put his racquet away after “going to war” in the French capital, and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3277906/olympic-champion-viktor-axelsen-aims-keep-badminton-spotlight-hong-kong-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3277906/olympic-champion-viktor-axelsen-aims-keep-badminton-spotlight-hong-kong-open?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Sep 2024 07:00:07 +0000 Singapore badminton star Loh Kean Yew said he was “finding my new self” on the match court after becoming a father two months ago. Former world champion Loh, who begins his Hong Kong Open campaign against home favourite Lee Cheuk-yiu on Tuesday, missed the birth of his first child to prepare for this summer’s Olympic Games. Loh reached the quarter-finals in Paris, where he was beaten by eventual champion and close friend Viktor Axelsen, before finally meeting his newborn during a fortnight’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3277815/singapore-star-loh-kean-yew-playing-new-sons-diapers-and-formula-hong-kong-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3277815/singapore-star-loh-kean-yew-playing-new-sons-diapers-and-formula-hong-kong-open?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Sep 2024 12:30:15 +0000 An emotional Chan Ho-yuen said he had started to miss wheelchair badminton even as he was fighting for gold at the Paris Paralympics on Monday. Before the Games began, the 39-year-old said that, with injuries finally catching up with him, these Games would be his last tournament. But he had vowed to “change the colour” of his medal after picking up bronze in Tokyo three years ago. And while he had an eye on bowing out with gold around his neck, Chan was well beaten by top seed Daiki Kajiwara of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3276997/paris-paralympics-2024-chan-ho-yuen-misses-wheelchair-badminton-even-he-wins-final-medal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3276997/paris-paralympics-2024-chan-ho-yuen-misses-wheelchair-badminton-even-he-wins-final-medal?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Sep 2024 09:30:07 +0000