BWF World Championship is being held in India after 17 years. This tournament will be held in New Delhi from 17 to 23 August. In men’s singles, many big players including current world champion Xi Yu Qi and India’s Lakshya Sen will fight for the title.
The BWF World Championships are returning to India after a gap of 17 years. This time, the men’s singles competition will see many big stars of the game as well as a new generation of emerging talents. According to a release, the prestigious tournament will be held from August 17 to 23 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, bringing together the world’s top badminton players for one of India’s premier events.
There is an impressive field set to compete at this championship, with the men’s singles draw expected to be one of the biggest attractions. It will showcase established champions as well as rising stars on the global circuit. Here are five players who have the potential to leave their mark on the championship.
Eyes will be on these 5 players
Shi Yu Qi (China)
Reigning world champion and current world No. 1, Shi Yu Qi is coming to New Delhi as one of the biggest contenders for the title. The Chinese star, considered one of the most complete players on the circuit, is known for his deceptive strokeplay, tactical intelligence and ability to control rallies, the release said. After finishing runner-up at the 2018 World Championships, Xi completed her comeback story by winning her first world title in 2025. With multiple Super 1000 titles and Thomas Cup wins under his belt, the 30-year-old will be keen to defend his crown on Indian soil.
main achievements:
- Gold Medal – BWF World Championships (2025)
- Silver Medal – BWF World Championships (2018)
- Thomas Cup Champion (2018, 2024)
- former world number 1
Kunlawut Vitidsarn (Thailand)
Very few players have experienced the same success as Kunlawut Witidsarn. The Thai star became the first player in history to win three consecutive BWF World Junior Championships and then easily made his way into the senior ranks. He created history by becoming Thailand’s first men’s singles world champion in 2023 and followed that up with an Olympic silver medal at the Paris 2024 Games. “With exceptional movement, remarkable patience and the ability to withstand pressure, Kunlavut has established himself as one of the toughest opponents on the world circuit and remains a leading contender for a second world title,” the release said.
main achievements:
- Gold Medal – BWF World Championships (2023)
- Silver Medal – Paris 2024 Olympic Games
- Three-time World Junior Champion (2017, 2018, 2019)
- former world number 1
Christo Popov (France)
French badminton has found its new star in Christo Popov. Still in his early twenties, Popov has emerged as one of Europe’s leading men’s singles players through fearless aggressive badminton and remarkable consistency on the HSBC BWF World Tour. The big turning point in his career came in 2025 when he became the first French player to reach – and win – the prestigious BWF World Tour Finals, defeating reigning world champion Shi Yu Qi in the final. That historic win firmly established him among the world’s top players and made him one of the biggest threats in New Delhi, the release said.
main achievements:
- HSBC BWF World Tour Final Champion (2025)
- First French men’s singles player to win a BWF World Tour final
- Multiple BWF World Tour titles
- Among the world’s top-ranked men’s singles players
Lakshya Sen (India)
No Indian men’s singles player will get more attention than Lakshya Sen. The Almora-born shuttler has been India’s flag-bearer in this category over the past few years, combining fearless aggressive play with remarkable consistency on the biggest stages. Lakshya won a bronze medal at the 2021 World Championships, then helped India make history by winning the Thomas Cup in 2022 and later won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. At the Paris Olympics, he became the first Indian man to reach the Olympic men’s singles semi-finals, and ultimately finished fourth – the country’s best ever Olympic result in the event. With the support of the enthusiastic home crowd, Lakshya will be determined to add another World Championships medal to his account.
main achievements:
- Bronze Medal – BWF World Championships (2021)
- Gold Medal – Commonwealth Games (2022)
- Thomas Cup Champion (2022)
- 4th place – Paris 2024 Olympic Games
- former world number 6
Victor Lai (Canada)
Victor Lai has been one of badminton’s biggest success stories in the past year. The Canadian player created history by becoming the first Canadian player to win a medal at the BWF World Championships by securing a bronze medal in Paris in 2025. She then successfully defended her Pan Am Championships title and then produced the biggest result of her career at the 2026 Indonesia Open. Lai defeated several of the world’s top players that week, including home favorite and world No. 5 Jonathan Christie in the final, and became the first Canadian to win a BWF Super 1000 title. Equipped with explosive pace, fearless attacking play and growing confidence against the world’s best players, Lai arrives in New Delhi as one of the most dangerous underdogs of the tournament.
main achievements:
- Bronze Medal – BWF World Championships (2025)
- First Canadian to win a medal at the BWF World Championships
- Indonesia Open (Super 1000) Champion (2026)
- First Canadian to win a BWF Super 1000 title
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianetnews Editorial staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)