Highlights of the World Championships

The TOTAL BWF World Championships celebrated its 25th edition in Basel. Here are the highlights of the August 19-25 event:

Never Too Old

With their third title together, Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan continued to relish a prolific year, in which they won the All England and the New Zealand Open, besides finishing runners-up at four events. Setiawan’s overall fourth title made him the oldest-ever winner of a World Championships gold medal – particularly significant as the ‘Daddies’ had split after the Rio Olympics and spent a year with other partners.

A First for India

Pusarla V Sindhu is finally world champion.

After two bronze and two silver medals, it was finally time for gold for Pusarla V Sindhu. The Indian’s stiffest challenge came in the quarterfinals against Tai Tzu Ying, where she weathered the deceptive offerings of the world No.1 in three hard-fought games. Once she was through, there was no stopping her, as she breezed past Chen Yu Fei and 2017 nemesis Nozomi Okuhara to claim India’s first ever gold medal at the World Championships. What added to the occasion was that it was her mother’s birthday.

Momota’s Milestone

Kento Momota does it again!

Since winning Japan’s first men’s singles gold at the World Championships last year, Kento Momota had shown signs of fallibility, which made him far from certain to retain the crown. However, the Japanese was outstanding throughout the week in Basel, not dropping a game in six matches. Anders Antonsen was expected to be a difficult opponent in the final, but Momota was in a higher class, resulting in perhaps the most one-sided men’s singles final in history. Momota thus became the only non-Chinese men’s singles player to win two gold medals.

Matsumoto/Nagahara’s Dream Spell

Matsumoto and Nagahara showed great composure under pressure.

A similar record was achieved by Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara in women’s doubles, as they became the first non-Chinese pair in that category to win a second title. It was almost not to be, as their compatriots Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota nearly pulled off one of the great escape acts in finals history. Having lost two match points last year, Fukushima and Hirota levelled from five match points down before holding a match point of their own. Matsumoto and Nagahara however refused to be deflated and picked off the last three winners to claim the crown.

In a League of their Own

There was no stopping Zheng Si Wei and Huang Ya Qiong.

Few pairs have beaten Zheng Si Wei and Huang Ya Qiong over the last two years. Among these pairs are Hafiz Faizal/Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja, Yuta Watanabe/Arisa Higashino and Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai. It was interesting, therefore, that the defending champions were to face all three pairs in their campaign – but they ran through their stiffest opposition barely breaking a sweat. With the exception of the opening match, against Mark Lamsfuss/Isabel Herttrich when they dropped a game, Zheng and Huang set a standard that no one could approach. The final saw a 21-8 21-12 demolition job of Puavarnukroh/Taerattanachai, making Zheng/Huang one of only three pairs – Park Joo Bong/ Chung Myung Hee and Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei being the others – to defend their title.

Glory for Japan

Just three months ago Japan, favourites for the Sudirman Cup, fell apart in the final to China. What a dramatic turnaround it has been since then, with Japan enjoying their most successful World Championships and China suffering their worst!

The Japanese had five finalists overall, while China had only one. With Tokyo 2020 a year away, there couldn’t have been more auspicious signs for the Land of the Rising Sun.

Thai Sparkle

Another high in Kantaphon Wangcharoen’s young career.

Among the young players to make a mark at the World Championships was Thai 20-year-old Kantaphon Wangcharoen. The youngster continued to build on a remarkable 2019 by making the semifinals, beating top players like Kidambi Srikanth and Chou Tien Chen on the way.

Thailand enjoyed their most successful World Championships, with a silver (Puavarnukroh/Taerattanachai) and two bronze (Ratchanok Intanon and Wangcharoen).

World Championships News

Lessons Learnt, Parting Perspectives

Lessons Learnt, Parting Perspectives

14 September 2019
Kidambi Srikanth – A Search for Form

Kidambi Srikanth – A Search for Form

13 September 2019
Momota, in the Eyes of his Opponents

Momota, in the Eyes of his Opponents

12 September 2019
Recap: Upsets at the World Championships

Recap: Upsets at the World Championships

10 September 2019
Recap: Memorable Matches of the World Championships

Recap: Memorable Matches of the World Championships

8 September 2019
Played ‘Two’ Perfection – Basel 2019

Played ‘Two’ Perfection – Basel 2019

4 September 2019
Badminton, Ice Hockey and the World Championships

Badminton, Ice Hockey and the World Championships

4 September 2019
Three-Event Titan – 25th Edition World C’ships

Three-Event Titan – 25th Edition World C’ships

3 September 2019
Legends of ’77 – 25th Edition World C’Ships

Legends of ’77 – 25th Edition World C’Ships

31 August 2019
Para Badminton Event Comes to a Close – Basel 2019

Para Badminton Event Comes to a Close – Basel 2019

27 August 2019
Wristy Trickery Wins the Day – Basel 2019

Wristy Trickery Wins the Day – Basel 2019

26 August 2019
Great Comeback Falls Short – Basel 2019

Great Comeback Falls Short – Basel 2019

26 August 2019
Mixed Doubles ‘Great Wall’ Intact – Basel 2019

Mixed Doubles ‘Great Wall’ Intact – Basel 2019

26 August 2019
Antonsen Bows to Momota’s Class – Basel 2019

Antonsen Bows to Momota’s Class – Basel 2019

25 August 2019
Gold – At Last! – Basel 2019

Gold – At Last! – Basel 2019

25 August 2019
Poveda Makes It a First for Peru – Basel 2019

Poveda Makes It a First for Peru – Basel 2019

25 August 2019
Legend Who Broke Records and Paved the Way for Future Stars – 25th Edition World C’Ships

Legend Who Broke Records and Paved the Way for Future Stars –...

25 August 2019
Ray’s a Real Sport – 25th Edition World C’Ships

Ray’s a Real Sport – 25th Edition World C’Ships

25 August 2019
China Take Two Gold – Basel 2019

China Take Two Gold – Basel 2019

25 August 2019
‘Upsetting’ Night for China – Basel 2019

‘Upsetting’ Night for China – Basel 2019

24 August 2019
Antonsen’s ‘Insane’ Dream – Basel 2019

Antonsen’s ‘Insane’ Dream – Basel 2019

24 August 2019
Glasgow ’17 on the Cards – Basel 2019

Glasgow ’17 on the Cards – Basel 2019

24 August 2019
Five Down, Seventeen to Go – Basel 2019

Five Down, Seventeen to Go – Basel 2019

24 August 2019
Sindhu Assures Herself: Tomorrow Will Be Different

Sindhu Assures Herself: Tomorrow Will Be Different

24 August 2019
Para Badminton Athletes Turn It Up a Notch – Basel 2019

Para Badminton Athletes Turn It Up a Notch – Basel 2019

24 August 2019
Flaming Dane Set Courts Aglow – 25th Edition World C’Ships

Flaming Dane Set Courts Aglow – 25th Edition World C’Ships

24 August 2019
Antonsen Delivers for Europe – Basel 2019

Antonsen Delivers for Europe – Basel 2019

23 August 2019
Du/Li Stand Tall After 2-Hour Epic – Basel 2019

Du/Li Stand Tall After 2-Hour Epic – Basel 2019

23 August 2019
Kantaphon Leads Thailand’s Record Haul – Basel 2019

Kantaphon Leads Thailand’s Record Haul – Basel 2019

23 August 2019
Sensational Session for India – Basel 2019

Sensational Session for India – Basel 2019

23 August 2019
Tall Order for Standing Men – Basel 2019

Tall Order for Standing Men – Basel 2019

23 August 2019
Crowd Pleasing Superstar – 25th Edition World C’Ships

Crowd Pleasing Superstar – 25th Edition World C’Ships

23 August 2019
Teenage Shuttler Meets His Idol – Basel 2019

Teenage Shuttler Meets His Idol – Basel 2019

23 August 2019
Wheelchair Top Seed Toppled – Basel 2019

Wheelchair Top Seed Toppled – Basel 2019

23 August 2019
‘Two’ Much Trouble! – Basel 2019

‘Two’ Much Trouble! – Basel 2019

22 August 2019
Intanon Survives Scare – Basel 2019

Intanon Survives Scare – Basel 2019

22 August 2019
BWF Statement – TOTAL BWF World Championships 2019

BWF Statement – TOTAL BWF World Championships 2019

22 August 2019
Belated Birthday Blitz! – Basel 2019

Belated Birthday Blitz! – Basel 2019

22 August 2019
Back Problem Doesn’t Stall Jia Min – Basel 2019

Back Problem Doesn’t Stall Jia Min – Basel 2019

22 August 2019
Girl Power – Basel 2019

Girl Power – Basel 2019

22 August 2019
Group Rounds Move into Main Draw – Basel 2019

Group Rounds Move into Main Draw – Basel 2019

22 August 2019
Lessons from the Seventies – 25th Edition World C’Ships

Lessons from the Seventies – 25th Edition World C’Ships

22 August 2019
Women Getting in Gear – Basel 2019

Women Getting in Gear – Basel 2019

21 August 2019
German Shock for Fifth Seeds – Basel 2019

German Shock for Fifth Seeds – Basel 2019

21 August 2019
I Feel at Home says Mroz – Basel 2019

I Feel at Home says Mroz – Basel 2019

21 August 2019
The Power of the Mind – Basel 2019

The Power of the Mind – Basel 2019

21 August 2019
Minions Crash Land at Worlds Yet Again – Basel 2019

Minions Crash Land at Worlds Yet Again – Basel 2019

21 August 2019
Suzuki Banks on Experience Over Age – Basel 2019

Suzuki Banks on Experience Over Age – Basel 2019

21 August 2019
Nagahara ‘Mixing It Up’ – Basel 2019

Nagahara ‘Mixing It Up’ – Basel 2019

20 August 2019
Jia Min Ousts Top Seed – Basel 2019

Jia Min Ousts Top Seed – Basel 2019

20 August 2019
Lin’s Challenge Sputters Out – Basel 2019

Lin’s Challenge Sputters Out – Basel 2019

20 August 2019
Mazur On Track to Retain Crown – Basel 2019

Mazur On Track to Retain Crown – Basel 2019

20 August 2019
Trading One Set of Wheels for Another

Trading One Set of Wheels for Another

20 August 2019
Ouseph Exits Stage, Bids Goodbye – Basel 2019

Ouseph Exits Stage, Bids Goodbye – Basel 2019

19 August 2019
Chou Survives Danish Test  – Basel 2019

Chou Survives Danish Test – Basel 2019

19 August 2019
A Title Dedicated to a Battle Against Cancer

A Title Dedicated to a Battle Against Cancer

19 August 2019
Draw Provides an Even Playing Field for All

Draw Provides an Even Playing Field for All

18 August 2019
Para-llel Event a Unique Experience for Badminton Fraternity

Para-llel Event a Unique Experience for Badminton Fraternity

18 August 2019
An Occasion to Cherish for Jaquet – Basel 2019

An Occasion to Cherish for Jaquet – Basel 2019

18 August 2019
‘100 Watt Smash’ that Lit Up Lausanne – 25th Edition World C’Ships

‘100 Watt Smash’ that Lit Up Lausanne – 25th Edition World C’Ships

17 August 2019
Preview: Worlds of Opportunity

Preview: Worlds of Opportunity

17 August 2019
By Chou’s Side

By Chou’s Side

16 August 2019
Satwik/Chirag to Miss World Championships

Satwik/Chirag to Miss World Championships

16 August 2019
Indian Pair Blazes a Trail

Indian Pair Blazes a Trail

15 August 2019
Awesome Threesome of SU5 – Para Badminton World C’Ships

Awesome Threesome of SU5 – Para Badminton World C’Ships

14 August 2019
Life Lessons, From Coach Kim Ji Hyun

Life Lessons, From Coach Kim Ji Hyun

14 August 2019
Free of Pressure, Antonsen Senses His Chance

Free of Pressure, Antonsen Senses His Chance

13 August 2019
Ahsan/Hendra Play it Cool Despite Hot Form

Ahsan/Hendra Play it Cool Despite Hot Form

11 August 2019
England Duo Anticipate Fruitful Week in Basel

England Duo Anticipate Fruitful Week in Basel

10 August 2019
Women’s Singles Re-Draw – TOTAL BWF World Championships 2019

Women’s Singles Re-Draw – TOTAL BWF World Championships 2019

9 August 2019
Winny Will Need Support: Liliyana Natsir

Winny Will Need Support: Liliyana Natsir

8 August 2019
Sports Upbringing Gives Edge to Poveda

Sports Upbringing Gives Edge to Poveda

7 August 2019
World Championships Draw Released

World Championships Draw Released

5 August 2019
Marin, Shi Join Axelsen on Sidelines

Marin, Shi Join Axelsen on Sidelines

5 August 2019
New Para Badminton Chapter Unfolds in Basel

New Para Badminton Chapter Unfolds in Basel

1 August 2019
Injured Axelsen Withdraws From World Championships

Injured Axelsen Withdraws From World Championships

31 July 2019
From Malmo to Basel – 25th Edition World C’Ships

From Malmo to Basel – 25th Edition World C’Ships

30 July 2019
Famous Five and the Good Old Days – 25th Edition World C’Ships

Famous Five and the Good Old Days – 25th Edition World C’Ships

19 July 2019
Revisiting a Hero: Sigit Budiarto

Revisiting a Hero: Sigit Budiarto

11 July 2019
History Beckons Zhang Nan

History Beckons Zhang Nan

10 July 2019
Chen To Lead China’s Charge

Chen To Lead China’s Charge

9 July 2019
19 Days Left To Register for World Coaching Conference

19 Days Left To Register for World Coaching Conference

26 June 2019
Marin on the Mend and Eyes Return

Marin on the Mend and Eyes Return

22 June 2019
Two Months To Go – World C’Ships Countdown

Two Months To Go – World C’Ships Countdown

19 June 2019
Li & Liu – Stepping Up When It Matters

Li & Liu – Stepping Up When It Matters

7 June 2019
Ivanov & Sozonov Rekindle The Fire

Ivanov & Sozonov Rekindle The Fire

3 June 2019
Tien Minh – Veteran Still Chasing His Dreams

Tien Minh – Veteran Still Chasing His Dreams

2 June 2019
Confidence Boost for Dutch Duo

Confidence Boost for Dutch Duo

1 June 2019
Matsumoto & Nagahara: Rapid Ascent to Pinnacle

Matsumoto & Nagahara: Rapid Ascent to Pinnacle

8 May 2019
Tai Eases into Top Gear

Tai Eases into Top Gear

25 April 2019
Zhao Yunlei Star Speaker at Coaching Conference

Zhao Yunlei Star Speaker at Coaching Conference

24 April 2019
‘The Physical Level Has Gone Up’

‘The Physical Level Has Gone Up’

22 April 2019
Memories of Lausanne 1995

Memories of Lausanne 1995

20 April 2019
Momota Sets the Pace, but Speedbreakers Lurk

Momota Sets the Pace, but Speedbreakers Lurk

18 April 2019
BWF and Total Celebrate Five Years of Partnership

BWF and Total Celebrate Five Years of Partnership

18 April 2019
Badminton Thrust into Bright Lights – World C’Ships

Badminton Thrust into Bright Lights – World C’Ships

13 March 2019
Gold and Glory for Arbi – Throwback ’95 World C’ships

Gold and Glory for Arbi – Throwback ’95 World C’ships

19 February 2019
GoDaddy Extends Major Events Partnership with BWF

GoDaddy Extends Major Events Partnership with BWF

11 February 2019
Star speakers assembled for BWF World Coaching Conference 2019

Star speakers assembled for BWF World Coaching Conference 2019

30 January 2019
Singles Champions – Down the Ages

Singles Champions – Down the Ages

20 December 2018
Celebrating 25 editions of the BWF World Championships

Celebrating 25 editions of the BWF World Championships

20 December 2018
PARTNERS