BIRMINGHAM, England – In a stunning display of resilience and skill, South Korea’s Seo Seung-jae and Kang Min-hyuk have captured the men’s doubles title at the 2026 All England Open Badminton Championships, defeating Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik 2-1 in a thrilling final on Sunday, March 8th (local time). The victory marks the first time a Korean men’s doubles team has won the prestigious tournament in consecutive years since 1985-86, when Park Joo-bong and Kim Moon-soo achieved the feat.
The world No. 1 Korean pair overcame a shaky start to ultimately triumph with a scoreline of 18-21, 21-12, 21-19. The match, lasting one hour and three minutes, showcased the dynamic partnership that has propelled Seo and Kang to the pinnacle of the sport. This win solidifies their position as a dominant force in men’s doubles badminton.
The All England Open holds a special place in badminton history, and this victory resonates deeply within Korean sporting circles. The last time a Korean men’s doubles team stood atop the podium at this event for two years running was four decades ago, a testament to the current duo’s exceptional achievement. Park Joo-bong and Kim Moon-soo, who previously held this record, went on to turn into Olympic champions in 1992, further cementing their legacy in the sport.
Seo Seung-jae has already established himself as a major force in the badminton world, having won both the men’s and mixed doubles titles at the 2023 World Championships, earning him and An Se-young the BWF Player of the Year awards that same year. Kang Min-hyuk, who paired with Seo Seung-jae at the beginning of 2025 after winning a silver medal in mixed doubles at the Paris Olympics, has proven to be a perfect complement to Seo’s aggressive style. Together, they have achieved an unprecedented 11 BWF World Tour titles in a single season, a record for any doubles pairing.
The final wasn’t without its challenges. Seo and Kang dropped the first game, falling behind and struggling to discover their rhythm. They lost the opening game 18-21 after a late surge from the Malaysians. But, they demonstrated their championship mettle by regrouping and dominating the second game, taking control early and securing a decisive 21-12 victory.
The third game proved to be a nail-biter, with both teams trading leads. The Malaysian duo initially gained an 8-3 advantage, putting pressure on the Koreans. But Seo and Kang relentlessly fought back, narrowing the gap and eventually seizing the lead with a crucial run of points at 15-16, ultimately closing out the match 21-19.
While the men’s doubles team celebrated a historic victory, the results weren’t as favorable for other Korean competitors. Lee So-hee and Baek Ha-na lost in the women’s doubles final, falling to China’s Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning 0-2 (18-21, 12-21). World No. 1 An Se-young too suffered a defeat in the women’s singles final, losing to China’s Wang Zhiyi 0-2.
Despite the mixed results, Seo Seung-jae and Kang Min-hyuk’s triumph stands as a significant moment for Korean badminton. Their back-to-back All England Open titles not only bring glory to the nation but also inspire a new generation of players. The pair’s next scheduled tournament is yet to be announced, but fans eagerly await their continued success on the world stage.
The All England Open, a cornerstone of the badminton calendar, continues to deliver thrilling competition and unforgettable moments. For Seo Seung-jae and Kang Min-hyuk, this victory will undoubtedly be remembered as a defining moment in their careers, etching their names into the annals of Korean badminton history.
