BIRMINGHAM, England – In a stunning turn of events at the 2026 All England Open, Chinese Taipei emerged victorious, dethroning China as the dominant force in badminton. The tournament, widely considered one of the most prestigious in the sport – alongside the World Championships and Olympic Games – witnessed a shift in power as Taipei Chinese players secured gold medals in both men’s singles and mixed doubles.
The All England Open holds a unique place in badminton history, being the oldest tournament in the sport and a Super 1000 event, signifying its importance within the Badminton World Federation (BWF) system. For years, China has consistently topped the medal table at this event, a testament to the depth and quality of their national program. Last year, Shi Yuqi claimed the men’s singles title, while Guo Xinwa and Chen Fanghui triumphed in mixed doubles.
However, this year’s competition unfolded with a different narrative. The Chinese team faced a near-total defeat, losing the gold medals they had won in the previous edition to their rivals from Chinese Taipei. The upset began with a surprising early exit for Shi Yuqi in the men’s singles draw. The path to the final was paved by India’s Lakshya Sen, ranked 12th in the world, who defeated both Shi Yuqi and Li Shi Feng (seeded 6th).
On the other side of the bracket, Lin Chun-Yi, too ranked 11th, orchestrated a series of upsets, overcoming three of the top five seeded players: Christie, Popov, and Kunlavut. This set the stage for a captivating final against Sen.
In the men’s singles final, Lin Chun-Yi continued his impressive form, securing a convincing victory over Lakshya Sen with a score of 21-15, 22-20. This historic win marked the first time a player from Chinese Taipei had claimed the men’s singles title at the All England Open. The match, lasting nearly an hour (57 minutes precisely), saw Lin capitalize on Sen’s apparent fatigue, a lingering effect from a grueling semi-final match where Sen battled cramps and a blister.
Li Chun Yi celebrates his men’s singles title win at the 2026 All England Badminton Championships – Photo: BWF
The triumph for Chinese Taipei didn’t stop there. In the mixed doubles final, the unseeded duo of Ye Hong Wei and Nicole Chan further stunned the competition, defeating the French pair of Gicquel and Delrue 21-19, 21-18. Remarkably, Ye and Chan, ranked 15th in the world, navigated the tournament without being among the seeded players, showcasing an impressive run of victories.
While the tournament is still ongoing for other categories, Chinese Taipei has already secured two gold medals, establishing themselves as strong contenders for the overall title at this year’s All England Open. Lakshya Sen’s journey to the final was also notable, as he battled through cramps during his semi-final win against Victor Lai, highlighting the physical demands of elite badminton. Sen ultimately fell short, becoming the second runner-up at the All England Open, having previously reached the final in 2022.
This victory for Chinese Taipei represents a significant moment for the nation’s badminton program and signals a potential shift in the competitive landscape of the sport. The All England Open, with its rich history and prestige, continues to be a proving ground for the world’s best badminton players, and this year’s edition will be remembered for the unexpected rise of Chinese Taipei.
The win for Lin Chun-Yi marks his fifth consecutive victory over Lakshya Sen. Prakash Padukone (1980) and Pullela Gopichand (2001) remain the only Indian players to have won the prestigious title.
The tournament continues, with further matches scheduled throughout the week. Fans can follow updates and results on the official Badminton World Federation (BWF) website.
