China Dominates South Africa at World Junior Mixed Team Championships
At the 2026 BWF World Junior Mixed Team Championships, the Chinese national youth team secured a 2-0 victory over South Africa during the second round of group-stage play.
The tournament features a newly implemented relay scoring format. Each team tie consists of five individual disciplines: men’s singles, women’s singles, women’s doubles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Under the updated rules, every individual game awards up to 11 points, with a maximum cap of 55 points per set, utilizing a best-of-three sets format.
First Set Establishes Total Control
Opening the tie with a commanding performance, the Chinese squad swept the first set 55-20 against South Africa. Men’s singles player Hong Tianyue set the tone early by defeating Bredell 11-4. Zhang Yixin followed in women’s singles, completely dictating the pace in an 11-2 victory over Chloe Lai. In the women’s doubles encounter, Tu Yichen and Li Menghan combined to overcome Vigario and Pretorius 11-8. Shi Sichen and Xiang Yujin added an 11-2 win in men’s doubles against Emily Lee and Niyayesh, before Tu Yichen returned alongside Zheng Weigang to take the mixed doubles match 11-4 over Dedenham and Tonde.
Lineup Rotation Secures Second-Set Sweep
Entering the second set, the coaching staff deployed a fresh rotation while maintaining their dominance to close out the match with a 55-16 scoreline. Hong returned for the men’s singles rotation, overpowering Dedenham 11-1. Liu Siya then claimed an 11-7 women’s singles victory over Emily Lee following a closely contested battle. Tu Yichen and Li Menghan secured an 11-4 decision in women’s doubles against Vigario and Chloe Lai, while Shi Sichen and Xiang Yujin repeated their 11-1 scoreline in men’s doubles. Tu Yichen and Zheng Weigang capped the afternoon with an 11-3 win in mixed doubles.
Upcoming Group Stage Encounter Against Turkey
Following this result, the Chinese youth team prepares to face Turkey in their next group fixture. This upcoming match carries significant weight for group standings and tournament advancement as the squad pursues the Suhandinata Cup.
