Toma Junior Popov Claims World Number One Ranking

French player Toma Junior Popov climbed to world number one in men’s singles for the first time with 89,932 points in the Badminton World Federation rankings released on Oct. 27, 2026.

Popov Claims Top Spot as Rankings Shift

Toma Junior Popov secured the number one ranking following consistent performances during the 2026 season, capped by high-value points earned at the French Open. His total of 89,932 points places him 467 points ahead of second-ranked Kunlavut Vitidsarn, making him the second player born in the 2000s to reach the summit of the men’s singles division.

The updated standings leave the Chinese national team with only a single representative inside the men’s singles top ten.

Feng and Huang Secure Third Mixed Doubles Title

At the French Open on Oct. 25, 2026, China’s Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping defeated Malaysia’s Hoo Pang Ron and Cheng Su Yin in straight games to claim the mixed doubles crown. The victory marks the first time any pair has won three consecutive mixed doubles titles at the tournament.

The win represents the fifth BWF World Tour title of the season for Feng and Huang, moving them temporarily to the top of the tour finals qualification standings. In the men’s doubles final at the same event, Malaysia’s Wan Arif and Junaidi Arif overcame teammates Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin in a comeback.

An Se-young Reaches Tenth Title of the Season

South Korea’s An Se-young captured her tenth title of 2026 by defeating India’s Pusarla V. Sindhu in the women’s singles final on Oct. 25. After dropping the opening game, An rallied to win 16–21, 21–11, 21–12.

The victory also marks An’s third straight French Open women’s singles title, lifting her season win-loss record to 66–1.

Shida Returns to Competition and Joins Chinese League

Japan’s Chiharu Shida returned to the court on Oct. 28, 2026, following a four-month layoff. Shida partnered with Ririna Hiramoto at the French Open before confirming her transfer to the Xiamen Bank club for the 2026–2027 China Badminton Super League season.

Fifteen-Point Scoring System Set for January Implementation

The BWF confirmed that the 3×15 scoring system approved by member associations on April 25, 2026, will officially take effect on Jan. 4, 2027. The format replaces the 21-point system used for nearly two decades, instituting a best-of-three games structure played to 15 points per game.

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