Badminton Olympic champion An Se-young stated Friday she is ready to play through lingering left foot pain as she departs for New Delhi to compete in the BWF World Championships.
The 2026 BWF World Championships will take place in New Delhi from August 17-23, marking India's first hosting since 2009. The Grade 1 event awards no prize money but offers a maximum 14,500 ranking points.
New Delhi is set to host the BWF World Championships 2026 from August 17 to 23 at the Indira Gandhi Arena, marking the tournament's return to India after 17 years with a full national contingent.
Ayush Shetty draws top seed Shi Yuqi in the first round of the BWF World Championships, while PV Sindhu seeks an unprecedented sixth medal, facing Sophia Noble in her opener.
Five reigning BWF World Champions, including Shi Yu Qi and Akane Yamaguchi, arrive in New Delhi for the August 17-23 tournament at the Indira Gandhi indoor stadium, aiming to defend their titles amidst high pressure.
India has hosted 36 international sports events since 2025 and plans more, while actively pursuing its bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics under a new IOC selection process. The country is addressing venue infrastructure issues, particularly at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, ahead of major championships.
India hosts BWF World Championships in New Delhi, marking 17 years since the last Indian staging in Hyderabad. The event celebrates India's badminton transformation, from relying on Saina Nehwal to producing multiple world-class players like PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth, and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy & Chirag Shetty, with 14 World Championships medals since 2011.
