Japan's Akane Yamaguchi dominated the BWF World Championships women's singles final on Sunday, securing her third world title with a decisive 21–9, 21–13 victory over China's injured Olympic champion Chen Yufei. Chen, who twisted her ankle during a grueling semifinal clash against World No. 1 An Se-young, struggled visibly despite taking eight painkillers pre-match, limiting her mobility and turning the anticipated showdown into a one-sided contest.
Yamaguchi's relentless precision and aggressive play left little room for drama, underscoring her status as one of badminton's most consistent performers. 'I focused on controlling the pace and exploiting gaps,' Yamaguchi said post-match, while Chen praised her opponent's strategy: 'She deserved this win.'
In other highlights, Malaysia celebrated a historic milestone as Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei stunned China's Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin 21–15, 21–14 in mixed doubles, claiming Malaysia's first-ever world championships gold in the category. Meanwhile, South Korea's Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae triumphed in men's doubles, overpowering Chinese debutants Chen Boyang and Liu Yi 21–17, 21–12.
The event highlighted both the physical toll of elite competition and Asia's deepening dominance in global badminton, with athletes from the region securing all five titles.
