Shi Yuqi reaches Badminton Asia Championships semifinals and prepares to defend 2026 World title

At the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, Shi Yuqi secured a place in the men's singles semifinals, keeping his Olympic qualification hopes for Paris 2024 alive. His advancement, alongside other Chinese contenders, comes as the tournament serves as a final ranking‑points opportunity for Asian players.

Shi Yuqi, the current world No. 1 and 2025 world champion, is set to defend his title at the 2026 BWF World Championships in New Delhi, India. Organisers highlight the event’s potential for upsets, recalling the surprise results of the 2009 Indian edition, and stress the challenge of maintaining dominance on unfamiliar courts.

The dual focus on his immediate Asian Championship performance and the upcoming world‑title defence underscores Shi’s position at the forefront of international badminton.