Five defending champions set for BWF World Championships return to New Delhi

The BWF World Championships return to India after seventeen years, bringing five reigning champions to New Delhi ready to defend their crowns. The field includes singles title-holders Shi Yu Qi and Akane Yamaguchi, alongside holders in the doubles and mixed events.

India will host the World Championships once again after a seventeen-year gap, and a group of title-holders have made the trip with the clear aim of retaining their trophies. Shi Yu Qi and Akane Yamaguchi are both aiming to keep hold of their respective singles crowns. In doubles, Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae and Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning come in as defending pairs. Chen Tang Jie/Toh Ee Wei seek to prove their mixed doubles win was just the start.

The men’s and women’s singles defending champions remain central storylines as they prepare for matches on New Delhi courts. Both Shi Yu Qi and Akane Yamaguchi carry the expectations that accompany world titles, and their presence shapes early tournament narratives. Their efforts to repeat top-level performances will be watched closely by observers of the draw.

On the doubles front, Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae and Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning arrive charged with the task of holding on to partnerships that delivered world gold previously. Their campaigns will test whether those pairings can reproduce the coordination and form necessary to overcome a deep field. Success for either duo would underscore continuity at the summit of men's and women's doubles.

In mixed doubles, Chen Tang Jie/Toh Ee Wei aim to build on prior success as they return to defend the title they won. That pairing’s challenge will be to convert past triumph into a sustained run under the pressure of being reigning champions. How they respond to opponents targeting their crown will be a point of interest throughout the competition.

The championships’ return to New Delhi after seventeen years sets the stage for several high-stakes title defenses. The performance of these five reigning champions will be a defining thread of the tournament as they seek to retain the honours they currently hold.