▲ National badminton team head coach Park Joo-bong answers questions from reporters after returning home via Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 following the 2026 Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Championships.
The national badminton team has returned home in triumph after once again proclaiming South Korea's golden age to the world by capturing two gold medals and one bronze medal at the BWF World Championships, the sport's most prestigious stage.
Led by head coach Park Joo-bong, the South Korean team arrived at Incheon International Airport today after achieving a remarkable feat of reaching the podium in three out of five events at the 2026 BWF World Championships, which concluded in New Delhi, India.
"I am glad to have achieved great results at a major tournament ahead of the Asian Games," Park said, expressing his determination. "We will prepare our best for the Asian Games with the goal of achieving the same results as this tournament."
At this tournament, South Korea secured dazzling results, highlighted by the flawless victory of an unstoppable An Se-young (Samsung Life Insurance), a surprise gold medal in women's doubles, and a valuable bronze medal in men's doubles, where they were a strong candidate for gold.
In particular, An Se-young shook off a one-month injury layoff in her first tournament back, unleashing relentless golden smashes to secure her second career World Championships title.
"I had many concerns due to the lingering effects of her injury, but skipping the previous two tournaments actually helped her physically," Park praised, adding, "Unlike the past when she would sometimes look stiff in the first and second rounds, this time she maintained consistent and flawless performance from the opening hurdle all the way to the final. She must be satisfied with herself as well."
The performance of the women's doubles pair Lee So-hee and Baek Hana (Incheon International Airport) also shone brightly.
Breaking a five-match losing streak against world number one Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning of China, they brought South Korea its first women's doubles World Championships gold medal in 31 years, since Gil Young-ah and Chang Hye-ock won at the 1995 Lausanne World Championships in Switzerland.
"We thoroughly researched patterns to avoid getting dragged into the formidable Chinese pair's fast drive game," Park reviewed. "Our players' solid defense caused the opponents to self-destruct."
On the other hand, Park offered encouragement mixed with a hint of regret regarding the men's doubles bronze medalists Seo Seung-jae and Kim Won-ho.
After reigning as absolute powerhouses last year by claiming 11 titles—tying the record for the most wins in a single season—they have not won a title in their last five tournaments, but continue to regularly reach the podium with two silver and three bronze medals.
"Our semifinal opponents, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia, decided to split up after this tournament, which may have allowed them to play without pressure, resulting in the best play I've ever seen from them," Park analyzed. "Our adaptation to the opponents' fast tempo was late and our response was inadequate, but as we have had sufficient feedback with the players, we will achieve better results at the Asian Games."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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