Badminton Asia Team Championships 2026: Japan (men) and Korea (women) win their first titles
In Qingdao in February 2026 both finals ended 3-0 against host China.
Japan's men
Japan beat host China 3-0 in the men's final in Qingdao, winning the title for the first time, according to The Star and Badminton Asia. Yushi Tanaka beat Hu Zhean 21-10, 21-18; Kakeru Kumagai and Hiroki Nishi beat He Jiting and Ren Xiangyu 21-17, 14-21, 21-15 in 66 minutes; and Koki Watanabe beat Zhu Xuanchen 22-24, 21-17, 21-18 in 87 minutes. China were the defending champions; Japan had been runners-up in 2016.
Korea's women
Badminton Asia reports that Korea beat China 3-0 in the women's final for their first women's title: An Se-young beat Han Qianxi 21-7, 21-14, Baek Ha-na and Kim Hye-jeong beat Jia Yifan and Zhang Shuxian 24-22, 21-8, and Kim Ga-eun won the third match 19-21, 21-10, 21-17. Korea had lost the final in 2020 and 2022. This women's result rests on one source.
Looking ahead
The Star wrote the next day that Japan were "a dangerous prospect" for the Thomas Cup in April. The final of that cup went to China, as we reported separately.
Why it matters
Two federations broke through against the strongest team in Asia on its home court, a sign of the depth in Japan and Korea.