It was a dramatic final day of action at the Thomas & Uber Cup 2026, the biennial world team championship in badminton.

The Republic of Korea earned its second Uber Cup title in the last three stagings, beating the People's Republic of China 3-1 on Sunday (3 May) in Horsens, Denmark.

The Chinese men were able to prevail in their championship clash with France, however, needing nearly four-and-a-half hours to win by the same scoreline, 3-1.

It marked their second win in a row (2024) and 13th overall for China in the 34th edition of the event. 

He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu secured the triumph with a doubles victory over Eloi Adam and Leo Rossi 21-13, 21-16 after earlier singles wins by Weng Hong Yang and Shi Yu Qi over the famed French Popov brothers.

Earlier, Korea's Baek Ha Na and Kim Hye Jeong overcame Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian 16-21, 21-10, 21-13 to seal the victory in the Uber Cup, with Team Korea storming the court in celebration.

The Republic of Korea now has wins in the Uber Cup in 2010, 2022 and 2026. China was looking for a record 17th team title, having beaten the Koreans in seven championship tilts dating back to 1988.

Paris 2024 Olympic champion and world No. 1 An Se Young opened the day with a win for the Koreans over No. 2 Wang Zhi Yi 21-10, 21-13, before the Chinese levelled matters at 1-1 with a doubles triumph.

Kim Ga Eun put the Republic of Korea in the driver's seat with an upset win over Chen Yu Fei, the world No. 17 shocking the fourth-ranked Chen 21-19, 21-15.

Credits: Olympics.com