China ends eight-year wait for men's doubles world title

Wang Chang (left) and Liang Weikeng win the men's doubles title at the 2026 BWF World Championships. [Photo/IC]

Ningbo shuttler Wang Chang and partner Liang Weikeng secured the men's doubles title at the 2026 BWF World Championships in New Delhi on Aug 23, ending China's eight-year wait for a world championship in the event.

The Chinese duo defeated Malaysia's Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik 21-17, 21-16 in the final, claiming their first world title together. They also became the fifth Chinese men's doubles pair to win the world championship.

The victory marked the end of a challenging stretch. Seeded third, Wang and Liang faced tough competition, going to three games in their first match and again in the round of 16. They managed to come back from a one-game deficit and a late setback in the decider to beat Denmark's Anders Skaarup Rasmussen and Kim Astrup 21-19.

They then advanced through the quarterfinals and semifinals in straight games before reaching their first World Championship final.

Wang and Liang have been one of the world's leading men's doubles pairs since joining forces in 2022. They became the world's top-ranked men's doubles pair in 2023 and won bronze at that year's World Championships, marking their best performance to date.

After several major tournament titles, the World Championship was the major prize still missing from their collection. This time, they completed the journey with a two-game victory in New Delhi.