Lee So-hee and Baek Na-ga win women's doubles title, ending 31-year wait for South Korea

South Korean women's doubles pair Lee So-hee and Baek Na-ga have conquered the world stage, securing a monumental victory at the 2026 World Badminton Championships. This triumph marks a significant achievement, ending a 31-year drought for South Korean women's doubles badminton on the world stage.

The formidable duo, ranked third in the world, faced off against China's top-ranked pair, Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning, in the final held in New Delhi, India. Lee and Baek delivered a dominant performance, clinching the championship title with a decisive 2-0 victory (21-15, 21-15).

This win is particularly sweet as it overcomes a historical head-to-head disadvantage the South Korean pair had against their Chinese counterparts. Their commanding performance in the final demonstrated a new level of skill and determination, solidifying their status as world champions.

The victory represents the first time since 1995 that South Korea has claimed the women's doubles world title, a testament to the resurgence and talent within the nation's badminton program. Lee and Baek's success is expected to inspire a new generation of players.