배드민턴 이소희·백하나 짝, 31년 만에 세계선수권 우승

South Korean badminton duo, Lee So-hye and Park Han-na, have claimed their first-ever World Championship title after 31 years, defeating the world's top Chinese pair, Liu Shenshu and Tang Zian, 2-0 in the final of the 2026 BWF World Championships in New Delhi. This victory marks a significant milestone for the Korean women's team, who had not won a World Championship title since 1995 when they paired with Kim Jin-young and Jeong Hye-ok in Switzerland.

The Korean duo had been world number three in women's doubles and had reached the pinnacle of the sport at the highest international stage. However, their final opponent, Liu Shenshu and Tang Zian, were perceived as their greatest rivals, as they had been on a losing streak against them in previous matches, including the Beijing Open semifinals and five international tournaments.

In contrast, the World Championships provided a fresh platform for the Korean pair, who played a calm and composed game, breaking the Chinese duo's rhythm with precise attacking and defending. Once the Korean team took the lead, they held on to their advantage, winning the 67th consecutive rally with composure to secure the gold medal.

Upon their victory, the Korean players celebrated on the court with their teammates and coaches as fans cheered them on.